The annual University Club (U Club) fundraiser held to benefit the Staff Senate Scholarship was a huge success, raising over $6,500 after bidding closed on March 12th, 2021! Over 100 auction items were sold, ranging from gift certificates to local businesses, artwork, gift baskets, and even cooking classes. Each year, the U Club hosts an event to raise funds for the Staff Senate Scholarship Fund, an endowed scholarship supporting children and family members of WCU’s staff. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on their academic performance, community service, and financial need. This spring, the U Club hosted an online silent auction that was open to the public, with a goal of raising $4,000 and far exceeded that goal.
Ben Pendry, Staff Senate Chair says, “The WCU Staff Senate and every person who is interested in the scholarship fund owes a tremendous THANK YOU to the U CLUB and the volunteers who made this auction happen, as well as all the local businesses and individuals who so generously donated. The response was just tremendous. On behalf of the Senate and of those children and dependents of WCU staffers who will receive this scholarship, THANK YOU!” The University Club members said, “One of the best things about working at Western Carolina University is the sense of community on our campus. The University Club’s mission is rooted in the concept of community—faculty, staff, and local residents come together to support one another and WCU. This fundraiser is important because having U Club supporting the Staff Senate Scholarship fund is all about members of the community supporting one another, giving back, and making this kind of community we all want to continue to be a part of. The Silent Auction is a combined effort by U Club and Staff Senate members who each take on new responsibilities each year as our vision for the event grows. Our first event in 2015 raised $1,500, this year we raised $6,500. If you’re interested in joining U Club, visit http://uclub.wcu.edu or email President-Elect Dr. Amanda Storm at astorm@wcu.edu.“
The Staff Senate is an elected body that represents the university’s permanent, non-faculty employees. The Senate serves in an advisory capacity to the Chancellor and other university decision-making bodies and meets monthly to discuss staff members’ ideas and concerns. One long-term effort of the Senate is the establishment of an endowed scholarship, which aims to make Western enrollment attainable for children of staff members. To learn more about the Staff Senate and the Scholarship, visit the Staff Senate website.
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