Jacksonville University announced an anonymous six-figure gift Nov. 1 that establishes the Tim and Stephanie Cost Giving Back/Giving Forward endowed scholarship and annual alumni award.
A news release from the university said at the request of the donors, the scholarship and alumni award are named after the university’s president and first lady, saying they embody servant leadership and purposeful philanthropy.
“We are honored by this deeply meaningful gift. President Cost and I are grateful for these generous friends of the university who not only invest in our students, but also partner with us to develop future leaders who are passionate about giving back,” Stephanie Cost said in the release.
“Serving our community is a core tenet of Jacksonville University’s campus culture. Thoughtful service connects us to a greater purpose and keeps us focused on the good of all. My thanks to these investors who model the kind of servant leadership we all hope to achieve,” Tim Cost said.
Recipients of the Tim and Stephanie Cost Giving Back/Giving Forward scholarship and alumni award will be selected each year by a panel of university leaders.
To be considered for the scholarship, the student must be a rising senior who maintains the required GPA and demonstrates service to the university and community.
The recipient of the alumni award will be announced and recognized each fall at JU’s Homecoming and Family Weekend. The alumni award recipients will serve on the selection panel for the student scholarship.
Since moving to Jacksonville in 2012 to become president and first lady of JU, the Costs created the Cost Scholars to support undergraduates and are supporters of the university’s Dolphin Dash initiative, an annual spring giving campaign.
They have invested in scholarships, facilities, programs, the arts and student support resources, attracting many other alumni and friends to do the same, the release said.
To mark the university’s founding on April 14, 1934, the Costs established the annual Charter Day of Service, when students, faculty and staff spend the day working with organizations in the community.
The Costs also have invested in the arts. In 2022, Cathedral Arts Project honored them with the Guardians of the Arts award for their efforts to advance the arts in the region.
The anonymous scholarship gift builds upon more than $100 million in donor support for JU’s current fundraising effort, the Future. Made. campaign.
Through five pillars of strategic funding priorities, the campaign is intended to enhance the student experience and advance new academic programs, facilities, technology, research, athletics, student resources and the arts.