Download a PDF of the Spring/Summer 2004 Issue

Empowerment: Togive someone thepower he or sheneeds to achieve aparticular goal orset of goals.By Steve EdmistenVice President for AdvancementSometimes empowerment may take the very tangibleform of financial or material support that helps an individualattain resources critical to the achievement of their goals. Atother times empowerment takes intangible forms, formsmore difficult to actually touch. Yet it is often theseintangible forms of empowerment that provide the mostprofound benefit, the longest lasting goodness.These intangible forms of empowerment are generallyexpressed in very powerful terms, terms such as knowledge,experience, skill, and opportunity. And there are those inthis world, many in fact, who take great joy in giving thesespecial, empowering gifts. These special people are knownby many good names: benefactor, philanthropist, supporter,and friend, to name a few.Many of these truly special people have learned thatthere is a way to empower others in a very positive way byproviding one simple, yet vital opportunity for youngpeople. What is this amazing gift that is so empowering toso many? It is the precious, priceless, and life-long gift ofeducation.At University of the Ozarks, providing the gift ofeducation is what we are all about, and we constantly seek topartner with others who enjoy giving the gift of education aswell. This is why the University’s Annual Scholarship Fundis so special. The Annual Scholarship Fund is the linkbetween those who wish to do good things for young peopleand young people who might never have been empowered toexcel in life. It provides a way to transform gifts of financialsupport into the amazing empowerment of young men andwomen through the priceless gifts of knowledge, experience,skill, and opportunity.Simply put, there is no more important way to empoweryoung people at Ozarks than by making a gift to the AnnualScholarship Fund each year. And there is a special secretexperienced only by those who empower Ozarks’ students inthis special way. When you empower an Ozarks’ student,you too are empowered with special feelings of satisfaction,○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○Simply put, there is no moreimportant way to empoweryoung people at Ozarks than bymaking a gift to the AnnualScholarship Fund each year.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○happiness, and the overpowering sense of having made areal, positive, and lasting difference in the life of anotheryoung man or woman.It is with these thoughts and values in mind that theUniversity has chosen this year’s theme for the AnnualScholarship Fund to be “Empower an Eagle.” At some pointduring the year, you will receive an invitation from a currentor former Ozarks’ student encouraging you to “Empower anEagle.” I think you will agree that the striking image of anOzarks graduate on the pledge card (pictured above)certainly captures the essence of educational empowermentat Ozarks. When you receive this special invitation from acurrent or former Ozarks’ student, please help that studentempower other students by sending your gift to the AnnualScholarship Fund. Perhaps the neatest thing about thisopportunity is that it will empower you too!If you wish to Empower an Eagle immediately, simplysend your check to University of the Ozarks, Attn.Advancement, 415 N. College Ave., Clarksville, AR 72830,or phone 479-979-1230 for assistance with a credit cardpayment.10 Today, SPRING/SUMMER 2004