Pictured left to right: Kacie Adkins, Marissa Vernon, keynote speaker Maria Vernon and Dean Marie Huff. Photo by Marie Freeman.
The Beaver College of Health Sciences held its 1st Annual Celebration of Giving on Friday, March 16, 2018 in the Blue Ridge Ballroom in the Plemmons Student Union with over 120 students, faculty members and donors in attendance.
The Celebration of Giving reception provided student scholarship recipients with the opportunity to meet their Scholarship donors and personally thank them for their generosity. It also offered the donors the chance to hear how their donations have impacted the students’ lives and careers. Finally, the event celebrated all donors to the College, whether they have given to scholarships, the new Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences, or other College funds.
The ceremony featured a welcome from Dean Marie Huff and greetings from Darrell Kruger, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, and Denise Levy, Associate Dean. Featured speakers included scholarship recipient Jennifer Stevenson and donor Maria Vernon. The Mountain Laurels performed music for the event.
Jennifer Stevenson, a scholarship recipient majoring in health care management, acknowledged some of the ways the Dean’s Scholarship helped her grow personally and professionally, “From being recognized on the football field at halftime with my fellow scholarship cohort during my freshman year to attending the site dedication ceremony for our new building, the Dean’s Scholarship has offered me many unique opportunities to network and celebrate my love for Appalachian.” Stevenson is an outstanding student who received a job offer at the end of her junior year following her summer internship, is a leader in her program and an inductee into the Health Care Management National Honors Society.
Maria Vernon, a scholarship donor, also spoke about her love for Appalachian. She reflected on how much she enjoyed giving tours during her time as a student. Her life of service began when she was still a student at Appalachian, where she served as a University Ambassador and president of the Student Yosef Club. Her service continues today through her involvement with the Reich College of Education Advancement Board, the Communication Disorders Clinic Renovation Campaign, and the clinic’s advisory committee. She inspired students, alumni, and donors alike with her commitment to give back to Appalachian, “I knew that as soon as I could, I was going to give back to Appalachian and help support students with a scholarship, as I too had been personally impacted by the benefits of a scholarship.”
View photos from the event and a copy of the program here.
Marie Huff speaking at Celebration of Giving
Marie Huff speaking at Celebration of Giving