Cedarville Magazine Spring 2020

year. However, this year presented an urgent need for donors to stand in the gap for families who were impacted financially due to the global pandemic. During our annual spring giving day, we quickly pivoted to address this urgent need, and 551 donors gave $314,385 to the CU Give Hope fund, resulting in 294 scholarships that helped meet the immediate financial need of students returning this fall. In addition to that generous support, additional financial need was identified for dozens of students who had devastating financial impact due to the loss of a parent, losses in income, and other unexpected circumstances intensified by the global pandemic. When the need was presented to a few members of the Cedarville family, these faithful givers stepped in immediately to bridge the gap. Their gifts, along with the many financial partners who gave to the CU Give Hope fund, made it possible for hundreds of students to return to Cedarville this fall. Without God’s provision through members of the Cedarville family, those students wouldn’t be here. Thank you to our generous and faithful givers who are making a tangible impact in the lives of students. Your gifts make a difference! Q How can alumni and friends support the University in this time? A Alumni and friends can make a difference today by praying, sharing, and giving. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, first and foremost, alumni and friends can join us in praying. We as a University covet your prayers. During this COVID season, please pray for the health and wellness of our University community. Pray for our University leaders, faculty, staff, and students. Pray that God will continue to be glorified in our work and pray that students’ lives will be transformed by the power of the Gospel during their Cedarville experience. Second, you can tell others about Cedarville, share your experience as an alumnus, student, parent, or friend of the University. Let prospective students and parents know about the life-transforming experience that awaits them at Cedarville. Lastly, I encourage you to give of your time, talents, and treasure. Making the Cedarville experience affordable and accessible to students remains one of our top priorities as a University. Your gift, joined with thousands of other faithful donors, makes the Cedarville experience a more affordable opportunity to many students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to join us. CU GIVE HOPE IMPACT § Total Raised: $314,385.89 § Total Number of Donors: 551 § Largest Gift: $70,000 § Average Gift: $542.04 § Number of Scholarships Awarded: 294 § Average Amount of Award: $1,195 § Selection Criteria: Returning student financially impacted by COVID-19. “This scholarship has helped ease the burden on my parents and me. It gives us hope in the coming year. I’m so thankful for all the donors that care for and love students like me!” Joshua Counts ’22 “Receiving this scholarship was a huge, unexpected blessing. God has been faithful in providing for every need. He has done so through your contribution.” Sarah Whitscell ’23 “Your scholarship means the difference between being able to stay at Cedarville for my senior year or having to transfer somewhere else.” Ashley Riddle ’21 “The raising of the CU Give Hope Scholarship funds came at a time when COVID was becoming a reality in our lives and one that changed our daily habits and thoughts. Yet, the gifts poured in and allowed our team to award 294 students a one-time scholarship. Like never before, need became almost the norm for most of our families. It has become a blessing not only for our families, but for those of us in the financial aid office as we seek to steward these wonderful gifts.” Kim Jenerette ’83, Executive Director of Financial Aid Cedarville Magazine | 31 ADVANCING CEDARVILLE