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Why Give

When you invest in the University of Findlay, you provide more than a gift. You provide opportunities - opportunities for students who might not be here without you.

A typical day for Eston Macharia '19 as an undergrad at UF began at midnight when he walked into his third shift full-time manufacturing job. He knew “it wasn't forever, but it helped pay the bills.” After his shift ended, he took a power nap before traveling to the University of Findlay for class. As the day ended, he was hopeful to see his 9-year-old son during the upcoming weekend, if he didn’t have to work overtime.

“When I decided to go back to school I had to prepare myself mentally and physically for not getting as much sleep as I used to. There were definitely days when it was rough, but I am motivated,” said Eston.

His motivation came in the form of three endowed scholarships. “I hope to have a career researching renewable sources of energy. Findlay’s small class sizes and one-on-one opportunities with professors created a better learning atmosphere to best prepare me for graduate school and reach that goal.”

Eston currently works as a fermentation technician at Envirozyme in Bowling Green, Ohio and is applying for graduate school at the University of Toledo for chemistry.

While a student at UF, Eston worked on researching the chemistry behind next generation electronic materials, like roll-up mobile devices. One day soon, this same type of electronic material could be incorporated into paints and even clothing, possibly allowing your suit to become a solar charging station for your roll-up mobile device. Eston hopes to make future sustainable discoveries like this someday.

Hi, I'm Madelynn, a senior marketing student. When I was looking at colleges, I knew I wanted a private education with small class sizes and immediately fell in love with UF, but scholarships also played a huge role in my decision. The scholarships I received from Findlay are the only reason I'm able to attend today.

My scholarships have helped me work far fewer hours so that I have more time to focus on my studies and life-changing opportunities. As a member of Habitat for Humanity, I was able to travel to Florida for alternative spring break where we worked together with students from other schools to build affordable housing for families in need.

I hope alumni reading this realize how important it is to support UF in order for the university to continue providing students with exemplary education and experiences. Someone gave back when you were in school and now it’s your turn. Someday it will be mine too.

You may not see how this support is personally affecting students’ lives, but I promise you it is. Generous donor support has allowed me to attend the school of my dreams, with so much less financial burden. I hope you’ll consider making a gift of any size for University of Findlay students today at give.findlay.edu. You're part of the journey to fulfill our dreams.

Thank you.

Madelynn Greenslade, senior marketing student
Business Oriented Women, Treasurer
Habitat for Humanity, Public Relations Chair
Delta Mu Delta Honor Society Member
Revive Member
Flag City Realtors, Marketing Intern
University of Findlay Student Development Officer

Maybe Someone Did It For You

Nicole Gerten '15 has a young family that makes things “extremely busy,” but also regularly reminds her of how fortunate she is to be at this stage of her life. It’s a reminder that serves a greater purpose, however, as Gerten has made it a point to regularly give back to the University that helped to afford her the life she currently enjoys.

Gerten was named the recipient of the Generation Orange Loyalty Trendsetter Award for five years of consecutive giving as a member of Generation Orange (graduates of UF up to 35 years of age). She said that harkening back to her struggles as a non-traditional student always serves to put things into perspective.

In her sophomore year of classes Gerten became pregnant and dropped out of classes. She wasn't sure what to do. After her son turned two, she realized that she couldn’t live a life without aspirations to better her future and that of her son, so she re-enrolled at UF and earned her degree. Now, as an alumna with a career at Marathon Petroleum in Findlay, Gerten has been married since 2016, and has added two more little boys to her family.

“It was a little difficult returning as a single mother, but the degree completion program helped tremendously. As a parent working full-time, the flexibility of being able to do assignments online when I could fit them in was incredible. They even regularly called and checked in with me. It was phenomenal.

I may not yet be able to donate a lot, but it’s so important to give back and help others,” she explained. “I was struggling and trying to make a better life for myself and my son, and I know what it’s like to need a hand. To me, it’s a simple ‘Why not?’”

--Nicole Gerten '15

On May 5, 2020, local entrepreneur, Nick Reinhart, generously matched every gift, up to $70,000, on UF's Day of Giving with a $100 donation to the Findlay Fund!

Nick, who sees UF as a pillar of the community and who “appreciates, values, and respects an education,” feels that Findlay is lucky to have its University. His gift helps to carry on the philanthropical outlook of other friends of the University, and, he said, he knows of no better institution in which to invest for the future than University of Findlay.

"It's a place I'm proud to call my alma mater and a place that continues to surprise me with its growth and potential. Someone did it for me, and I know I should take the opportunity to [give back] to the next generation of Oilers."

--Josh Schoenberger '01, Managing Partner of Williams & Schoenberger Co., LLC

Give Now

Your Gift Can:

provide immediate tuition scholarships for students in need
fund vital student services providing academic, emotional, physical and spiritual student support
attract and retain the best faculty committed to student success
help maintain and build new facilities comparable, if not superior to, facilities prospective students will see on recruiting trips to other schools
fund programs, services or student groups close to your heart

Did you know you can support students all year long through a convenient monthly recurring gift?

Monthly gifts allow you to give in manageable increments through automatic deductions from your credit card, debit card, or checking account. These transactions are processed through our secure system and allow you to support University of Findlay students all year long.

Give Monthly

Giving Societies

Every gift to The Findlay Fund makes a difference, whether it is one dollar, one hundred dollars or one thousand dollars.

The University of Findlay currently recognizes donors to the Findlay Fund of $1,000 or more through the President's Leadership Society and donors to our Equestrian Studies Programs through the Saddle Club.

Learn more about our giving societies.

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Why Give