Education is an investment, one that’s expenses put many students in difficult situations. Some students work multiple jobs or prepare to take out loans. Others may even question where their next meal will come from. Though hardships vary across campus, the cost of higher education is a financial burden to many people.
Students at Southern Utah University are able to survive these struggles through the support of others. Whether it’s scholarships, emergency funds or program development campaigns, there are many resources designed to lessen the financial load. Here at SUU, students have all of T-Bird Nation to lean on, including alumni, friends of the university and even fellow students.
A survivor’s story
One student who has been the beneficiary of donations is Braxton Quarnberg. He is a business administration major at SUU that plans to pursue his MBA through the school’s program. Quarnberg and his wife are both the recipients of multiple scholarships.
“These scholarships have helped me not just to survive but thrive,” Quarnberg said. “It does help me be able to afford the necessities — food, housing, utilities — but in conjunction with work … it will allow me and my wife to save up for our future family.”
For many students, school is seen as a financial setback. In Quarnberg’s case, these scholarships have turned education into a stepping stone toward his future rather than a road block. With the support of scholarships, the Quarnbergs are able to treat higher education as it was intended: a time to foster skills and build a brighter future.
The heartbeat of SUU
Here at SUU, the scholarships and donations that make education possible are administered by the Office of Advancement, where Becky Jakubowski works as the manager of annual giving. Any gift toward the university that is less than $5,000 is counted under the annual giving umbrella. However, according to Jakubowski, “This job is [really] about donor education and reaching out to all donors.”
There are many donation opportunities around campus, especially under the sector that she manages. Jakubowski stressed the importance of making sure alumni and friends of the university are aware of all their available options.
“Pretty much everything on campus is one way or another here because of a donor,” she said.
“Whether it’s through time, whether it’s through money … everything has been given.”
Tuition at Southern Utah University only covers one-third of the cost of education. This means that, even beyond the support of scholarships, the larger portion of a student’s education is made possible through donations.
For instance, these funds have allowed our science and film departments to afford their cutting-edge equipment and technology, as well as give many of our programs the budget to afford speakers, workshops and conferences. Gifts help the university grow and increase the value of education while still keeping the price relatively low.
T-Bird Strong
Much of the time, donations come from entities outside of the university, but there are many opportunities for current students to support their fellow T-Birds. One example is the T-Bird Strong Emergency Fund, established just a few years ago.
“The T-Bird Strong Student Emergency Fund was started during Covid and when we had the floods a couple years ago,” Jakubowski said. “We had students donate to it, the community donated to it, to help bridge those gaps that were created because of Covid and the flooding.”
After seeing how this fund was able to support students in need, the school decided to continue the campaign post-pandemic. The main function of this fund is to help students carry on their education after an unforeseen emergency. Oftentimes, the difference between continuing in school and dropping out is just a few hundred dollars. Using this fund, the university is able to cover that distance and provide a little extra support during times of crisis.
While many fundraising campaigns are marketed toward those already graduated and with established careers, the T-Bird Strong Emergency Fund is often targeted at students. Because it doesn’t require a large donation amount, it’s a great opportunity for students to aid their peers.
The T-Bird Strong webpage emphasizes how seemingly small gifts can make a large impact. A $5 gift could provide a student with a meal, $10 will help accommodate rising transportation fees and $25 can cover a medical copay. When small giving is done consistently and in synergy with others, it can help students survive.
Days to Give
SUU encourages students to support each other and makes opportunities to do so available at various events. One of the biggest ones is SUU’s annual Thank A Giver Day, known colloquially as TAG Day. This event raises students’ awareness of the donors that make their education possible and allows them to express their gratitude. It also gives students the chance to become a donor for a day.
Last year, stations were set up with QR codes that lead students to SUU’s giving page. They were encouraged to make a $5 donation, then entered into a drawing for a $250 scholarship. This March, SUU will hold its first-ever day of giving: Giving Thor’s-Day.
“It’s going to be with students, it’s going to be with parents, it’s going to be with alumni and friends of the university, and it will last for 32 hours,” Jakubowski explained. The Advancement Office plans on merging elements of TAG Day into this event, including student giving, while also introducing further ways for students to be involved in fundraising.
A thriving T-Bird Nation
College years are not easy, but they don’t have to be done alone. T-Bird Nation is fortunate to be a tight-knit community, filled with donors who truly care about education in southern Utah. This life-changing generosity doesn’t just come from the pockets of SUU graduates and local businessmen but also from fellow students on campus.
As Jakubowski said, “It doesn’t take much to make a difference.”
When you have your fellow T-Birds’ backs, they have yours. To learn more about the importance of donating and to keep an eye out for giving opportunities, check out the University Advancement website.
Author: Heather Turner
Photographer: Asher Swan
news@suunews.net
This article was originally published in the December 2023 edition of the University Journal.
