Private scholarships have made the difference for hundreds of UALR students, including three very grateful ones who took the time to express their thanks during Thursday evening’s comprehensive campaign kickoff gala.

A video message from UALR students Casey Godelfer, Krystal Handy, and Jason Holland was aired during the gala. In it, they talked about their goals for the future – and their appreciation for the private donors who have helped make their educational dreams come true. The event was held to thank donors for their early support during the silent phase of the campaign and to encourage others to join the It’s Time for UALR cause.

As a nursing student, Godelfer is exposed to many different learning experiences during the course of a day. The leukemia survivor – and Walker Scholarship recipient – is completing clinical rounds at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) this semester, and she hopes to become a nurse in the oncology ward at ACH when she completes her degree in two years.

“I feel very confident that I know what to expect and I can handle any situation even if I haven’t been presented with it before,” Godelfer said. “The instructors are great and they make you feel comfortable and confident in what you are doing. It’s really is the most challenging academic experience I’ve ever had. I have a master’s degree, and I went to Stanford University for undergrad. I would say my UALR experience is more rigorous in some ways than both of those programs.”

Handy knows the challenges involved in her chosen field, but because of a UALR private scholarship, she’s ready to meet them head on. The construction management junior has chosen a field dominated by men, and she wants to become the CEO of her own construction firm.

“It really makes a difference to not have to worry about money and be able to focus on your education,” Handy said. “For your family to not have to worry about how they are going to pay for next semester is a big relief. This would not be possible if it were not for a scholarship so I would just have to say thank you.”

Having a positive return on investments is the name of the game for Holland, who is a student in the Master of Business Administration program. After receiving a private scholarship, the UALR undergraduate became a triple threat – earning degrees in finance, economics, and accounting.

“I think of everything as an investment, every dollar I spend, every moment of my time that I give anywhere is an investment,” Holland said. “Providing scholarship money is a wise investment for students and the community. When the scholarship came, it allowed me to focus on doing internships and resume-building activities so that I was well positioned to stay here and contribute to central Arkansas.”

Dubbed It’s Time for UALR, the campaign seeks to raise $75 million to benefit students, faculty, academic programs, and the campus learning environment. A group of community leaders and UALR faculty and staff have already rallied more than halfway to the goal, which should be met before December 2011.