Despite Current Economic Challenges, La Verne Heads Into New Year with Strong Corporate and Foundation Support

Many thanks to University of La Verne’s loyal corporate and foundation donors! Despite a challenging economy, over $300,000 has already been raised to benefit students, faculty and staff as the University approaches the beginning of its spring semester.

La Verne Receives Grant Funding Designed to Enhance Critical STEM Programs, Outreach

Rose Hills Foundation – $75,000

While media reports say more funding needs to be directed to STEM (science technology, engineering and mathematics) programs to help stimulate future job markets, such efforts are already underway at the University of La Verne. The grant will fund STEM scholarships and research over the next two years. These funds will further open the gateway for La Verne students to become majors in STEM fields.

Southern California Edison – $15,000

Working to attract prospective students from diverse backgrounds and encourage them to make their academic dream to attend college a reality, La Verne offers a STEM Summer Science Camp. Designed to increase the number of these students pursuing science degrees, the camp also works to break down any student confusion about the area and provide them with the support they need to succeed. This grant will help support the camp by connecting student to STEM degrees through its activities. Additional equipment was also purchased, included iPads, iclickers and Proscopes to help make learning experiences during the camp more interactive.

“This funding is going to the programs that need additional support in order to be successful,” said La Verne Associate Professor of Biology, Kat Weaver, who spent countless hours working on the grant proposals. “Our STEM programs benefit nearly 450 students every semester. The additional resources only allow us as professors to help our students learn more by offering them more hands-on learning activities, better technology or more scholarships.”

William Randolph Hearst Foundation Helps More Students Reach Academic Goals

The William Randolph Hearst Foundation recently allocated $50,000 in additional scholarship dollars to provide financial assistance to University of La Verne students. A total of only 14 colleges and universities in California received such funding. By increasing this scholarship fund, the University is able to lessen the financial burden for more students who aspire to earn a college degree.

“There is no better gift than the opportunity to be educated. The scholarship I received from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation has helped ease my worries about my college finances, giving me more time to focus on my studies. I am able to pursue my academic dreams because of their support. Thank you.”

-William Randolph Hearst Foundation Scholarship Recipient

 Corporate Partners Support Important La Verne Programs

• Verizon
  
• Wells Fargo
• US Bank
• Sodexo
• Edison International
• Kaiser Permanente

A series of our programs will continue to run strong as a result of corporate giving. These include:

• REACH Summer Business Camp, which benefits local high-school students by providing them with an exposure to business education in a college environment, as well as show them ways to gain entrance and succeed in college.
• The Literacy Center provides a facility to local children and their families that offers tutoring by La Verne graduate students.
• STEM Summer Science Camp, which involves eligible high school sophomores and juniors, and is designed to increase the number of students entering the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Scholarship Support

The University of La Verne Scholarship Fund is a top priority for the university and provides a foundation of support that benefits our diverse student population. With the continued increase in enrollment, we are thankful to the foundations that continue to support higher education – The Ahmanson Foundation, The Los Angeles Philanthropic Foundation, Ann Peppers Foundation, Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation, George H. Mayr Foundation, William Randolph Hearst Foundation and the Esperanza Scholarship Foundation.

“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.”  -Sir Winston Churchill