Tarleton State University receives major gifts for Student Emergency Fund

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 9, 2020

STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Financial assistance is available for Tarleton State University students facing hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the generosity of the school’s foundation and an anonymous donor.

The lead gift of $20,000 from the Tarleton State University Foundation Inc. and an anonymous donation of $50,000 to the Student Emergency Fund are making it possible for Tarleton Texans to continue their university education during these challenging times. Since a call for applications earlier this week, more than 340 students have requested help.

Students with financial stress and struggling to stay enrolled are eligible for assistance. Visit www.tarleton.edu/studentaffairs/emergency-relief for criteria and to apply. Students with questions about the process should contact the assistant vice president for student affairs, Dr. Mike Leese, at [email protected].

To support the Student Emergency Fund, contribute online at donate.tarleton.edu.

“Our students need us now more than ever,” said Tarleton President James L. Hurley. “Because of the novel coronavirus, many have lost jobs, have parents who’ve been unexpectedly thrown into unemployment, or both. Despite the uncertainly we all face, one thing remains constant: Texans help Texans.

“Whether it’s a donation now to our Student Emergency Fund or on May 5 when we align our annual Giving Day with Giving Tuesday Now, A Global Day of Unity, every gift received will help our most vulnerable students stay in school, earn their degrees and build a better future for themselves and our region.”

Rocky Hardin, chairman of the Tarleton State University Foundation’s board of directors, noted the school’s mission and a promise to help burdened students, no matter the circumstance. “In times like these, we need to come together to help our students continue to achieve their educational goals,” he said.

“The foundation is proud to help in any way we can and has agreed to support the Student Emergency Fund to help Tarleton Texans who have no other resources to support themselves.”

Quickly established by the foundation and others in response to the 2016 tornado that ripped through Stephenville, the Student Emergency Fund continues to assist Tarleton students who find themselves in need due to a sudden change in financial status, loss of employment or other obstacles that may affect their academic success, said Vice President for Student Affairs Kelli C. Styron.

The Division of Student Affairs manages the fund.

“Today the fund is primarily focused on assisting students impacted by financial fallout related to the coronavirus,” Dr. Styron added. “Whether it is a personal situation such as a job loss, a car accident or major repair, a family crisis, an injury, a home fire or an emergency due to a natural disaster like a tornado or the coronavirus pandemic, Texans know how to help.”

Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.

Contact:
Cecilia Jacobs, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications
254-968-1620
[email protected]

A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of nearly 17,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. True to Tarleton’s values of excellence, integrity and respect, academic programs emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.
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