The Libraries’ Donors & Scholars event connects the legacies of students and donors

The NC State University Libraries student scholarship awardees and scholarship donors gathered in the Hunt Library’s Duke Energy Hall for a Donors & Scholars reception on February 23.

The Libraries awards a number of part-scholarships every year to its outstanding Libraries student workers as part of a concerted effort to support student success and affordability. Since 2018, the Libraries has awarded 35 scholarships of varying amounts totaling $119,000. For the academic year 2022–23, philanthropic support for the Libraries Student Scholarship Fund has allowed the Libraries to support ten talented student workers with scholarships worth $36,000 in total.

"This was a special event because it allowed donors to connect with student scholarship recipients and see firsthand the impact of their investment in the Libraries,” says Libraries Executive Director of Development Jeremy Allen. “It also emphasized to our students, as recipients of someone else's philanthropy, the importance of paying it forward. The scholarships highlighted through Donors & Scholars are so important because they reward our outstanding student employees and reduce the financial burden of their education."

The evening began with a dinner and opening remarks by Senior Vice Provost and Director of Libraries Greg Raschke.

“Libraries typically haven’t provided scholarships the way colleges and departments have,” Raschke said. “The financial burden of higher education is very real in the lives of our students. Because of this, the Libraries wanted to do more than just hire students. We wanted to make a significant impact on the lives of our wonderful student workers by offering need-based scholarships that help mitigate the ever-rising costs of higher education, to level the playing field and empower them to focus on their studies and emerge from undergrad with as little debt as possible.”

Scholarship recipients Callie McAdoo ‘23 and Laura Alvarez ‘23 then spoke about what the Libraries—and its donors’ support—has meant to them.

Callie McAdoo is studying Global Perspectives and International Studies and she works in Libraries Administration. After graduation, she hopes to pursue graduate studies and work in a humanitarian organization. A first-generation college student, she shared that she had no idea where to begin with the college application process or what to do when she got accepted at NC State. A relative who worked at the Libraries helped guide her to the student scholarships available.

“I’m standing before you because I have received this scholarship from the Libraries for the past two years, which I realize is a great opportunity considering the Libraries have not always had these awards to give to students, and the program is growing each year,” McAdoo said. “Through the libraries and this scholarship, I’ve gained so many great skills and met many wonderful people. I’m sure the other student workers can relate, but this job has also really helped me learn to balance my schoolwork and my job.”

Laura Alvarez is a junior majoring in Accounting and minoring in Global Leadership and Team Decision-making, and currently works in the Design Library as a student assistant. Born in Medellin, Colombia, she moved to the United States at the age of 11. In 2018, Alvarez began her studies in International Business at the University of Medellin and transferred to NC State in January 2021.

“It is an honor for me to be selected as one of the scholarship recipients,” Alvarez told the donors. “Your contributions have made a significant impact in our lives and it’s been easier for us to pursue our dreams. Your donations have not only provided financial support, but have also offered a sense of validation and encouragement.”

“I’ve been working in the Design Library for almost two years and I can say that I found the perfect work-study balance because while I work, I can improve my soft skills  and focus on my studies at the same time.”

After the students spoke, Nancy Kuivila, the Immediate Past President of the Friends of the Library, gave remarks. She reflected on the transformational power of education made possible by scholarships—both in the lives of students like Alvarez and McAdoo, and in her own and her husband Robert Maddin’s lives. Kuivila and Maddin have served on the Friends of the Libraries board and book longtime donors to the Libraries.

Maddin grew up in Tulsa and lost his father when he was sixteen. His mother was left to support three children on a secretarial salary. Thanks to scholarship support he was able to attend the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York. His sisters were also able to attend the colleges of their choice thanks to scholarships. Kuivila’s parents, both from modest backgrounds, were able to attend Ohio State University because of financial aid, and both graduated with degrees in chemistry.  After graduation, her mother worked for several years as a lab chemist and eventually owned her own real estate business. Kuivila’s father went on to get his Ph.D. from Harvard and had a long career in university teaching, research, and consulting.

“When it was time for my brothers and me to attend college, they were able to send us to the schools of our choice and their grandchildren have all attended college as well,” Kuivila said. “So a scholarship is truly a legacy gift that keeps on giving for generation after generation after generation.”