3.30.20

Unusual times, same mission

Things look a little different at the WSU Foundation right now. Most of our staff is working from home. Many of our events have been canceled or postponed. Like you, we’re paying attention to daily developments in our nation’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.

But our mission is the same as it’s always been, and we’re working to fulfill it every day. First and foremost, our focus is on Wichita State University students who face education-related and personal challenges.

“Not only are thousands of students transitioning to online classes, but many are coping with financial concerns and all of the stresses related to coronavirus,” said Elizabeth King, WSU Foundation president and CEO. “We are taking steps to help those who need it.”

The Foundation has created the COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Students to help them overcome financial hardships and remain focused on their education. The emergency fund is intended to help students primarily in two ways. The first is to help them pay for basic necessities such as food and rent. Many students who had jobs on campus or in the community have lost them because of the shelter-in-place order. The second is to help them transition to online learning by providing technology such as laptops or mobile hotspots.

So far, more than $31,000 has been raised for the fund, but university officials anticipate the need will be substantially greater.

Students can rest assured that the donor-funded scholarships they receive won’t be affected by changes related to the pandemic. Awards for the spring semester have already been made and fall-semester scholarships are in the process of being awarded.

The WSU Foundation also has launched a new appeal called Shockers Up, inspired by the rallying cry that rings throughout Charles Koch Arena on game days.

“We believe ‘Shockers Up’ is an appropriate message for our community as we respond to the needs of our students,” King said. “It’s also an invitation to Shocker Nation to stay connected and support one another in a very challenging time.”

King noted that the WSU Foundation’s investments and endowments are managed for long-term performance success, helping to ensure their future stability.

“One of the reasons Wichita State is so strong today is because our alumni and friends have invested in their university,” King said. “That support and trust will sustain us as we respond to the challenges ahead and do the work that helps ensure a bright future.”