Empowering Dreams

Your Stories

• "We can ill afford to have a college degree be obtained only by those who have a certain zip code or who have certain levels of financial income. It’s incumbent upon us as graduates to do the best we can do in organizing how we raise money, how we manage those monies, how we invest those monies to get the best return possible and how we distribute that."  
  — Mr. Richard Phillips '65 '68 '72
• “I started off with a scholarship in my freshman year. It kept me going and kept me focused, because without the scholarship who knows where I would be? I probably wouldn’t be here.”
  — Marlesha Whitt, Interior Design Major
• "While I was on campus, I was also the president of Panhellenic Council which was a really great experience and a tremendous learning opportunity for me. I was able to be exposed, not just to the women in my chapter, but all of the different sororities and the fraternities, as well. I really enjoyed that experience, and it helped prepare me for leadership after college,"  
  — Sarah Osborne '02
• "I really appreciate the generous support that the alumni have extended. When I graduate this year, I plan to go to law school, and the scholarships have helped me to achieve my goal so far. Without the scholarships, it wouldn’t be possible for me to even think of going into those professional degrees. You are helping and changing lives in a positive way. You are helping the university and you are helping them build a better future."  
  — Farhan Din, Conservation Enforcement Biology Major
• "What I want to do ‘post career’ is give back, helping other people, doing things for others, so that they may have some of the opportunities that I got, because people came before me and gave when they didn’t have to. I learned to be a good student at the University of Central Missouri. If you work hard, the rewards can be great and that’s my biggest takeaway."  
  — Rand Harbert '85
• "I am a first-generation college student. I want to set an example for my little brother and sister and show them that you can go find a job, but if you go to college, you will have so many more opportunities. The University has provided our alumni with an opportunity, and now that they are able to give back it really makes UCM a home for everybody and makes everyone connected, no matter who you are."  
  — Asia Smith-Davis, Fashion Textiles & Clothing in Business Major

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