$50,000 in Scholarships from Osher Foundation to Benefit Adult Reentry Students at Furman
Staff Report From Greenville CEO
Thursday, July 5th, 2018
Furman University Undergraduate Evening Studies has received a $50,000 grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation.
The grant supports UES Osher Reentry Scholarships for the 2018-19 academic year, enabling nontraditional adult learners to continue or supplement their education. Furman will offer Osher Reentry Scholarships to eligible students enrolled in either Furman’s UES program or the university’s undergraduate day program.
Including Furman, there are 93 universities and colleges with an Osher Reentry Scholarship program across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Said Furman Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost George Shields, “The grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation will help us recruit, attract and retain students who may not consider Furman University within their reach. We are grateful to the Foundation for helping us provide a rigorous liberal arts education to members of the local community—one that expands opportunities for professional advancement and leads to accelerated career and community impact for our graduates.”
In the application for the grant, Furman cited the need to close the talent gap in the current workforce and to attract more and better-qualified workers. UES Director Beth Crews noted that while the Greenville region is growing rapidly, the population is not keeping pace with the educational needs of the job market. “Furman’s UES prepares adult learners to fill the need for business leaders, resulting from the influx of new industry to our region,” said Crews.