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Berea College - A College Like No Other, Uplifting Communities Through Tuition-Free College Education

Berea College’s mission is to provide a tuition-free college education to students who need it most

About this Giving Opportunity

31% Funded

$3,124.70

Donated of $10,000.00

 

TL;DR:

Berea College’s mission is to provide a world-class, tuition-free college education to students who need it most; with a continued commitment to interracial education, diversity, equity, inclusion, dismantling white supremacy and systemic racism. Together, we can help continue to educate over 1600 students with your generosity.  

 

Important notes for those giving via this Benevity campaign:

  • Please include a note of “Carter G. Woodson Center” or “PACE” to direct support to these efforts.
  • Gifts without special instructions will be applied toward general support (student scholarships).

 

Quick Facts:

  1. First coeducational and racially integrated College in the South since before the Civil War.

  2. tuition-free College since 1892.

  3. In 1908, Berea College fought Kentucky's Day Law in the U.S. Supreme Court to offer a racially integrated education.

  4. Home to Carter G. Woodson Center for Interracial Education. A former Berea College graduate, Dr. Carter Woodson is known as the “father of black history". In February 1926 he launched the celebration of "Negro History Week", the precursor of Black History Month.

  5. The average family income of a Berea College student is $30,000 for a family of 4.

  6. Each student is expected to work 10 hours a week on campus throughout their 4-year college education.     

Why am I organizing this campaign?

Hello fellow Elasticians, my name is Murat Aksu. As a first-generation immigrant in the United States of America, and as a proud and naturalized American, it is important to me to give back and to help the future generations of this great country achieve their full potential in life.

The United States of America is one of the greatest countries in the world. However, it’s important Americans understand that this country became what it is today due to the labor exploitation of slaves and the disenfranchised. It is our responsibility now to make sure we create an equitable society for all. 

One of the most profound terms I have ever heard is found in the Declaration of Independence; pursuit of happiness. There is only one life for all of us to live and we need to help each other in our pursuits of happiness. I believe that providing higher education opportunities to less fortunate Americans will help them in their pursuit of happiness in this country. Please join me in this campaign.

Why is it important for us to support Berea College?  

I’ve noticed as a company, we are committed to providing equal job opportunities to underrepresented groups in the IT industry.  One of the best ways we can push the needle in this area is to help foster and support higher education opportunities for less fortunate students who cannot finish college without financial assistance.

I would like to ask my fellow Elasticians to join me in committing to support Berea College with their donations to achieve our goals.

Additional Background

Berea College is a private liberal arts work college in Berea, Kentucky. Founded in 1855 by radical abolitionists John G. and Matilda Fee, Berea College is distinctive among post-secondary institutions for providing tuition-free education to all students.

What sets Berea College apart is that since before the Civil War, it has been the first college in the Southern United States to be coeducational and racially integrated. Berea College has been charging no tuition since 1892 and every admitted student is provided the equivalent of a four-year scholarship valued at more than $200,000.

Berea College’s mission is to provide a world-class, tuition-free college education to students who need it most; with a continued commitment to interracial education, diversity, equity, inclusion, dismantling white supremacy, and systemic racism. Together, we can help continue to educate over 1600 students with your generosity.  

Sincerely and Thank You, 

Murat Aksu

Unless otherwise restricted, gifts toward this giving opportunity will support Tuition Promise Scholarships for Berea College students, who are never charged the tuition they cannot afford.

 

Ways to stay connected with the Carter G. Woodson Center:

 

Links to PACE videos:

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Causes in this Giving Opportunity

BEREA COLLEGE

Berea, Kentucky, 40404-0001, United States


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