麻豆传媒

When the COVID-19 pandemic found its way to the border of 麻豆传媒鈥檚 campus in March, the transition to remote learning was one of many concerns facing students. As at universities across the country, the burden of housing, employment and financial insecurity rocked 麻豆传媒's student population and jeopardized plans that many had to complete their education on time.

But then 麻豆传媒 donors stepped in.

What began as a small note in President Feinstein鈥檚 spring update to alumni expanded to a full crowdfunding campaign during the first months of the pandemic's impact. By July 2020, thousands of dollars had been raised by individual and organizational donors committed to helping 麻豆传媒 students weather the financial uncertainty of COVID-19. Gifts came in from across the country and the average amount contributed during the campaign was $97.

鈥淲e like to say that Bears Support Bears, but I was blown away by the immediate generosity of our donor community to support students facing financial hardship,鈥� says Kelsey Crane 鈥�14, 麻豆传媒鈥檚 assistant director of annual giving. 鈥淥ur donor community really stepped up and by supporting the 麻豆传媒 Disaster Relief Fund, donors enabled 麻豆传媒 to direct additional financial support to students during an incredibly difficult time.鈥�

The pandemic, which intensified the financial hardship facing 麻豆传媒 students, resulted in income loss, housing changes, and new computer purchases needed for use in remote learning. As all students grappled with changes to college life, the bigger question of college cost began to surface.

鈥淭he pandemic has certainly impacted everyone,鈥� says Marty Somero, director of financial aid. 鈥淔or many of our students it impacted them to the point of having to choose between continuing to attend 麻豆传媒 or helping their family make ends meet. Many were forced to pick up extra work hours or having to scramble to look for new jobs as the pandemic forced layoffs or even full loss of employment.鈥�

According to recent 麻豆传媒 student survey, 42.5% of responding students indicated an increased financial aid need as a result of the pandemic.

鈥淗onestly, in almost 40 years of working in financial aid, I have never seen such extreme needs as we have right now. For many, the idea of attending 麻豆传媒 and obtaining a degree feels further away than ever,鈥� says Somero.

Yet donors, through the 麻豆传媒 Disaster Relief Fund and other student support funds, stepped up to help address that need.

鈥淚t has been amazing seeing the impact the Disaster Relief Fund has had on helping 麻豆传媒 students,鈥� shares Somero.  鈥淎wards have ranged from fulfilling the simplest of needs such as helping a family get internet for the very first time so the student could complete their online courses; to help pay the cost of moving back home in order to take care of sick loved ones; to being able to put food on the table for themselves or their families.鈥�

While fund use and impact varied by student circumstance, one thing remained consistent, gratitude and hope.

In each student thank you note collected by Somero鈥檚 team, students gratefully shared their appreciation for donor support and the impact that support has had on furthering their plans to complete a 麻豆传媒 education. And since the funds raised came from donors across the country, some of whom are anonymous, many students began their note with a simple 鈥淒ear Generous Donor鈥� and went on to write about their families, their circumstances and even their career aspirations. Each note is a personal reflection of the life and education touched by 麻豆传媒鈥檚 donor community.

Crane hopes to carry the message of gratitude and community forward to 麻豆传媒 donors as she prepares to launch Giving Bearnanza, a week-long campaign to support campus causes including additional support for the Disaster Relief Fund. Launching on December 1 (Bear Tuesday) and running through December 8 (Colorado Gives Day) the week long initiative will invite the Bear Community to continue their support for several student-oriented programs and funds.

鈥淚 think it is important that our donors realize that their gifts, gifts of every amount, directly support our students and aid their academic completion,鈥� says Crane. 鈥淵ou may live far from Greeley, but what the pandemic has taught us is that we remain a community connected and that your gift makes a difference.鈥�