Press Releases - Lourdes University

Lourdes announces newly endowed theatre scholarship

hhoffman — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Last weekend, the Lourdes University Drama Society kicked-off its 2012-13 season with David Auburn’s Proof. Following the Friday night opening performance, Drama Society Advisor Keith Ramsdell announced the establishment of the Roemer Insurance – Janice L. Ramsdell Endowed Scholarship for Theatre. Drama Society members Megan Carter, a senior majoring in Criminal Justice, and Tim Robinson, a junior majoring in Early Childhood Education, were named the first recipients of the scholarship and will receive $250 each for spring semester.

The scholarship is the result of a friendship that has developed between Ramsdell, Director of Graduate Admissions and Drama Society Advisor, and Wellington (Rocky) Roemer III, President and CEO of Roemer Insurance. “Last spring I was seriously injured in an accident, and Keith came to my aid,” said Roemer. Following that initial encounter, their paths crossed several times before Ramsdell shared his passion for theatre and the Drama Society with Roemer who decided to fund the endowment along with his uncle, Tom Roemer. Since then, the endowment has grown to over $11,000 with contributions coming from several additional donors all wanting to support students active in theatre at Lourdes.

Named for Ramsdell’s late mother, the idea for the scholarship came from his desire to honor her memory. “When Rocky and I first discussed the Drama Society's goal of establishing a theatre scholarship, I mentioned that my wife and I had initially seeded the fund after my mom passed away a couple years ago. She always supported my efforts in the theatre,” Ramsdell stated. “Much to my surprise, he offered to name the scholarship after her.” The scholarship also carries the name of Roemer Insurance, the family business started by Roemer’s grandfather in 1934.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students can major in any discipline but they must be actively involved in the Drama Society and be members of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theatre honor society. Candidates must have a minimum of 75 points, earned through their involvement in the various shows produced by the Drama Society, plus they must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

For more information on the Lourdes University Drama Society or the Roemer Insurance – Janice L. Ramsdell Endowed Scholarship for Theatre, contact Keith Ramsdell at kramsdell@lourdes.edu or visit www.lourdes.edu/dramasociety.

Lourdes’ Upward Bound program receives 100% funding support

hhoffman — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 09:00:00 GMT

This summer, more than 50 students from Waite and Woodward High Schools will call Lourdes University home, as they participate in the institution’s Upward Bound program. Last spring, the U.S. Department of Education announced that Lourdes would receive 100% of the $250,000 requested in support of its program.

“We’re thrilled to receive support from the U.S. Department of Education,” rejoices Tonya Colbert, Upward Bound Director. “These funds will greatly assist Lourdes’ Upward Bound program in achieving its mission of providing fundamental support to high school students in their preparation for college entrance.”

Lourdes’ Upward Bound program is designed to support and develop the skills and motivation necessary for participants to persist in completing a rigorous program of secondary education and to enter and successfully complete a program of post-secondary education.

Participating students receive six weeks of intensive on-campus academic instruction in the areas of career counseling, computer technology, English, financial literacy, science, math and Spanish as well as OGT and ACT preparation. Additionally students have an opportunity to experience a variety of academic enrichment and cultural events and receive tutoring during the regular school year. Through Lourdes’ Upward Bound programming, participants will be well prepared to graduate from high school and enter and graduate from a post-secondary institution.

Proof of the program’s success can be witnessed in Santoria Sawyer, Waite High School Valedictorian and Lourdes’ Upward Bound graduate. For her commitment to her academic career and community, she was chosen as a member of the Coca-Cola® Scholars Foundation class of 2010. As one of only 53 students selected nationwide, Santoria received a $20,000 scholarship from the organization, which today she is putting to good use as a student at The Ohio State University.

“It is incredible to see students from our Upward Bound program such as Santoria graduate high school and move onto a college career,” shares Tonya. “Every day at Lourdes, we work to help students realize their educational dreams and to help make those dreams become a reality. Upward Bound is just one of the ways in which we are able to accomplish this task!”

Interest free loans now available to Lourdes students

hhoffman — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Students at Lourdes University are now able to apply for interest-free loans through a $100,000 four-year grant provided by the Charles E. Schell Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee.

Payable over four years, the award allows Lourdes University to provide interest-free educational assistance loans to qualified students. An added benefit of the grant is that it creates a self-funding student loan program within Lourdes University that continues to provide resources for future students, as previous loans are repaid. To apply, students must meet the following basic qualifications:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 25
• Be in good standing at the institution

• Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
• Be a citizen of OH, IN, IL, KY, MI, MO, PA, TN, VA or WV

“We are thrilled to receive the assistance from the Schell Foundation and Fifth Third Bank,” expresses Denise McCluskey, Director of Financial Aid. “This will allow us to make earning a degree at Lourdes University even more affordable for our students.”

The Charles E. Schell Foundation was established in 1932 by Charles E. Schell of Cincinnati as a trust to be used for the educational benefits of citizens of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. To apply for the Schell interest free loan at Lourdes, students must schedule an appointment in the Office of Financial Aid, by calling 419-824-3732.

Lourdes partners with Padua Center for Global Youth Service Day

hhoffman — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Lourdes University is pleased to announce that its TRiO Upward Bound program was recently awarded a Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) mini-grant though the Ohio Commission on Service and Volunteerism (ServeOhio). Established in 1988, GYSD is the only day of service dedicated to children and youth, and is celebrated each year in over 100 countries.

For its 2012 GYSD project, Lourdes is partnering with the Padua Center. On April 21 beginning at 8:30 a.m. (weather permitting) more than 50 Upward Bound students from Lourdes University will plant a salsa garden and assemble playground toys and needed storage at the Padua Center of Toledo.

Lourdes was 1 of only 3 organizations to receive funding for GYSD through ServeOhio. The Dayton Urban Ministry Center and Green Country Family & Children First Department of Xenia, Ohio also received funding. ServeOhio awarded the $1,000 GYSD mini-grants through the support of the organization’s Stewards of Service corporate partners American Electric Power Ohio and Honda of America. For more on ServeOhio, visit www.serveohio.org.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, TRiO Upward Bound is a challenging, preparatory program preparing high school students for post-secondary education. Established in 1999, the Lourdes Upward Bound program serves 50 students each year in grades 9-12. Students are enrolled from two target high schools: Waite High School and Woodward High School, both located in Toledo, Ohio.

Established by the Catholic Diocese of Toledo in 2006, the Padua Center is a membership-based organization located in the rectory of the former Saint Anthony of Padua Church on Nebraska Avenue. The mission of Padua Center is to add a Christian community-based presence empowering people at all stages of life to achieve their maximum potential through education, counseling, support and community involvement. Visit the Padua Center online at http://www.paduacenter.org.

The Hearst Foundations establish $75,000 Lourdes Scholarship

hhoffman — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Lourdes University is pleased to announce the establishment of the William Randolph Hearst Scholarship benefiting disadvantaged students who demonstrate financial need. The $75,000 scholarship allows Lourdes to award several scholarships over a three-year period to qualifying students.

The generous gift was made possible through Lourdes Board of Trustees member William Carroll, retired CEO of NRG Dynamix, and George Butler Irish, Vice President and Director of East Coast Operations for the Hearst Foundations. Born in Toledo, George attended Central Catholic High School and has maintained strong ties to the region. He is often quoted as saying his first job in journalism was as a carrier for The Blade.

The Hearst Foundations are national philanthropic resources for organizations and institutions working in the fields of education, health, culture and social service. The goal of the foundations is to ensure that people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to build healthy, productive and inspiring lives. The charitable goals of the Foundations reflect the philanthropic interests of publisher William Randolph Hearst, who founded the Hearst Foundation, Inc. in 1945. In 1948, he established the California Charities Foundation, renamed the William Randolph Hearst Foundation in 1951. Both Foundations are national private philanthropies operating independently from The Hearst Corporation.

Lourdes University is one of a select number of exemplary colleges the Hearst Foundations have supported who are dedicated to preparing students to succeed in a global society. Preference is given to medium size, private liberal arts colleges and universities. Other Ohio institutions who have received scholarship support from the Hearst Foundations in past years include Case Western, Kenyon, Oberlin, Ohio Dominican, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, Wittenberg and Xavier.

“Over 60% of Lourdes students are first generation college students,” shares Mary Arquette, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “How fitting that our students will carry on the legacy of Mr. Hearst who accomplished so much in his lifetime and has contributed so much to society through his foundations.”

Lourdes awarded $50,000 technology grant

hhoffman — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:00:00 GMT

The Stranahan Foundation has recently awarded a $50,000 technology grant to Lourdes University. The grant will benefit the WIN Center - Lourdes University’s main computer center which offers a variety of student services including but not limited to academic coaching, structured learning assistance, testing services, tutoring and academic workshops.

“On a typical day, the WIN Center is literally bursting at the seams with students accessing our computers, printers and copiers, and taking advantage of the excellent tutors and coaches,” shares Robyn Gandy, PhD, Associate Dean of Academic Services. “In order to keep pace with the growth in enrollment, Lourdes must expand the WIN Center so that students can better access the services critical to their academic success.”

Funding provided by the Stranahan Foundation will support the purchase of 2 printers and 48 laptops for students to borrow to complete assignments, conduct online research and prepare for class.

The Stranahan Foundation was created in 1944 by brothers Frank D. and Robert A. Stranahan, founders of the Champion Spark Plug Company in Toledo. The purpose of the Stranahan Foundation is to assist individuals and groups in their efforts to become more self-sufficient and contribute to the improvement of society and the environment. For more information about the Stranahan Foundation, visit www.stranahanfoundation.org.

Rooted in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, Lourdes University offers baccalaureate degrees in more than 30 academic majors as well as graduate degrees in business, education, liberal arts, nursing, organizational leadership and theology. Community outreach programs include the Appold Planetarium, the Life Lab, Lifelong Learning and Theater Vision. A member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, Lourdes students can also compete in baseball and men’s and women’s basketball, golf and volleyball. Named a “Best in the Midwest” college by the Princeton Review, Lourdes University is a nationally accredited, veteran and transfer-friendly institution offering a variety of student scholarships. Discover us online at www.lourdes.edu or by phone at 419-885-3211.

First million dollar individual gift announced at State of the University Address

hhoffman — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMT

On Tuesday, September 27, Lourdes hosted its annual State of the University Address. Community leaders and friends of the institution gathered to hear President Robert Helmer, PhD, JD, give an update on the University’s seven year strategic plan.

President with EbeidDuring the Address, Lourdes also announced its first individual million dollar gift, given by Russell J. Ebeid. “We are so thankful to Russ for his support of Lourdes University,” adds Dr. Helmer. “Our students have already benefitted greatly from the Ebeid Student Center named in his honor, and now will further benefit from the services and activities offered in Lourdes’ new athletic center.”

Mr. Ebeid, whose granddaughter is a Lourdes alumna (Kristina Ebeid, ’07 BA, Business), shared a few words about his support of the institution, saying “I am always drawn to Lourdes – to return to the beautiful campus that so reminds me of my childhood in southwest Detroit.” Mr. Ebeid also spoke about the strong connection between athletics and academics in helping students be competitive in today’s market. He concluded with his only request as benefactor of Lourdes University’s athletic center, stating lightheartedly “I only ask that I be allowed to throw out one of the first baskets during the inaugural game so that I might finally accomplish my college ambition of being a student athlete!”

Brooke Darah served as the student speaker and reflected on what it means to be a Lourdes student. “My first experience at Lourdes was when I was just three years old and attended pre-school on campus. I have always thought of Lourdes as home and once I decided to go into nursing, knew it was the school for me. Lourdes has a great nursing program and now with NAIA athletics, I am also able to be a member of the Gray Wolves golf team. I just could not have chosen a greater school.”

Lourdes is still in the development stage of planning for the athletic center, and is expected to break ground on the project in 2012. For information about the University’s athletic programs, visit www.lourdesathletics.com.