Donors Open Doors for Needy Students and 'Fuel Potential'

For many scholarship donors, such as Dick and Brita Davis, creating a scholarship also creates an opportunity that they never had.

“Both of us worked our way through school, so we know what it would mean to have someone help along the way,” Brita saids. “When we learned that there were students who needed help to finish school, we got right to it.”

Because of their background in and appreciation of the fine arts, the Davises created the Brita Colburn Davis and Richard R. Davis Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship to help students pursue a master’s degree in musical theatre.

Second annual Scholarship Luncheon

The Davises will join nearly 175 other donors, students and staff to celebrate the spirit of giving at SDSU’s second annual Scholarship Luncheon from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Nov. 17, at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center. At the luncheon, donors will be paired with scholarship recipients, some for the very first time.

Welcoming the guests and making remarks will be SDSU President Stephen Weber, honorary chair and SDSU alum Betsy Manchester, and several scholarship recipients, including SDSU Associated Students President Grant Mack.

Mack received the Terhune Political Science Scholarship, which helped lessen his financial burden during college, and even opened doors for new experiences.

Enhancing the educational experience

“Because of this scholarship I have been able to get more involved on campus, especially within Associated Students,” Mack said.

“It enhanced my educational experience as I have been able to apply what I have learned in the classroom to real-world situations. In return, I have excelled in all my classes that continue to challenge my intellectual ability to succeed.”

Mack recommends that fellow students take advantage of the numerous scholarship opportunities that are available to them.  

“I would recommend for students to seek out and apply to as many scholarships as possible as they help alleviate the financial debt that has unfortunately become a large component of the college experience.”

In today’s current economic climate, scholarships are even more valuable and necessary. For students who would not be able to attend a university otherwise, or for students being rewarded for their talent, scholarships serve as a bridge to the future.

$6 million in scholarships

Last year, San Diego State’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships awarded nearly $6 million in scholarship awards, and the university's Fuel Potential campaign continues to raise money for critical scholarships. San Diego State has already raised more than $27 million to support scholarships in the university’s first comprehensive campaign—thanks to generous donors such as the Davises.

At an event earlier this year, they were able to meet their scholarship recipient, Kathryn “Kati” Lyles, and shared the thrill they felt upon meeting her and seeing her perform—an experience made possible by their philanthropic support.

“We both thought she was so talented and felt that she had a wonderful, successful future in front of her. She not only dances, but she sings and she’s an actress, too. There isn’t anything she can’t do. We’re very proud of her.”