Annual Phonathon
The Parent & Family Association conducts a phonathon each year to raise funds to support the organizations goals and priorities. Students phone the homes of parents to ask for monetary support. Monies raised through the phonathon are allocated by the Parent & Family Advisory Board.
For the past several years, the priority for the board has been to support student scholarships. This money is available for residents and non-residents, students of all ages and majors and may be either need or merit based, or both. Each college has the authority to use it as determined to best fit the needs of its students. YOUR student can apply for Parent & Family Association scholarships, as well as other scholarships, by visiting the Dean's office in their college.
In the last year the Board also allocated money to the Leadership Institute, Museum of the Rockies and Day of Student Recognition. For the first time, the Board contributed funds to the Office of Student Involvement Service Saturday program. The program was strongly supported by all as a great way to get students positively involved in the community, to meet new people and to gain a range of volunteer experience.
Finally, the PFA has been increasingly active in providing resources directly to you...parents and families. The Parent tab on the home page was created as a result of the Parent & Family Association Board's determination and was redesigned in 2011. The Family Newsletter is also an initiative of the Board and has been reinvented as the Bobcat Quarterly. The GUIDE you may have received at Freshman Orientation is cosponsored by the PFA along with the Student Success Office. This is YOUR association and your donation today will help insure that you have the services that you want to help you as a parent or family member of an MSU student.
For any questions regarding the Parent/Family Association, please contact Terra Shewmaker at 406.994.2826 or terra.shewmaker@montana.edu. We need involved parents like you!
Testimonials from students who have received Parent/Family Association Scholarships:
I passionately desire to become the best teacher I can be, both professionally and personally, and that means learning everything I can while at MSU. I truly love children and want to see the next generation succeed and posper. Because of your gift, I am able to put more time and energy into both my studies and community involvement. - Jackie
I extend my sincerest thanks to you for financially supporting students like myself pursuing a degree in agriculture. Without the support of donors like you, many students would struggle to continue their education. I truly appreciate your generosity. - Mark
This scholarship will help me reach my educational goals because I am an out-of-state student and tuition is expensive for me. It really means a lot and the money will be put to good use. - Michael
I will be the first to graduate from college in my family and the first to attend graduate school from any of my extended family. My research will focus on the Latinos in the Gallatin Valley since little is known about coping and adaptation among Mexican migrants to a new settlement area. I am proud to be the recipient of this scholarship especially because of the financial situations I have been in. This scholarship will help me continue my education and achieve my ultimate goals. - Yanet
The PFA Scholarship helps me with the financial aspect of my education which will eventually lead me to achieving so many more of my lifelong aspirations. Your donation makes it possible for me to seize more opportunities and I am grateful for your support. - Amanda
This scholarship is important to me because I believe strongly in my education, and I want to continue to be able to help as many people as I can during and upon the completion of my education. I plan on continuing my education to receive a Masters in Public Health and then obtaining a career with an organization that is dedicated to reducing health disparities locally and abroad. - Kelsey
Silent Auction
The PFA Board hosts a silent auction during Parent/Family Weekend. We are still in need of chairpersons for Fall Weekend 2013. Please ask how you can get involved!
In the past the Board has donated all the items for the auction and we've made as much as $5000 to direct 100% toward student scholarships. Ideas for this year, include soliciting all parents for donations to the auction via the email distribution list and also posting the items online prior to the weekend so that bids can be accepted by folks who aren't able to attend the festivities. We welcome your ideas and encourage you to participate!
Interested in donating items for our silent auction? Contact Terra.
General Giving
Please visit the foundation at http://www.montana.edu/wwwulf/give_now.htm anytime to make an online gift to the Parent/Family Association or to any other department or college involved with Montana State University. We always appreciate your support.
Previous Testimonials
I am writing to express my sincere thanks for being named a recipient of the Parent/Family Association Scholarship. I am a fifth-year student in Computer Engineering and Physics (double major) and, as such, it is difficult for me to continue to receive scholarships.... Therefore, please accept my deep appreciation for this generous scholarship. I hope that one day I can pay forward your generosity to another student in my situation, perhaps even through your generous fund.
Pat Kujawa
Student
Thank you for your recent $5,000 contribution to the MSU Libraries' general collection endowment fund. The PFA has demonstrated a very meaningful tradition of commitment to academic excellence here at MSU with gifts to the Libraries dating back to 1996.
Patricia Denison
Executive Director for Library Advancement and External Relations
Dana Fejes
Student
Dr. Gregory Young
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Student
