UCA’s New Foundation Funds First Scholarships "What you have just been given is both a privilege and a responsibility,” Terry Finney was saying. The 20 Upper Columbia Academy students listening to him were a little wide-eyed, having just been handed a total of $30,000 in scholarships to be distributed by UCA’s new foundation. “It is a privilege for you to receive these funds so that you can enroll in a school like UCA. It is also a responsibility—the responsibility to do your very best, to study hard, and to take full advantage of the opportunities this school offers you, so that one day you will be in a position to contribute and bless others as you are being blessed today.” At a private dinner for scholarship recipients and foundation board members at UCA’s Power House, 20 students received between $1000 and $2000 each. These first scholarships were funded through donations of board members and other interested parties. Beginning next year, however, the scholarships will be funded by the interest from the fund established by the foundation. Even though the effort is only a few months old, more than one million dollars has already been raised! Each board member has a story to tell about why he or she is involved in the Foundation, as well as one to tell about how he or she became involved. For example, Terry Finney, a judge, had been invited to speak for alumni weekend in 2002, the year there was a patriotic theme. The alumni officers thought they were inviting someone from the 50-year class; however, it turned out that Finney had graduated only 49 years before. Providentially, the mistake gave him the opportunity to experience UCA up close. He was so impressed with what he saw on campus that he was evangelistic about getting his classmates to attend their reunion in the spring of 2003. As a result of his enthusiasm, Bob Larrabee, Finney's old roommate, attended the reunion and also caught the UCA vision. In the fall of 2003, Davis and Linnea Torkelsen (UCA’s Alumni and Development Director) invited a small group of alumni, including Finney and Larrabee, to a special meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm about how to strengthen the school’s development program. Torkelsen and Davis came prepared to present a wide variety of options, but instead opened the meeting to suggestions. “Let’s start a foundation!” was the unanimous consensus of the members present. Foundation board members, including former roommates and dynamic duo Finney and Larrabee, are excited about working together to make funding possible for students whose futures will be changed by a Christian education—a legacy they hope will continue. The combined expertise and commitment of the board is astounding. Susan Davis serves as the foundation’s executive director and Linnea Torkelsen, UCA alumni and development director, is the foundation’s liaison with the academy. Although the foundation is governed independently of the school, it exists solely for its benefit; its primary purpose is to provide student scholarships. For more information about this exciting new foundation, contact Susan Davis, Executive Director, UCA Foundation, PO Box 31382, Spokane, WA 99223, ucafoundation@hotmail.com, or (509) 747-0955.
UCA’s New Foundation Funds First Scholarships
"What you have just been given is both a privilege and a responsibility,” Terry Finney was saying. The 20 Upper Columbia Academy students listening to him were a little wide-eyed, having just been handed a total of $30,000 in scholarships to be distributed by UCA’s new foundation.
“It is a privilege for you to receive these funds so that you can enroll in a school like UCA. It is also a responsibility—the responsibility to do your very best, to study hard, and to take full advantage of the opportunities this school offers you, so that one day you will be in a position to contribute and bless others as you are being blessed today.”
At a private dinner for scholarship recipients and foundation board members at UCA’s Power House, 20 students received between $1000 and $2000 each. These first scholarships were funded through donations of board members and other interested parties. Beginning next year, however, the scholarships will be funded by the interest from the fund established by the foundation. Even though the effort is only a few months old, more than one million dollars has already been raised!
Each board member has a story to tell about why he or she is involved in the Foundation, as well as one to tell about how he or she became involved. For example, Terry Finney, a judge, had been invited to speak for alumni weekend in 2002, the year there was a patriotic theme. The alumni officers thought they were inviting someone from the 50-year class; however, it turned out that Finney had graduated only 49 years before. Providentially, the mistake gave him the opportunity to experience UCA up close. He was so impressed with what he saw on campus that he was evangelistic about getting his classmates to attend their reunion in the spring of 2003. As a result of his enthusiasm, Bob Larrabee, Finney's old roommate, attended the reunion and also caught the UCA vision.
In the fall of 2003, Davis and Linnea Torkelsen (UCA’s Alumni and Development Director) invited a small group of alumni, including Finney and Larrabee, to a special meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm about how to strengthen the school’s development program. Torkelsen and Davis came prepared to present a wide variety of options, but instead opened the meeting to suggestions.
“Let’s start a foundation!” was the unanimous consensus of the members present. Foundation board members, including former roommates and dynamic duo Finney and Larrabee, are excited about working together to make funding possible for students whose futures will be changed by a Christian education—a legacy they hope will continue. The combined expertise and commitment of the board is astounding. Susan Davis serves as the foundation’s executive director and Linnea Torkelsen, UCA alumni and development director, is the foundation’s liaison with the academy.
Although the foundation is governed independently of the school, it exists solely for its benefit; its primary purpose is to provide student scholarships. For more information about this exciting new foundation, contact Susan Davis, Executive Director, UCA Foundation, PO Box 31382, Spokane, WA 99223, ucafoundation@hotmail.com, or (509) 747-0955.
Eighteen of the 20 UCA students who received foundation scholarships show off their certificates. Several foundation board members are standing behind them.
