A Message from the CLA Development Team

A Message from the CLA Development Team

Your generosity of spirit has been a lifeline to our students this year. Thank you for all you continue to do for UMD; from mentoring students to offering financial support to just being a fan, we are grateful for you. The challenges our students faced this year were unlike any other. Every bit of financial support awarded to our students boosted their spirits and gave them the space needed to concentrate on their studies. 

This past year we initiated several news ways to support our students. 

Emergency support: Through our general CLA Dean’s Excellence Fund we have provided emergency support for students across the college this year. These awards between $250 to $1,000 have bridged the gap for students and families that lost employment or faced a financial hardship for another reason. Gifts to this fund will continue to help students through this crisis. 

UMD’s Scholarship in Honor of George Floyd Jr.: UMD established this meaningful scholarship to help enhance the diversity of the student body at UMD. Students who have financial need and have been the victims of police violence are also encouraged to apply for this scholarship. This year’s recipient, Mahjur Ahmed, is a computer science major and photography enthusiast who took to the streets to document the protests in Minneapolis over the summer. 

CLA’s Experiential Learning Opportunities Fund: Dean Youde established this fund to help students wishing to pursue opportunities outside of the classroom. Too often students are faced with having to turn down an internship or a chance to study abroad because they don’t have the financial means. We also know that these are the very sort of experiences that set our students apart and give them a leg up in the job market. By providing monetary assistance, we hope to open up these opportunities to all of our students, regardless of financial situation. 

Your gift to any of these funds furthers our mission to provide equal opportunities for all of our students. If you would like to talk more about how to best make an impact at UMD, please give me a call at 218-726-6708 or email me at [email protected]. I would love to talk with you.

Warmly,

Jennifer Berges

Director of Development, CLA

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