UA Announces Winners of Student Funded SGA S.P.I.R.I.T. Scholarships

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Winners of scholarships funded by The University of Alabama’s Student Government Association S.P.I.R.I.T. campaign were announced today during a celebration event at Gorgas Library. Four UA students, all first-generation college students, were selected to receive the awards funded by their fellow students. The SGA S.P.I.R.I.T. campaign asked students to donate $2 each to UA for “first-in-family” scholarships.

“SPIRIT gives students several opportunities to provide scholarship support for other students,” said R.B. Walker, 2007-08 president of the UA SGA. “We have had a great deal of success with this program over the past few years, awarding a total of 20 scholarships to first generation college students, including those awarded today.”

Conducted from Sept. 1, 2007 through Jan. 31, 2008, the SGA S.P.I.R.I.T. (Students Playing Important Roles in Tradition) raised $8,723.45 resulting in four $2,100 scholarships. Scholarship recipients are:

Guy Eugene Standeffer, Jasper
Justin Michael Zimmerman, Moreno Valley, Calif.
Michelle Leanne May, Alpharetta, Ga.
Elyse Marie McLaughlin, Irondale

“The S.P.I.R.I.T. campaign empowers students to make a difference in the lives of their fellow students,” said Alicia King, director of annual giving and coordinator of the campaign. “Students give to the campaign year after year because they know it is helping another student.”

The S.P.I.R.I.T. campaign, which is part of the University’s “Our Students. Our Future.” $500 million capital campaign, has raised $40,715.99 for student scholarships since it began in 2005.

The “Our Students. Our Future.” campaign’s $500 million goal includes $250 million for student scholarships. The remaining funds are allocated to faculty support, facilities and priority needs. The campaign has raised more than $483 million since 2002.

For more information, contact Alicia King at 205/348-9316.