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2/7/2005
Contact:
K.E. Schwab -- 724-738-2199; e-mail:
karl.schwab@sru.edu
BUTLER
COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION ENDOWS $20,000 SCHOLARSHIP AT
SRU
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- A scholarship proposal taken
to the Butler County Bar Association by Slippery Rock
University’s Dr. Walter Powell, professor of political
science, has resulted in the association endowing a $20,000
scholarship for pre-law students as part of the 10-year
“Campaign for Slippery Rock University” currently
raising $33 million in university support.
In
presenting the endowment, William J. Schenck, past president of the
local bar association, noted, “The American legal system
touches every person in our society. It is the single system that
protects both individual and societal rights. Competent,
professional lawyers are vital to the legal system’s
function. A ‘rock solid’ undergraduate education
provides firm footing for law school and the honorable practice of
law.”
Powell,
a member of the bar association since 1974, approached SRU’s
Office of University Advancement after learning the association had
project funds available. “It was a perfect example of
matching faculty with advancement objectives, and we certainly
appreciate Professor Powell’s initiative. There is virtually
no limit to what can be accomplished in advancement if all of our
faculty become as involved as Dr. Powell,” said Bob
Mollenhauer, vice president for university
advancement.
“I
was glad to be able to make the connection,” said Powell, who
serves as adviser to between 10 and 20 students in SRU’s
pre-law program.
The
Butler County Bar Association Endowed Scholarship will be presented
annually. The $1,000 scholarship, with preference given to Butler
County students, can be renewed. SRU is a member of the
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which has partnered
with the Widener University School of Law to offer state system
students the opportunity to participate in two special admission
programs to the law school.
Ruth
Purcell, director of University Advancement at SRU, praised the
scholarship’s creation, noting, “Approximately 65
percent of Slippery Rock University students are the first in their
family to attend college and nearly 75 percent of our students work
while going to college. The need for such scholarship support is
clear, and I believe this is a wonderful legacy from practicing
attorneys in our region. At the university, we are most
appreciative.”
Individuals
may continue to contribute to the scholarship, including planned
giving bequests that would allow it to increase or be expanded to
more than one recipient.
“The
Campaign for Slippery Rock University” stands at nearly 60
percent of the goal at less than halfway into the campaign. Funds
are being sought for three featured objectives, including $8
million for the University’s scholarship endowment; $17
million for capital projects, including a new Science and
Technology Building now under construction; and $8 million for
academic excellence, including an Honors College and technology
upgrades. Robert S. Taylor, Esq., a 1978 SRU graduate and a member
of the SRU Council of Trustees, is chair of the
campaign.
PN, PgN, WPN, PR
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