by Kristin Whitman

VSU President William McKinney and his wife Dr. Dacia Charlesworth understand the struggles first-generation college students face, and they are working to help these students succeed.

The President’s Scholarship Gala, taking place March 20 at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Ballrooms, will feature an evening of dining and dancing to raise money for a new scholarship for VSU’s first-generation college students.

This scholarship is built in hopes to help students get to college and finish with a degree.

“All scholarships are important, but both Dr. Charlesworth and I were first-generation college students, and so we understand some of the unique challenges that these students face,” Dr. McKinney said. “We do not want any academically qualified students to have to leave VSU for financial reasons.”

This academic year, the VSU Foundation is providing close to $650,000 in scholarship support for over 300 VSU students, according to information VSU released concerning the gala.

According to McKinney, the money for this scholarship comes from donations, individuals and businesses sponsoring the gala, as well as all net proceeds from the event.

“I am not attending the gala, but I think the new scholarship is an awesome idea,” Mary Catherine Plymel, senior psychology major, said.