Annual Scholarship Night Connects Scholarship Students, Patrons

Webster University’s annual celebration connecting scholarship recipients and scholarship donors took place in a virtual setting on April 13. “Scholarship Night, Celebrating Generosity and Focusing on the Future” was a chance to congratulate Webster scholarship students and thank our scholarship patrons. Over 210 people from around the country joined the virtual event.

The event was emceed by Sarah Hill, a junior political science major who is also president of the Student Government Association.

Robert Reeg, chair of the Board of Trustees, opened the evening with reflections on the importance of supporting students in their journey at Webster University. Reeg explained why he and his wife, Cindy, recently gave a major gift for the newly named Reeg Academic Resource Center. The gift covers the costs of the renovations and expansion of services for the Center and supports a hub of several vital student resources.

Special video content included an animation reel created by students in the Animation program, profiles of students who have benefited from scholarships sharing their stories, as well as videos of four different patrons discussing why they give to Webster. Here is a video of Leadership Scholar, journalism major, and two-sport athlete Micah Barnes sharing her experience as a scholarship recipient.

Chancellor Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble and President Julian Z. Schuster also spoke, sharing stories about students who have benefited from scholarships, and the recent $1 million gift from Marianne and Peter Gleich to create the Gleich Honors College.

A student panel, hosted by Thao Dang-Williams, associate vice president for Academic Affairs, featured audience questions to three live student panelists: Millenia Wells, Andy Pham and Blake Browning (pictured below, left to right). 

Student Panelist Reflections

Here is a sampling of their reflections on the difference scholarships to Webster has made to them:

“[There are] many resources that are available to Black students on campus and the African American Alumni Chapter Association Endowed Scholarship is one of them. That is something I cherish because that lets me know there are alumni out there that are willing to listen to my story and invest in my future. That keeps me going and motivated toward accomplishing my goals.”

Millenia Wells, junior Biological Science major, Health and Medicine Emphasis 
African American Alumni Chapter Association Endowed Scholarship

“The scholarship I was offered [drew me to Webster]. That financial support was an inviting feeling, and I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about money as much. I knew Webster would be a good fit for me because of the international campuses and if I want to do international business, I need to get out and experience the world.”

Blake Browning, junior Management major, International Business emphasis 
Marianne E. Gleich, BA ’66 & Peter A. Gleich Endowed Scholarship Fund for International Business

“It’s uplifting that someone is reading through my application, caring, and seeing the potential in me and my future career. It’s also important because I hope that recipients today and future recipients continue to be awarded because our dreams of helping people is something that should be treasured. As the need for help continues to grow, I hope recipients continue to be awarded.”

Andy Pham, senior, Psychology major 
Adelaide G. Heverly Welge Endowed Scholarship Fund  
Liberal Arts & Sciences and Education Endowed Scholarship 

President Schuster and Chancellor Stroble closed the event and thanked all involved.

The final portion of the evening entailed social conversations among students and their scholarship patrons, allowing them to talk in small groups via Zoom “breakout” rooms. That virtual setting was a pandemic-related first for this annual event, but it was a fruitful one, allowing patrons from across the country to participate and interact with students.