Economic Downturn Affects PSE Scholarships -- Your Help is Needed!

Scholarships awarded by the Pulp & Paper Foundation are funded in part by a market-based investment pool. With the recent sharp downturn in the yield of the market, the funds available for new freshman scholarships have decreased. For Fall 2009, the in-state award amount will be reduced for incoming freshmen, and the number of in-state and out-of-state awards will have to be decreased.

Scholarships play a critical role in attracting outstanding students into an applied program like Paper Science & Engineering. Now, more than ever, the program needs the strong support of alumni, friends, and companies if we are to continue our tradition of producing high-quality graduates for the industry.

During this difficult time, you can have a significant and positive impact on our success by considering the following:

> Making a personal donation to the Foundation -- Donations from individuals can be ear-marked 100 % for the scholarship fund, and they are tax-deductible. Did you know -- if only 30 % of our alumni donated $100 each year, we could offer 10 additional in-state awards or three more full-ride out-of-state awards? If you are interested in making an individual contribution, e-mail Med Byrd (med_byrd@ncsu.edu) or David Ashcraft (david_ashcraft@ncsu.edu).

> Getting your graduating class to endow an award -- Your graduating class can have a lasting effect on our program by endowing an award that will yield one new scholarship each year. If you can "round up" 10 classmates who will agree to give $500 each year for five years, you can have an award named after you. If you are interested in pursuing this option, and for help in contacting your classmates, e-mail David Ashcraft (david_ashcraft@ncsu.edu).

> Encouraging your company to join the Foundation! -- Annual dues paid by companies to the Foundation form a large part of the funding used for new scholarships. There are a surprising number of companies in the industry that are not Foundation members. To see if your company is a member, and to obtain information on membership levels, contact David Ashcraft at (david_ashcraft@ncsu.edu).