Supporting Fellow Students for Generations to Come

CSA Creates Student Scholarship

Despite being in the midst of a pandemic, Crandall University’s Student Association recognized that they had an opportunity this academic year to give back and bless others.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020-2021 Student Association had to rethink their plans for annual events and activities for the student body to attend. Because of this, many in-person events were cancelled and replaced by online activities, leaving the Association with a surplus in their budget. It was after noticing this surplus that the student senate voted unanimously in favor of establishing a scholarship fund to benefit current and future students for years to come.

“We recognize that our budget comes from fees that the students pay,” said CSA President Megan Atkinson. “Establishing a scholarship fund for Crandall students will help primarily by assisting them with the financial burden of education.”

Being in a global pandemic means that many students may be facing greater financial insecurity than in a typical year. This could be a result of being unable to find stable summer employment with fewer job opportunities or because their parents are facing employment hardship. University is a large investment for anyone, but is especially difficult to fund with the pandemic causing so much uncertainty.

This new scholarship fund is designed to celebrate and encourage students who work to achieve good grades and also serve the Crandall community. Megan shared that, “Providing this annual gift to a student may allow them to take on fewer shifts at a part-time job, and as a result encourage greater focus on grades and involvement in co-curricular activities on campus with fellow students and classmates. Also, this annual award will help to ensure that the students who give selflessly to the community are recognized and celebrated.”

If the introduction of this new scholarship demonstrates anything, it’s that Crandall’s student body is second to none! The level of care, support, and outreach demonstrated by our students year after year is exemplary, and now in a year when a global pandemic grips many in discouraging ways, this exceptional student leadership has truly been deliberate in their decisions and actions. “When others hear about what the CSA has been able to accomplish, we hope it motivates them to do the same. Despite facing a difficult year, we found a way to make the best of it and bless others with what we had on hand,” concluded Atkinson. “Those of us on the CSA are involved because of our love for the students here, and because we believe that Crandall is a fantastic place to be!”

The 2020-2021 Crandall Student Association. From left to right: Jared Cook (Chapel Liaison), Nick Jones (Business Senator), Evan Blewitt (Arts Senator), Emilie Williams (VP Student Services), Jenna MacLeod (VP Events & Programs), Rebekah Archibald (VP External), Amy West (VP Finance & Operations), Bethany Knowles (VP Internal), Riley Fillmore (Athletics Liaison), Megan Atkinson (President). Not pictured: Maggie Nemeth (Science Senator), Michelle Scott (Education Senator), Sheldon Donovan (Arts Senator), AJ Kadri (Arts Senator), Kathryn Chase (Arts Senator), Adrian Davies (Arts Senator)