Columnist Paul Bible: Urgent need for support of scholarships

Paul Bible

Friday, Aug. 11, 2000 | 9:56 a.m.

Paul Bible is chairman of the University of Nevada, Reno, Foundation.

The big news about college scholarships in Nevada is the Millennium Scholarship program developed by Gov. Kenny Guinn, which will provide up to $2,500 a year to graduating high school seniors, beginning with the Class of 2000, to attend the state's two universities, and lesser amounts to attend community college here.

But even with the Millennium Scholarships -- to be funded by a portion of the money from Nevada's part of the nationwide settlement with tobacco companies -- the need for private support for scholarships remains vital in a state with one of the lowest college attendance rates among graduating high schoolers.

The Millennium Scholarships only cover a portion of a college student's expenses. The average annual costs for a state resident, full-time student at the University of Nevada, Reno, for the 2000-2001 school year add up to $12,700; $3,200 for credit fees and books; $6,000 for resident hall or apartment rent; $3,500 for living expenses. This clearly means we still need private support for student scholarships.

With this support, these students not only can afford to attain degrees and improve their lives -- but will be able to better contribute to our state as highly educated citizens, employees and employers. As Gov. Guinn recently said at a Sparks Chamber of Commerce luncheon, reported by the Gazette-Journal: "Without educating our young people, we will never get diverse economic resources and technology."

The reward of being a scholarship donor, I can tell you from personal experience, is great. When I was a member of the foundation of Truckee Meadows Community College, I attended an annual reception for TMCC students who received foundation scholarships. These scholarships primarily were for students with limited resources. At this reception I noticed a young woman struggling to quiet two small children more interested in playing than the presentation. When the young mother's name was called, she picked up her youngest child, grabbed the other's hand and awkwardly made her way to the podium. It was my turn to make the presentation because the young woman was the recipient of a scholarship my wife and I had established.

When I handed her the check, she said, "You don't know how much this means to me and my children. Now I won't have to work nights and I can be with them."

At that moment I knew the meaning of, "It is better to give than receive."

Many scholarship applicants at the University of Nevada are from single-parent homes or are the first in their families to attend college. Their families typically have not saved to send them to college, and what earnings the children generate often meet household expenses.

The Millennium Scholarships will greatly benefit thousands of our 6,500 high school students graduating this spring. But those who will still have to work outside the classroom while attending college -- or who don't qualify for these scholarships , or who richly deserve support because of their track records, circumstances and achievements -- will continue to rely on the benevolence of donors, who understand that our society is strengthened by helping each generation reach its potential. We must continue to donate and raise money for scholarships at Nevada's universities and community colleges.