12
March
2015
|
15:12 PM
America/Chicago

Hamman Foundation Continues to Support Honors Program with $15,000 Grant

The University of Houston-Downtown recently received a grant award in the amount of $15,000 from the Hamman Foundation to provide scholarship support for students entering the University Honors Program.

The Hamman Foundation was established in 1954 under the direction of Mary Josephine Hamman. Its primary aim is to assist college and university students with scholarships, fund scientific and medical research, aid in the advancement of religion and provide aid for the needy. The Foundation has given $74.6 million in grants and scholarships over its 60 years of service to the community.

The Hamman Foundation previously awarded UHD a $10,000 grant in FY 2014, which was used to provide $2,000 scholarships for four incoming Honors students in fall 2014. The remaining $2000 has been allocated for a summer 2015 award.

The fall 2014 scholarship recipients offered words of gratitude to the foundation.

One student expressed the peace of mind he finds in knowing his expenses are covered:

 

"The support from this scholarship has eased my mind about school expenses and has helped me take more time off work to focus on my studies."

 

Another noted that the scholarship has made possible what once seemed impossible:

 

"Growing up in a single parent household, education was just a child's dream. Now, this scholarship is a stepping stone on the path to greatness that will be my career."

 

The University Honors Program was created in response to institutional data indicating UHD has tripled the application rate of first-time-in-college students who graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class. The program focuses on communication, critical thinking and civic responsibility. Faculty mentors, intensive academic support services and service learning opportunities are program hallmarks. Student enrollment in the first Honors Program cohort totaled 26 students, which exceeded the anticipated initial class of 20 students. In spring 2015, 24 students returned to the program, an impressive 92% retention rate.

"The continued growth of UHD's Honors Program will play an integral part in fulfilling the University's goal to prepare students to participate in a 21st century economy," said Johanna Wolfe, vice president of advancement and university relations. "The foundation's support has been critical in creating this special program, which offers students an enriched and engaging scholastic opportunity."