Those were the first four words from and the inspiration behind a letter that Steven Mungo ’81, a Wofford trustee and president and CEO of the Mungo Company in Columbia, S.C., sent over the summer asking loyal Wofford contributors to dig deep in support of students and families affected by the pandemic.
According to Carolyn Sparks, associate vice president for admission and director of financial aid, the ForWoffordStudents-2020 mini-campaign yielded $450,659, which was distributed among 100 students in awards ranging from $600 to $10,000.
“A significant number of incoming and returning Wofford students have had an unfavorable change in their family economic situation, putting them at risk of not being able to attend or return in the fall,” wrote Mungo. “Wofford is a family as much as a college. … I’d like to ask you to join me in helping these students stay part of the Wofford family.” Wofford students were given the opportunity to apply for the ForWoffordStudents-2020 scholarships over the summer. This college-based support was in addition to federal Cares Act funding distributed by the college in the spring.
The initiative worked. Wofford enrolled its largest class and most selective class in the college’s history, and retention for returning students topped 90%.
The Mungos personally committed the lead gift of $50,000 to the campaign. The majority of support came from members of the Wofford College Board of Trustees.
“This is another example of how Wofford alumni, trustees and friends of the college are committed to our students,” says Dr. David Wood, senior vice president for advancement. “All colleges and universities have faced challenges since the spring. Wofford remains fiscally strong thanks to good leadership and planning as well as support from people like the Mungos.”
By Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89