ATHENS, Ohio -- Four campus groups that have raised more than $170,000 to sponsor scholarships for Ohio University were honored during a recent luncheon on campus. Representatives of Classified Senate, the Computer Services Center, Friends of the Library and the Employee Showcase Scholarship Committee were recognized for their commitment to the university. Current students who are recipients of the scholarships were also on hand.

"These employees, through their actions, embody the spirit that makes Ohio University such a unique and special institution," Vice President for Advancement Leonard Raley said. "They display a true commitment to the university's mission by going the extra mile to help young people attain a high quality Ohio University education."

The sponsoring groups have displayed a large amount of creativity and hard work to endow the scholarships. It costs $15,000 to establish a scholarship, and the money is invested, with the income funding the scholarship. The sponsoring group can set criteria for scholarship recipients.

The sponsoring organizations that were recognized include:

• Classified Senate, which has raised $60,230 to endow four scholarships and $21,526 for classified employee professional development. More than half of the money has been raised toward a fifth scholarship. All of the money was raised through the sale of coverlets depicting scenes from around campus. The Classified Senate Academic Scholarship is for undergraduates with at least a 3.4 GPA or incoming freshmen with an ACT of 28 or SAT of 1,170. The Non-Traditional Scholarship assists students who are at least 26 years old. The Ohio University Employee Scholarship is for spouses or children of current, retired or disabled university employees. The Regional Campus Scholarship rotates among the five regional campuses and recipients must have a 3.4 or higher GPA.

• Computer Service Center employees have raised more than $50,000 over the years through drawings, candy sales, cookouts and raffles. The Cats Scholarship supports students majoring in disciplines related to the functions of Computer and Learning Services.

• Friends of the Library Fund members have raised almost $24,000 through book sales, read-a-thons and membership drives, and income supports student assistants in Alden Library. Selection is based on academic performance, financial need and contributions to the library.
• The Employee Showcase Scholarship Committee has sponsored events featuring employees' talents and raised $17,000 to endow a scholarship that will be awarded for the first time in the 2002-03 academic year. Recipients must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and 45 credit hours and be either a university employee or dependent of an employee.

Groups interested in endowing a similar scholarship fund should contact Susan Downard, assistant vice president for University Advancement, 593-2486