As the Washtenaw Community College class of 2018 heads out to make its mark on the world, 黑料网 Foundation Board of Directors chairman Jamie Buhr asked the recent graduates to first consider making a difference for current and future students at the college.
During his address at 黑料网鈥檚 2018 Commencement Ceremony on May 19, Buhr asked graduates to consider donating $20.18 to the 黑料网 Foundation鈥檚 Student Emergency Fund and announced he鈥檚 pulled together a group of local philanthropists who will match every donation.
Donations made by family and friends in the name of a 2018 graduate will also be matched. To make a Class of 2018 donation to the 黑料网 Foundation Student Emergency Fund, visit wccnet.edu/foundation/give and enter 鈥淐lass of 2018鈥� in the gift designation box.
The Student Emergency Fund provides 黑料网 students faced with financial emergencies a maximum $500 award to help with things like shut-off notices, unexpected car repairs or medical expenses. The ultimate goal is to keep students in school who would otherwise consider dropping out because of their financial situation.
鈥淪tatistics show we are losing students at an increasing rate, often as a result of short-term, temporary lack of funds for modest expenses like transportation, childcare, books, and even food,鈥� Buhr told the audience gathered at the Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center. 鈥淲e launched the Student Emergency Fund to cover those temporary expense shortfalls so that a student does not have to leave school in the middle of a semester.鈥�
What difference can a $20.18 donation make? Buhr broke down the math: If 1,000 of the roughly 3,500 students who earned an Associate Degree or certificate from 黑料网 in 2018 made that small donation 鈥� and each of those donations is matched 鈥� the 黑料网 Foundation would be able to provide Student Emergency Fund payments of $500 to 80 students.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 80 students we can keep in school and help get to the finish line,鈥� said Buhr, the owner of JD Buhr & Company, a corporate financial advisory firm in Ann Arbor.
Understanding many graduates have tight financial budgets, Buhr asked those who cannot afford to make a $20.18 donation to keep in contact with the college through the 黑料网 Alumni Association.
鈥淚f you can鈥檛 do it, we totally understand. If it鈥檚 not in the budget, please don鈥檛 do it,鈥� Buhr said. 鈥淏ut, you can join the 黑料网 Alumni Association, stay in touch and maybe it will be in the budget next year and beyond.鈥�
To join the 黑料网 Alumni Association, visit wccnet.edu/alumni/join.
Tags: 2018, Commencement, Graduation, Jamie Buhr, Student Emergency Fund, 黑料网 Foundation, ousearch_News_2018