How many people believe in their place of employment so much that they regularly invest the money they earn from there back into the organization?  Frank Byrne and Julia Coll do just that, and because of their generosity, area residents are going to benefit in a great way.

            Byrne, a professor of English and linguistics at SSU; and Coll, a professor of foreign languages, applied linguistics, and education, and Byrne’s wife; have contributed to the establishment of two scholarships at Shawnee State University.

            One scholarship is already in place and is in Byrne’s father’s memory.  Byrne said he and Coll had money taken out of their checks every month for the scholarships, but not so much that it negatively impacted their lives.

            “It wasn’t all that noticeable.  And we’ve been doing this for quite a while.  The funds built up with the idea that eventually we would reach $10,000—the minimum amount of money for a scholarship.  We were happy to do that.  We believe strongly in giving something back to the University,” Byrne said.

A while later, Byrne’s mother gave a large sum of money to SSU, totally independent of Byrne.  She donated it to the University for use by her son, for whatever project he had in mind.

“She did this twice as a matter of fact.  So I said why don’t we just use this towards the scholarship and the second time she did this, the scholarship money went over the top.  We exceeded $10,000.  So that’s in place and it’s in memory of my father,” he said.

Byrne contacted Susan Warsaw, SSU’s director of development, and told her that they have one scholarship in place now but money is still being taken out of their checks every pay period for the same scholarship.  He and Coll felt like it was time to begin working on establishing another one. 

“She said that sounds like a good idea, so she took out the documents, we signed a pledge for another $10,000, and it will continue to accumulate from payroll deductions.  And it’s not so much that you even notice it.  It’s a nice way of doing things.  Also, it guarantees students here at SSU—deserving students.  What better way, to grow, than through this way.  The more scholarships we have the better off we are.  I was more than happy to do it.  You don’t even feel it.  And in the end it is a significant amount of money that builds up and makes a difference,” Byrne said.

One positive aspect about the scholarships that Byrne and Coll have set up is that only a certain amount of the principal is spent every year, allowing the scholarship to grow perpetually.

Byrne’s first scholarship was designed for non-first-year students who are interested in linguistics and foreign languages, and who have excelled in those areas.  The second one is currently for the same group of students.

“However, I might want to use it for attracting foreign students here, with some kind of financial aid,” Byrne said.

Current SSU students who have excelled in foreign languages and linguistics should apply for the Francis X. Byrne Scholarship, Byrne’s first scholarship.  They must be a sophomore, junior, or senior, have a 3.0 overall GPA and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in linguistics and foreign languages, and fill out the Shawnee State University scholarship form that is available in the SSU Office of Financial Aid.  The first recipient will be chosen for the 2002-2003 academic year.  Financial need will be considered, and all things equal, preference will be given to residents of Scioto, Pike, Lawrence, or Adams counties in Ohio, and Greenup, Lewis, or Boyd counties in Kentucky.

As far as the second scholarship is concerned, Byrne’s international credentials that were established through his work, his publishing, his books, and his articles, will come in handy when marketing SSU to the rest of the world. 

“I have many contacts throughout the world and this is something that can certainly make the University much more cosmopolitan, sophisticated, and a University where diverse ideas are present,” he said.

Byrne has worked with Professor John Lorentz, the director of the Center for International Programs and Activities (CIPA) at SSU, on this and says that it is a nice way to attract students to the University. 

            “It’s a good market and you know it’s one way of growing.  Most Universities in this country have 25 percent of their enrollment coming from other countries.  We have a nice product here and this is a small token that allows us to showcase it throughout the world,” he said. 

Byrne, who has been a professor at SSU since 1987, was named a senior Fulbright Professor at the University of Amsterdam during the 1993-94 academic year.  Last year he was working at Universitat Jaume I (James I University) SSU’s sister university in Castellon, Spain, which is on the eastern Mediterranean coast of Spain for a semester.  This was a program he set up, and he was honored to have been chosen as the first professor from SSU to teach there. 

“I just wish I could do more, but there’s only so much you can do.  We’re making our contribution, and hopefully, however small it is, it’s something,” Byrne said.

            Warsaw said the fact that Byrne and Coll add their philanthropy to the expertise, knowledge, and time they share with SSU's students, makes their gifts even more special.

“As faculty they know better than most people how vital the investments of our donors are to SSU, and we are so appreciative of their support,” she said.

            Michael Field, Ph.D., interim president of SSU, said that Byrne and Coll are to be commended for caring that much about the students at SSU.

            “I am grateful that Professors Frank Byrne and Julia Coll are a part of the Shawnee State University community.  Not only are they experts in their fields, they truly care about the students they teach.  They prove time and time again how much they care about what they do, about their students’ success, and the future of Shawnee State University,” Field said.

For more information about this and other scholarship opportunities at SSU, call the Office of Financial Aid at (740) 351-4243.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2001

(Article by Erica Fulton; Communications Specialist-SSU Office of Communications)

SSU Offers Financial Planning Workshop

            PORTSMOUTH, Ohio – Shawnee State University’s Community Education Program in the Office of University Outreach Services in conjunction with Creative Financial Solutions of Ironton, Ohio, is offering a financial workshop designed to help individuals make the most of their money.  The workshop will be held on November 13, 20, and 27.

            Megan Horne, program manager and School-to-Work coordinator for University Outreach Services, explained, “The workshop is for anyone who wants to have a better grasp of their finances, including debts and assets, mortgages, insurance, investments, credit, and what adjustments may or may not need to take place.”

            This is the first time University Outreach Services has offered such a workshop, but with budgeting more important than ever, they hope the workshop will provide valuable information to its participants.  The cost is $59 per person or couple for the three-day workshop that will be held in SSU’s Advanced Technology Center from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on November 13, 20, and 27.

“Financial planning can be scary and intimidating for many people.  This workshop can help individuals look at their own financial information and understand where they are what they can do to improve their financial state,” Horne said.  

 For more information or to sign up for the workshop, contact Universit Outreach Services at 740.351.3535.