Promise Fest a Smashing Success

     The ambitious conception of a fundraiser to raise money for low income students participating in GSU's Dual Degree Program came to fruition last month with the kickoff of GSU's first ever Promise Fest.

     The brainchild of students Bianca Mangabhai, Daniel Ellington, Jeffrey Wyskiel, Teena Dorn, and Nia Robertson of Professor Don Wlodarski's Advertising and Marketing class, the October 4 and 5 festivities of Promise Fest included a comedy performance by Damon Williams, a 5K run, and a craft fair. These activities garnered support, funds, and notoriety of the community college affiliated Dual Degree Program.

     GSU President Elaine Maimon expressed her satisfaction with the success of Promise Fest and the accomplishment of its founding members.

     "I am deeply impressed that a group of students took a class assignment and expanded it to a university-wide philanthropic program," said Maimon.  "It's gratifying to know that GSU students are committed to 'paying it forward' and helping future students."

     "I think it was a great success," said Bianca Mangabhai, an international student and one of the core initiators of Promise Fest.  "I was honored to have the opportunity to work with such an ambitious group and I hope that next year this event would be an even bigger success than it was this year.  It is such a great feeling to give back." Mangabhai went on to encourage future students to "take the opportunity to not only be a part of Promise Fest, but to be a part of a dream come true."

     According to Dr. Randi Schneider, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, seven students from participating colleges have applied for GSU Promise Scholarships for the Spring 2014 semester. 

     "To date, 25 GSU Promise Scholarships have been awarded to low income students in the DDP," said Schneider.  "This number is likely to go up to 30 after the final decisions are made for the spring semester.  GSU is committed to having up to 50 students on a Promise Scholarship at any one time. For these students, GSU pays the total cost of tuition, fees, and books that are not covered by the Pell and Map Grants."

     Tom Fitzhugh, a current Joliet Junior College student, is ecstatic about being one of these recipients.  "When I applied last semester, I didn't expect that I was (going to) get it.  I didn't know how many people had applied, or how much people had invested in this.  Knowing that I've been accepted... I don't have to stress about paying for school, and I don't have to take out loans.  I can work my job full time, I can pay for my apartment, and I can survive."

     Fitzhugh is looking forward to graduating this fall at JJC, and attending GSU this coming spring.  "My degree is in human communications, and I am basically trying to get myself involved with extracurricular activities," said Fitzhugh.  "It gives me an opportunity to advance myself.  This is my last semester at JJC, and I'll graduate with my Associate's.  It's made my life work out perfectly the last couple months.  It's just perfect, I can't express it enough."

     Applications for the Fall 2014 semester will be available over the next few weeks to eligible Dual Degree Program students at local community colleges, and are due in mid-February.