University to reveal historic donation during Friday event
Project P
What: Scholarship announcement and barbeque
When: Friday, 3:30 p.m.
Where: The Quad
How much: Free
One of the largest scholarship gifts in Syracuse University history will be announced Friday afternoon on the Quad.
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs e-mailed students Tuesday, announcing the gift, Project P, and the coinciding barbeque and music event.
‘We think you’ll be a Phan of Project P,’ the e-mail read.
The benefactor of the scholarship donation has yet to be announced, but students who attend Friday will be able to meet the people behind the gift, according to the e-mail.
University officials said they are currently unable to comment on the specifics of the event, but said it was a historic event for SU.
‘I can tell you it is a historic, major gift announcement for the university,’ said Kevin Quinn, senior vice president for public affairs, in an e-mail. ‘To put it in perspective, we announced a major, very significant gift this summer for the new law school building, and that was $15 million.’
Signs were placed on the Quad as of Wednesday, promoting the event and listing a website. The website includes no more information than the already-released time, the location of the event and that it will be ‘ground-breaking.’
Chris Jensen, a senior art photography major, said he had not heard of the gift or event, but it would not affect him anyway because he is graduating soon.
He said he has not had problems with scholarship funding, but has heard friends discuss issues. Jensen said the announcement could be beneficial for those students in need of funding.
The university has experienced recent trouble with financial aid, as SU earned 20 percent less Federal Work-Study funding this year. Due to the cut and a loss of federal stimulus funds, SU denied the Work-Study money to some students who had previously received the award, according to an article in The Daily Orange on Monday.
No details have been released on who the scholarship will benefit.
Hanna Akom Wiredu, a sophomore public health major and pre-med student, said the secrecy behind the event has caused her some confusion. She saw the signs on the Quad and has heard students talking about the announcement, but she said she wanted to know more before Friday.
‘There’s a lot of people who want to know about scholarship opportunities,’ she said.
Akom Wiredu said she plans to attend the event in hopes of learning more.
‘It’s something else,’ she said. ‘I’m excited.’
Published on September 29, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Contact Dara: dkmcbrid@syr.edu | @daramcbride
