Donors and scholarship recipients were honored at the annual scholarship event held in the UH Mānoa Stan Sheriff Center. This year a St. Patrick’s Day twist greened the décor and the program opened with UH Mānoa dance students Mike Romney and Amy Bukarau performing an Irish Step Dance and the Mambo.
Scholarship recipients treasured the opportunity to personally thank the special people who make generous investments in their education. For our donors, meeting their scholarship recipients in person, is a powerful experience, reminding them that every gift makes a very real difference for our UH students.
Guests heard from scholarship recipients Naftali Tolibas and Leimomi Kanagusuku whose personal stories touched hearts and minds. UH System President & Interim UH Mānoa Chancellor David Lassner and UH Foundation President Donna Vuchinich warmly thanked donors and shared the incredible news that thanks to donors, the UH Foundation has raised more than $1 billion for UH students and programs over its 61 years of philanthropy.
In 1976, the first permanently endowed scholarship was created at the UH Foundation to benefit students attending the University of Hawai`i. Since then, providing access to higher education through private gifts has become a tradition. Today the Foundation manages more than 1,700 student aid accounts. Last year UHF raised more than $20 million in student aid and distributed over $9 million to students at all ten UH campuses.
Thanks a billion for joining us!
