UF philanthropy group funds five campus projects

FINDLAY – The University of Findlay's (UF) Women in Philanthropy provided nearly $26,000 in funding for five campus projects this spring. "We are excited that our gifts can collectively support innovative projects and research at the University," Women in Philanthropy member Nicole Burgy said in a release from the university. "We enjoy the opportunity to learn about the good work UF is doing, to meet high-achieving young women scholars, and to network with other philanthropic-minded women in the community." Other successful efforts through the women's giving circle include an endowed scholarship as well as an annual slate of projects they have selected to fund after reviewing proposals and presentations from faculty and staff. This five projects receiving funding are: •Maryam Yousif, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Chemistry - Create a two-semester training program for female, first generation college students studying chemistry •Valarie Escobedo, Associate Professor of Art - Update walls and flooring for the Dudley and Mary Marks Lea Gallery in the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion •Richard Dudley, Ph. D., Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Enhance therapy with GLP-1 agonists through potential biomarker identification and analysis •Christine Denecker, Ph.D., Katy August, Sarah Fedirka, Ph.D., and Nicole Schilling, Ph.D., of all the Center for Teaching Excellence - Develop 12 workshops-in-a-box programs to support teaching excellence •Hiro Kawamura, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Japanese and Director of Modern Languages - Enhance cultural activities and training for UF students and the community President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., encourages Women in Philanthropy to connect multiple generations of women who want to make a difference to invest in UF people and projects. "Women play a key role in philanthropy at UF, ranging from volunteering to financial giving, and serving as role models for the next generation of Oilers," President Fell said in the release. "We are grateful for members' past support, and we invite new members to join our efforts." Gifts from Women in Philanthropy are used for grant funding. Members are asked to make an annual leadership gift starting at $1,000.