CNU receives $1 million challenge grant for scholarship program

News Release - Aug. 17, 2006

Media Contact:
Carolyn Cuthrell
Office of Communications and Public Relations
(757) 594-7331

CNU President Paul Trible and Dr. Sarah Forbes. Photo copyright Ian Bradshaw.

(NEWPORT NEWS, Va.) — Christopher Newport University President Paul Trible announced  on Thursday a $1 million gift to the CNU Endowed Merit Scholarship Challenge Campaign from Newport News physician Sarah Forbes. Dr. Forbes’ donation provides a dollar-for-dollar match for other gifts over the next five years giving the challenge campaign the potential to double to $2 million. The endowed scholarship will provide annual awards to academically talented students. Speaking to a welcoming assembly for faculty, Trible said, “These scholarships are imperative for CNU because it is the combination of great teaching and great students that creates academic excellence. Dr. Forbes’ gift to the Endowed Merit Scholarship Challenge Campaign means CNU will become more and more competitive in recruiting high-achieving freshmen.”

Dr. Forbes, who spent most of her life in Newport News, graduated from the University of Rochester, in Rochester, N.Y. Her mother, a school teacher, saved to pay much of her tuition, but Dr. Forbes also received academic scholarships after her first year in college. She received her medical degree from MCV in 1954 and has been in private practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology since 1958. Dr. Forbes was the first female physician in Newport News to establish a practice in that specialty.

“What God has enabled me to achieve is not enough if I don’t share it,” said Dr. Forbes, explaining her generosity toward CNU.

The CNU Endowed Merit Scholarship Challenge Campaign, created in 2004, is an entrepreneurial campaign that challenges alumni, friends and companies to make merit freshman renewable scholarship gifts at a minimum of $12,500. These gifts are then doubled through matching dollars.

With an endowed scholarship program, the principal is never touched. Through additions and investments, the endowment grows and funds become available to distribute for scholarship awards. The annual awards represent 5 percent of the fund’s value, based on the calendar year-end average balance.

This academic year, eleven merit scholarships totaling approximately $25,000 will be awarded to qualified students.