President's Gala raises $104,504 for scholarships at Shawnee State

The Shawnee State University Foundation held its annual President’s Gala on April 26, 2025 to support the Friends of Shawnee State Scholarship Fund. Bringing together over 300 donors, sponsors, faculty, alumni, staff, and students, the event raised $104,504 and celebrated the university’s ongoing and upcoming initiatives.

At the event, SSU President Eric Andrew Braun thanked those in attendance as well as those supporters that made gifts towards the scholarship fund. During his speech, he also shared details on key initiatives within the university, including the expansion of health science programs to address critical workforce shortages, connecting students to in-demand and high-paying jobs in the regional community, as well as addressed the plans for new facilities and updates for the baseball, softball, and track and field programs at and around Spartan Stadium and Branch Rickey Park.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, the Shawnee State University Foundation distributed $512,486 in scholarship dollars to 303 SSU students.

"It was a terrific night to see our wonderful supporters, celebrate accomplishments of our students and colleagues, and share our plans for growth,” SSU Chief Advancement Officer Chris Moore said. “Most importantly, with the help of our attendees, we were able to raise scholarship dollars that will turn into direct support for our students."

The Friends of Shawnee State Scholarship fund was established in 2002 to provide additional tuition assistance to those students in need. In the past five years, the scholarship fund has been expanded to impact more students and their ability to attend college through increased fundraising initiatives. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the Shawnee State University Foundation distributed $512,486 in scholarship dollars to 303 SSU students.

$104,504

Raised by over 300 attendees and sponsors at the 2025 President’s Gala

To learn more about the Shawnee State University Foundation and its impact on Shawnee State University’s campus, visit givetossu.com.

To view the full 2025 President’s Gala Photo Gallery, click the button below.