University of Missouri-bound southwest Missouri high school graduates will be the big winners Thursday and Friday as the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the MU Alumni Association hosts a two-day scholarship fundraiser in Springfield.
The Tiger Ball & Scholarship Auction presented by Meyer Farms and Meyer Communications is at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, with a special appearance by Chancellor Alexander Cartwright.
The event features silent and live auctions (register at bidpal.net/mutigerball) that include a Mizzou-logoed wine barrel, scooter, autographed memorabilia from some of the biggest football names in the coach Gary Pinkel era and much more.
Additionally, the MU Alumni Golf Classic presented by Great Southern Bank has 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. rounds on Friday at Millwood Golf & Racquet Club. Call 417-889-3100 to sign up.
Tables of eight for the Tiger Ball are $300, or $40 for an individual. The golf tournament is $750 for a foursome, with morning rounds available, and includes four tickets to the Tiger Ball. Golfers receive a Mizzou-logoed golf vest, continental breakfast, lunch, on-course beverages and snacks, with trophies in several divisions.
The events have raised $150,000 toward scholarships in recent years, said Andy Stewart, President of the Greater Ozarks chapter.
And the scholarships are significant.
“Everyone says that college is expensive, but I didn’t realize the truth of that statement until I had books to buy, tuition to pay, groceries to purchase, housing costs, and the list goes on,” said Sarah Winton, a Springfield Catholic High School graduate now at Mizzou. “I am truly grateful for the assistance of the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the MU Alumni Association Scholarship. I started nursing school this year, and having financial assistance has allowed me to focus on my studies while worrying less about how I will pay for school.”
Caroline Langley, a Kickapoo High School graduate, and Fair Grove High School graduate Megan Wahlquist echoed those comments.
“This scholarship has impacted me because it has helped me to go through school having one less worry on my mind: having to pay for school,” Langley said. “The fees for my specific college are about to go up. However, having this scholarship, I know I will hopefully be able to bridge this gap. Hopefully, once I graduate, I will be able to pay it forward and help other Mizzou students attend this wonderful university.”
Wahlquist penned this letter last fall to the chapter, writing, “This scholarship will cover all of my supplies for classes this year. That means a lot to me because I really struggled to keep up (financially) with them last year.”