Giving Day Raises Nearly $35,000 to Support Students

The William Paterson University Foundation raised nearly $35,000 during its Fall 2022 Giving Day initiative, all for projects designed to assist students who need financial support.

“We are pleased to share that our Fall Giving Day was a success thanks to the generous support of the WP community,” says Pamela Ferguson, vice president for institutional advancement and president of the Foundation. “The funds raised will make a meaningful difference for William Paterson University students.”

Funds raised will support the Cotsakos College of Business Scholarship Fund; the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Last Mile Fund, which provides seniors who are experiencing an unexpected financial hardship reach their goal of graduating; the College of Education Head of the Class Fund, which helps students with financial support for required testing needed to become a teacher; and the College of Science and Health General Scholarship Fund. In addition, funds were raised in support of the Pioneer Pantry, which helps University students who are struggling with food insecurity.

In addition, Provost Joshua Powers kicked off the Fall 2022 Giving Day project on November 4 with a hike to the top of High Mountain, adjacent to the William Paterson campus in the High Mountain Park Preserve, to raise awareness about first-generation students, as well as raise funds for the Provost Powers Emergency Grant Fund, which helps currently enrolled students meet critical, immediate financial needs that are likely to have a direct need on their academic success or ability to remain enrolled at the University.

More than two dozen faculty, staff, and alumni joined Powers on the 3.2-mile, round-trip hike to the 800-foot summit—with its sweeping views of northern New Jersey and New York City to the east—which he led for the second year in a row. Powers matched every gift in support of his fund dollar-for-dollar. During the trip, he shared stories about WP students for whom a scholarship made a difference, as well as stories about the University’s history, values, and students through the years.

“Hiking and climbing is hard work,” he says. “Going to college, especially for a first-generation student, is also hard work. Many first-generation students are also low-income, which poses additional challenges that can be an obstacle to completing a degree. I want to raise awareness of how big an impact that even a small gift to the University can make for such a student.”

11/17/22