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Student-initiated endowment provides emergency aid

Aug. 15, 2008

KALAMAZOO--The College of Health and Human Services at Western Michigan University has created an endowment to provide emergency money for qualified students in the WMU School of Social Work.

Called the Helen Beck Student Emergency Fund, the new endowment honors Beck, an office assistant with the school for the past 10 years, for her contributions to the school and invaluable kindness, care and assistance she provides for students. Dr. Earlie Washington, college dean, created the fund as part of an ongoing effort to extend the college's commitment to help students to succeed.

The bachelor of social work class of 2008 initiated the fund on behalf of all social work students, alumni and faculty. According to these students, "Ms. Beck embodies the spirit of social work and expresses the heart of the program, giving students the attention and encouragement they need to persist and flourish in the School of Social Work."

Contributions can be made by sending a check with the name of the fund in the memo line to:

WMU Foundation
Attn. Helen Beck Student Emergency Fund
1903 W. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5403

Contributions can also be made online.

Media contact: Mark Schwerin, (269) 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/wmu/news