Sasha Saliba
In Motion Staff Writer
On March 24 the Daytona State College Foundation held a breakfast in the Hosseini Center ballroom recognizing the faculty and staff that donated money to Foundation’s scholarship fund, as well as the recipient of this year’s Foundation General Scholarship, Stefania Bertone.
The Foundation has been giving away scholarship money to students of Daytona State College for some 15 years and in 2015, nearly $900,000 was given to almost 900 students.
“It’s great to see that as employees we also contribute to our students who are also very near and dear to our hearts. We hope to continue that effort through our employee giving program,” said Daytona State College President Dr. Tom LoBasso.
Judy Haydt, Director of Scholarships and the Annual Fund, said, “Under the leadership of Tom LoBasso, April has been designated as Daytona State College Employee Campaign Month and this April will be the fourth year,”
Bertone, the recipient of the $1,500 Foundation General scholarship, is an Education major and wants to be a high school and college Algebra teacher.
“It was really a blessing to me because working three jobs at one point and going to school does make things harder. It was really a big blessing to have that scholarship,” said Bertone.
Foundation scholarships are funded by faculty and staff donations, those who want to give back to students in need. The Foundation’s goal for 2016 is to increase the number of donors by 20 percent. Money can be donated to the general scholarship fund, a specific fund, or a desired one.
Yearly, the Foundation works with DSC’s Marketing Department to get the word around campus via posters, the New4U close-circuit TV system and the College website. Foundation workers also hand-deliver brochures to each department. On april 21, the Foundation will co-host a golf tournament to help raise money for the Kiwanis Club, a DSC community partner. Another golf tournament in July will benefit DSC’s Athletic Department’s scholarship program.
The Foundation chose April to roll out its fund-raiser because it heretofore did not have a designated time and month for the campaign. Since there are rarely other fundraisers launched in April, President LoBasso thought that was a good option. Those who want, can earmark their contributions to a particular cause, such as Student Publications.
Employees can donate by filling out the brochure or they can simply go online to donate.daytonastate.edu.
Or for information about how to donate, call the Foundation at 506-3195.