There were numerous reasons why Emporia State University’s recently-completed Homecoming activities were notable.
During and after the Black and Gold Gala on Friday night, a short meet-the-need fundraiser has generated over $1 million for students. Starting with a $5,000 base, attendees donated at least $5,000 to be matched dollar-for-dollar by an unnamed individual and then kicking in a $20,000 match from the Foundation, meaning a $5,000 donation turned into $30,000. In less than 10 minutes, $900,000 was raised on site and donations continue to come in. On KVOE’s Talk of Emporia this week, Foundation CEO Jason Drummond says this comes with some students facing tough financial questions.
Details on how the donations will be used are pending. Drummond says this was the culmination of conversations dating back to March.
Organizers also went off-script another time, surprising outgoing President Ken Hush with a Lifetime Achievement Award. To say the least, Hush was floored.
There were other signs of success, whether it was student participation in activities, the most heavily-attended Homecoming musical in 15 years, nearly $14,000 in SOS funding through the Phi Delta Theta Pole Sit or, as Vice President for Engagement Kala Maxfield notes, attendance at sporting events during the Year of Celebration — a year of free general admission to all home games, regardless of the sport.
Maxfield was pleased to see the community interaction during Homecoming.
To Hush, who is retiring next month after nearly four years at the helm, this wasn’t your regular Homecoming — but it’s one that indicates the direction of ESU.
Looping to Black and Gold, ESU honored Shirley Antes, Sean Bird, Joretta Duncan, Steve Harmon and Dr Marilee McBoyle-Wiesner as Distinguished Alums. Sally Sanchez, Jeremy Rusco, the Jones Foundation, Jane Reeble, Dr John Rich, Dan Hawkins and Sam and Jeannene Hayes received Presidential Awards. The event also recognized outstanding students, giving the Scholar Award to biology major Airyn Laird of WOodward, Oklahoma, and music major Corban Collins of El Dorado Springs, Missouri. Art major Adrie Powell from Brookville and business major Cooper Schroer of Strong City were given the Trailblazer Award. Rising Star Awards went to psychology major Briar Esterline of El Paso, Texas, and to nursing major Jenna Smith of Olpe.
