Dollars for Scholars
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Benefactor
Oldfield donates $500,000 for scholarship groups
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by
Ray Parker
Lincoln Journal Star |
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Decked
out in a red fedora, Barney Oldfield announced Thrusday a gift of $500,000
to create grass-roots scholarship organizations across the state.
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His
gift is expected to provide $5 million in scholarships for Nebraska
students entering college over the next decade.
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| "Everything started for us here in Nebraska...and I want the impact to last here in Nebraska forever," said the 90-year-old philanthropist during a news conference inside the Capitol. | |
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The retired Air Force colonel flew into Lincoln form his home in Beverly
Hills, Calif., to kick off formation of the Vada
Kinman Oldfield and Col. Barney Oldfield Nebraska Dollars for Scholars
organization. The $500,000 will be used for start-up costs of the
new group, which will fan out across the state creating local chapters.
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"This
will touch every community...(and) rob every child of the excuse that
they can't afford to go to college,"
said Nebraska Commissioner of Education, Doug Christensen.
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Others
also praise the new statewide scholarship initiative that will provide
the know-how for volunteers to begin local Dollars for Scholars chapters.
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For
More Information
check out the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America - the parent organization of Dollars for Scholars |
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William Nelson said Oldfield's donation will multiply by the "power of 10" over the next decade. Nelson is president of the national, nonprofit organization that oversees setting up local Dollars for Scholars chapters- all made up of volunteers. "This is about the local community coming together to solve its own problems," he said. "Once started chapters spread out throughout the state. ...We've seen Iowa grow from five to 75 chapters in the last few years." |
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Each
local chapter does its own fund-raising and gives out scholarships according
to its own criteria. There are already local chapter in Omaha and Denton.
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Jennifer
Soucie, a junior at UNL, has benefited from the Denton Dollars for Scholars
group, which formed in 1991 and has awarded Denton students $41,000
in scholarships so far.
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"It's
a great incentive to succeed in school when you know people in your
hometown believe in you."
said Soucie, who has received a $1,000 scholarship for three years.
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Oldfield had a long public relations career, which included a stint
as press secretary for Gen. Dwight Eisenhower during World War II. Over
the years, he and his late wife, Vada Kinman, have given money for various
causes in Nebraska.
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Last
year, Oldfield announced he'd give $1,000 to each of the 59 kindergartners
at Tecumseh, Nemaha Valley and Sterling schools if they graduate from
high school. Another $1,000 check will be given if the student continues
at a Nebraska college.
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 Dollars for Scholars staff welcomed to FEF Click to Enlarge |
 NE Gov. Mike Johanns article Click to Enlarge |
