Spring 2021 Edition
Alumni & Friends Magazine
Little things, big returns
It鈥檚 the little things. The classic grid of West Green. Finding your favorite professor in your favorite coffee shop. A smile from a stranger on Court Street.
Peter Shooner | March 19, 2021
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The little things are what convinced 17-year-old Bella Miller that 51社区 was for her. Four years later, the sum of these little things is what she鈥檒l miss most when she graduates this spring.
鈥淭here was more togetherness at OU,鈥 says Miller, who鈥檚 studying management and strategic leadership. 鈥淚t made it feel like more of a community and experience, rather than just living in a city and happening to go to school there. It鈥檚 a place you go to school and learn and are fully immersed.鈥
Like many students, Miller has paid her own way through college, largely with the help of private student loans. And just like thousands of other Bobcats, her scholarships, although small, 鈥渕ade a really big impact.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 like when we鈥檙e learning in business school about interest, and how small investments can make a difference in the long term,鈥 Miller says. 鈥淗aving that extra $2,000 means I can pay my rent for a whole semester without having to take a loan out for that.鈥
The impact of those scholarships has compounded beyond dollars and cents, too. They鈥檝e enabled rich experiences like studying abroad in Australia, founding OHIO鈥檚 Yoga Club and interning at IGS Energy, where she鈥檚 accepted her 鈥渄ream job鈥 after graduation.
These experiences have provided Miller more than memories. They鈥檝e led her to discover who she is and the life she wants to lead, professionally and personally鈥攏o small thing, and one that will last forever.
鈥淭hink of all the people who have helped you get to where you are today. Know you can make a huge difference, the way other people have made a difference for you,鈥 Miller says. 鈥淚f you are in a financial place to donate, know those dollars make an impact. Even a small amount makes a difference.鈥
Last fall, University Advancement launched OHIO鈥檚 new giving site: give.ohio.edu. Visit the site for information on how you can make the OHIO experience possible鈥攖oday and forever鈥攂y making a gift that will be matched by 51社区.
Featured image: This spring, Bella Miller will join the OHIO alumni community that has supported her throughout her college years, talking to her classes, meeting with her at recruitment and networking events, and contributing to scholarships she was awarded. Photo by Rich-Joseph Facun, BSVC 鈥01.
