Philanthropies
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February 2019
Fortified by FaithWilliam Pham was pictured in the winter 2017–18 issue of President’s Report. He is studying strategic management and plans to graduate in 2019. He is currently interning with Disney’s special events management team at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. “BYU has given me the skills to excel as an employee, leader, innovator, husband, and person,” he says.Yours is among the 18,578 households that donated to Brigham Young University last year. Students, faculty, administrators, and trustees are grateful for your generosity.
This report includes thanks from the students whose BYU experience is enhanced, or in some cases even made possible, because of you. BYU President’s Report highlights fundraising accomplishments and emphasizes the helpful effects of your donations on individuals and the university.
You Make a Difference for Students
William Pham, a student pictured in last year’s President’s Report, wrote to the donors who provided his scholarship: With your help, I have been able to get on track to graduate from college, something that no one in my family has ever done before. Not only will I graduate with a degree and make a better life for myself and my family, but I also have had opportunities to give back to those around me and around the world. I just recently completed the Ballard Center’s program of social innovation. I intend to put the principles of impact, sustainability, and innovation to use in whatever field I land in.
Thank you for allowing me to have these opportunities that will surely impact the rest of my life.
More Than Two Decades of Fundraising News
For 21 years President’s Report has shared stories of accomplishment like Pham’s. The then-and-now examples on this and the next page show the difference you are making in Provo and around the world.
You improve the BYU experience for BYU’s amazing students, as donations provide scholarships and other kinds of student aid.
You fund mentored-student learning and student-conducted research. Among other educational upgrades, donations make capstone projects and business-plan competitions possible. Donor-funded programs, projects, centers, and buildings enhance the inspiring learning that BYU provides.
Reporting Back and Looking Forward
Last year we asked donors to tell us what they liked about President’s Report and how to make it better. The changes in this issue of the report reflect what we learned from that survey. The writers and editors of this publication are grateful for the feedback we received, and we will continue asking for your input.
One donor, whose favorite article was President Kevin J Worthen’s “BYU: Excellent and Unique,” wrote, “I love BYU and its mission, so articles like this resonate for me. Thanks for being such a strong beacon of light and goodness.”
Another donor, who enjoyed the “Committed to Excellence” student stories, wrote, “It illustrates with real-life, world-class examples the principles of service learning and scholarly mentoring that BYU is emphasizing at present.”
Overall, the survey confirmed one important fact: those who give in support of BYU are generous and want to help others succeed. Thank you for your support!
Pendant, Photo, and Hankie Remind Scholarship Student to Reach Out
In the winter 2009–10 issue, then nursing student and BYU student-athlete Stephanie Jensen (now Bills) shared her story of three mementos and how they reminded her each day to serve others. Stephanie met her husband, Kevan, at BYU, and they are the parents of three daughters. “My BYU experience taught me to be a healer and a positive contributor,” Stephanie says. “BYU helped create in me desires to do good and be good.”
To Give, or Not to Give
Brian Ricks earned three degrees from BYU. As a student in Provo, he learned that the Lord provides opportunities for us to serve others. His story was in the fall 2013 issue. Today Ricks is a father of five and a professor of computer science at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His current research focuses on developing virtual reality games to help stroke survivors rehabilitate more quickly.
As we near Brigham Young University’s sesquicentennial, our campus is charged with becoming “a Christ-centered, prophetically directed university of prophecy.” We have come a long way in nearly 150 years, but we are not there yet.
For many students receiving a scholarship or other financial assistance from donors is a blessing. For others it can only be described as “life-changing”.
Many students benefit from mentoring opportunities on campus that are sponsored by donors. And although Katie King knew that her scholarship and many of the facilities at BYU were provided by donors, she was surprised to learn that her job is donor-funded as well.