Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University has been named "Generous U" for its student philanthropy, K-State Proud, by the Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy at Brandeis University.

K-State Proud is a student-led, nationally recognized fundraising campaign for K-State. Guided by the leadership of Student Foundation, the campaign encourages students to show their K-State pride through philanthropy. All student campaign donations establish Student Opportunity Awards for fellow K-State students. Since the first year of the campaign, students have established a culture of philanthropy by promoting the idea of "students helping students."

"The Generous U award is a well-earned accolade for the K-State Proud Campaign," said Abbey Brown, president of K-State’s Student Foundation and senior in management, Topeka. "Over the last seven years, K-State Proud has raised more than $650,000 for Student Opportunity Awards, and as a result, more than 300 students have been able to stay at K-State. This speaks volumes of the generosity and philanthropic hearts of K-State students. The Generous U award will help inspire the campaign team to keep creating innovative ideas and pursuing high goals in order to continue to serve the K-State community and help keep the K-State family together."

Established in 2009, "Generous U" is a national student philanthropy competition that annually recognizes university students who grow philanthropy and philanthropic values on their campus. The award includes a $5,000 prize.

K-State Proud was selected from a pool of 48 student entries nationwide — up from 21 last year. Three runners-up — the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Oklahoma — were awarded $1,000 each. Each submission required an essay and a companion video explaining the philanthropic program. Philanthropists, business people, university educators, and undergraduate and graduate students reviewed the videos and ranked the submissions for innovation, creativity, sustainability and potential to broaden philanthropy among students. Student clubs and groups use the cash awards to strengthen their campus organization and expand their charitable work.

"This national recognition highlights what we have known about K-State students for years: that they have a true heart for philanthropy," said K-State President Kirk Schulz. "The Student Foundation leaders who guide the K-State Proud campaign are truly advancing a culture of philanthropy at K-State and our goal of becoming a Top 50 public research institution by the year 2025."

Sponsored by the KSU Foundation, Student Foundation works with foundation staff and volunteers to fulfill the mission of uniting philanthropic desires with university priorities.

The Sillerman Center at Brandeis University was founded and endowed by Robert and Laura Sillerman in 2008. Its mission is to strengthen social justice philanthropy while broadening the process so that all kinds of people — young and old, rich and poor — participate in giving.