THE OHIO FOUNDATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES (OFIC)
AWARDS 910 SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS

October 29, 2004

The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges’ (OFIC) Ohio Scholars Program announces that it has awarded 910 scholarships, totaling more than $1.7 million to students enrolled in its 35 member colleges for the 2004-2005 academic year.

The Ohio Scholars Program, in its fourteenth year, is funded by 110 corporations and foundations whose contributions provide scholarships to highly qualified students who might otherwise find the cost of a higher education prohibitive. “Especially now that families in our region are dealing with the effects of an economic downturn, scholarship support can be the single most critical factor in the decision to encourage a student to get a college degree. OFIC scholarships, established through the generosity of our donors, help to bridge the gap between education costs and student financial aid packages,” says Jeffrey S. Wolf, President, OFIC.

Following are statements from students attending OFIC member colleges expressing gratitude to their scholarship donors.

Tobias Stafford, a student at Ashland University, thanked his scholarship donor, the John B. Firestone Charitable Trust, Akron. “Thank you for selecting me to receive the John B. Firestone Charitable Trust scholarship. It comes at a very needed time in my life, as I am hitting many obstacles in affording tuition. Between the cost, both mental and monetary, of my father’s passing recently, and the costs of much needed house repairs, things have been very tight for my family. This gift is very appreciated and will help me to continue my dream of obtaining my degree from Ashland University.”

Dana Wobser, a senior at Walsh University, wrote to her scholarship donor, Deloitte & Touche, Cincinnati, “This scholarship means more than you could possibly imagine! Ever since I was in kindergarten and I decided I wanted to go to college, my father told me that if I got the grades to get into school, he would split all costs with me. He stuck to his part of the deal. Unfortunately a few months ago my father lost his job of 23 years, and because of this, he was unsure if he would be able to help me this year. I was worried if I would be able to come up with the money, but your scholarship put me at ease! My grandmother always told me that good things happen to good people at good times, and this is a great thing at a great time!”

Amber Gruters, a senior from Auglaize County attending Franciscan University of Steubenville wrote to Dominion, her Cleveland-based scholarship donor, “Thank you for selecting me for the Dominion scholarship. I am very grateful for this assistance. My father is 100% disabled from his experience as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and I have six brothers and sisters. My parents have always stressed a college education as a vital component in achieving our goals.”

Brian Kinnison, a junior from Darke County who attends Ohio Dominican University and received a scholarship from American Electric Power, Columbus, writes, “I am on my own for my entire financial package, as I have lived with my grandparents since my junior year of high school. So, without companies like American Electric Power, I would not be here today. Through ODU, I am working in Mexico for Adventures in Mission. I really appreciate companies like you who through their scholarships allow me to give something back to others even while I am still in college.”

Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio is located in Dayton and has awarded scholarships to students at Antioch College and Urbana University. Emily Forrest, a senior Communications major at Urbana says, “As a full-time student I have come to realize that although college is expensive, the lessons in life as well as academics will pay for themselves over and over again as I move on from this experience. The diversity of the student body and faculty has allowed me to explore different cultures and beliefs. I do not believe that I can say thank you enough for the money I am receiving from Vectren for this school year.”

Brian Thompson, a Muskingum College sophomore, was awarded a scholarship from Lyden Co., Toledo. Thompson says, “This scholarship will help my family immensely because I have an older brother who is also a university student, and putting two kids through college can get very expensive.” Jacob Ruhe, who also received a Lyden Co. scholarship, attends Oberlin College double majoring in English and Cinema Studies. He worked this summer at a plastic molding factory and thanks Lyden Co. “for helping me fulfill my educational dreams.”

The University of Findlay student Kimberly Feller received a scholarship from Cooper Tire & Rubber Company in Findlay. She reports “I have wanted to attend The University of Findlay since I was in junior high school. My family shared this wish, but I knew that our finances would probably not allow me to attend. However, hard work during high school and the help of donors like the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company have made college possible.”

Advanced Drainage Systems in Hilliard has awarded scholarships to six Marietta College students. First-generation college student Joel Howdyshell selected Marietta College because of its well-established opportunities for personal growth and gaining career skills. Marketing major Kelsey McNamara says, “I don’t even know how to begin to thank you for your generosity. Without your financial donation, my family would not be able to continue to send me to Marietta College.”

The Ada & Helen Rank Charitable Trust in Canton, supports students from Stark County, including Christine Welch, a second-year student at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus. Welch says, “The year I graduated from high school, my father was diagnosed with cancer. I am the oldest of three children, as well as the first to attend college. It has been a tough year for us. There are no family funds to pay for my college education. I am very thankful for this scholarship.”

Owens-Illinois, Inc. in Toledo has awarded scholarships to eight African-American or Hispanic students from Northwest Ohio, including Ranel Jacobs, who is studying Japanese at Wittenberg University and hopes to work in an allied health career. She is the youngest of four children and the first in her family to attend college. Last year her father suffered several heart attacks and has been unable to return to work. Approaching her parents about going to school this year was out of the question. “It wasn’t until I placed a call to the Financial Aid Office the week before school was to start that I realized I had been offered this scholarship and others. Within a week, I was packed,” she wrote in her thank you letter.

Ohio Scholars Program donors are recognized at various levels of giving, from Associate’s Club ($2,500 minimum) to Founder’s Club ($100,000 and above). All scholarship recipients are selected based on recommendations from their colleges and meet criteria established by the donor corporations. These criteria may include area of study, academic standing, geographic region or ethnicity, to name just a few.

The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges was founded in 1950 to conduct annual solicitations of companies and foundations to benefit private colleges in Ohio. OFIC today has 35 member institutions and more than 94,000 students. OFIC raises both unrestricted and restricted gifts including scholarships and endowments. Unrestricted gifts are largely used for student financial aid.