Dixie State College of Utah President Stephen D. Nadauld announced Wednesday the formal kick-off of the institution’s new “Dollars for Scholars Campaign,” or “DSC,” with the goal of raising $500,000 in much-needed scholarship funds. The announcement came during DSC’s annual President’s Associates Banquet held on campus in the Gardner Center Ballroom.
“Dixie State’s enrollment is up and for us to continue this positive trend, we need scholarships to attract and retain students,” President Nadauld said. “Students are the lifeblood of Dixie. Scholarships allow us to recruit and retain the brightest students, as well as support those who would not be able to pursue their education without financial assistance. We are shaping DSC’s destiny!”
Nadauld noted that increased recruitment leads to increased enrollment, which leads to greater program strength. Nadauld also pointed to DSC’s boost in upper-division enrollment and retention, which currently stands at 46% percent ahead of last year at this time, as a barometer to how the College’s four-year programs have begun to gain traction.
“Strong programs attract outstanding faculty and outstanding faculty increases our academic reputation,” Nadauld added. “Top-notch academics, in turn, leads to the ability to recruit even more of the best and the brightest students.”
Dixie State College has a long and storied history of reaching out in the community and providing financial assistance to a wide array of students, both traditional and non-traditional students, with the goal of giving students a chance at achieving a college education. However, with today’s economic downturn affecting communities all across Utah, in addition to the state’s colleges and universities, the need of private donations are needed more than ever.
“Our community has always pulled together to support education,” said Christina Schultz, DSC vice president of advancement. “Our students are counting on us and with the expected state budget cuts, it mean that we’ll have to be resourceful and rely even more on private gifts. Just 1,000 people giving $500 each would allow us to meet our goal.”
Dixie State’s “Dollars for Scholars Campaign” will continue through August 15, 2009. To receive more information about the campaign or to make a gift, contact the DSC Office of Institutional Advancement at 435-652-7906 or email schultz@dixie.edu.
