The new UALR Student Philanthropy Council, Trojans Supporting Trojans, raised $3,000 by the end of the spring 2014 semester to help endow the Jennifer Boccarossa Endowed Scholarship.

The Student Philanthropy Council was established in the fall of 2013 to create a culture of giving by students and for students at UALR. Last semester, the founding 12 members were able to raise $2,000 for a different scholarship.

“Student Philanthropy Council members have worked hard, asking for donations from colleagues, classmates, churchmates, family members, almost anyone willing to help them give back to the university,” said UALR Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Membership Derek Boyce.

For the spring 2014 semester, the council grew to 25 members who unanimously elected to donate all proceeds to a scholarship that provides assistance to UALR students pursuing or continuing their education in the Department of Music.

The scholarship honors Boccarossa, who graduated from UALR and was a frequent soloist for the UALR Community Chorus and Concert Choir. She was only 30-years-old when she died in November 2013 of hypertensive stroke.

The Arkansas Federal Credit Union provided piggy banks for members to let their “change make change” and also purchased T-shirts for council members at the start of the academic year.

Members were able this semester to collect more than $800 in spare change. The rest of the $3,000 came from larger donations, including a contribution from Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Dr. Zulma Toro, whose office is a major supporter of the Student Philanthropy Council.

Boyce said the council will decide in this fall on two to four student programs, scholarships, or activities for the first-ever crowdfunding experience at UALR.

“Our goal is to generate campus-wide interest and support for worthy causes,” he said.

Students interested in joining the council for the fall 2014 semester can apply here.