The Shannon Christy Memorial Scholarship Fund gained a $2,500 donation in February 2024 at Western Carolina University.
The donation came from Western Carolina University’s 2023 Spring Campaigns Class fundraiser to endow the fund.
The class reached out to WCU alumni, those who knew Shannon Christy and people working at the fund in her honor that supports nonprofits that empower women, the Shannon Christy Memorial Fund.
According to Dr. Scott Eldredge, department head for the communication department, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina donated $2,500 to support the scholarship fund’s endowment due to the team’s efforts on February 26, 2024.
“The money will go into our [communication] department’s scholarship fund, and when we reach another $10,000 donated, our scholarship will be endowed,” said Eldredge.
Once it is endowed, students who are “studying communication and working to protect and support our outdoor environments” can be awarded scholarships, said Eldredge.
The fund is in honor of WCU journalism alumni Shannon Christy, who died in a 2013 kayaking accident.
She was passionate about outdoor recreation and believed it was crucial to be a Catamount.
Those close to her established the fund in her honor to support WCU communication students who are interested in outdoor recreation like Christy.
Watch this video for more information on the Shannon Christy Memorial Scholarship Fund.