Helping dreams come true
TU honors its donors and students during the annual Foundation Scholars Luncheon
By Kyle Hobstetter on May 14, 2018
In Jesselyn Manning’s family, college was never really spoken about. Just bringing up the idea of going to college was difficult for her.
It wasn’t until she started to get scholarship offers that her family realized that she was serious about continuing her education. Today, thanks to the Towson University Foundation, Manning is finishing her first year as a biology major at TU.
“Receiving my scholarship was really the icing on the cake for me,” Manning said. “When I started working hard and getting the scholarships I was working for, my family realized I was ready to put the effort into going to college. It was amazing to get my family on board and to continue my education.”
Manning was just one of hundreds of students who participated in the May 11 Foundation Scholars Luncheon in the University Union’s Chesapeake Rooms. The annual event enables the scholarship and financial aid recipients to meet and talk with donors, faculty and staff.
Thousands of TU students rely on scholarships and financial aid to help further their education. The foundation administers 464 scholarship funds, awarding over $1.5 million in financial aid to 831 students last year.
According to Brian DeFilippis, TU vice president for university advancement, 74 percent of TU’s students have applied for financial aid. When he took the stage last Friday, DeFilippis made sure to thank the donors in attendance for their continuing support for higher education.
“Your support helps our students engage and explore,” he said. “Some of you worked at TU, many of you are alumni and some even have no connection. But what you all share is the common belief that a Towson University education absolutely makes a difference in the lives of our students — and in the communities that they will live in.”
In attendance were Carl and Joan Runk. Carl Runk was a TU employee for over 40 years, teaching physical education, health and sign language. He was also heavily involved with the athletic department, serving as the first head coach for the football team and as head coach for men’s lacrosse.
As they reached the end of Carl’s tenure at TU, the Runks decided to give back to the university by donating to the Towson University Foundation. On their way to the luncheon, they decided to drive a little slower, just to see how much the university has changed over the years.
“It’s fun to come over here,” Carl Runk said through a smile. “[Donating to TU] is like giving back. You’re with a young person who might have struggled a bit financially, and you’re able to help a bit. It means the world to us.”
In addition to sitting with the students they’ve helped, donors heard presentations from three students who had benefited from foundation scholarships.
Katera Kellywood ’18 was the final speaker. She received the Dr. Frank R. Milio Book Endowment and Charlotte W. Newcombe Endowed Scholarship for Mature Students.
After being receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Kellywood packed her belongings and traveled to TU to study forensic chemistry.
But early in her college career, she discovered TU’s deaf studies program. During her speech, she reminisced about being raised by her deaf grandfather on a Navajo reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico. It was her relationship with her grandfather that led her to double-majoring in both forensic chemistry and deaf studies.
But adding more classes to her schedule pushed Kellywood’s graduation date forward, and her G.I. Bill® would end a few semesters before she completed her degree requirements. Her forensics chemistry adviser told her about the scholarships offered by the foundation.
With the help of these scholarships, Kellywood will be graduating this December.
“I assure you the little Navajo girl inside me is shocked that she’s on her way to making her dreams come true,” Kellywood said. “Thank you to my donors for giving me the chance to prove how scholarships are changing my life. Because of you, I don’t have to worry about how I’ll be paying tuition. Because of you I realized my self-worth. Because of you I’m going to be a first-generation college graduate. And because of you my grandfather will be able to see me walk across that stage on graduation day.”
Other featured student speakers included:
- Samuel Cano Gutierrez ‘18, recipient of the Cello Scholarship and the Peggy Friedmann-Gordon Music Competition
- Tabitha A. Hoskins ’18, recipient of the Kahlert Foundation Scholarship for Towson UTeach.
The Foundation Scholars Luncheon was the penultimate event of TU’s Celebration of Excellence series. The series takes place over the final two months of the academic term and is designed to celebrate the success and outstanding accomplishments of faculty, staff and students.
The final event of this year’s celebration will be the Distinguished Alumni and Dean’s Recognition Awards Ceremony on May 24 in the University Union’s Chesapeake Rooms.