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Sophomore Mickey Durkin, a double major in acting for film, television and theatre and theatre design and technology, was unsure if returning to campus after winter break would be possible. After their mother passed away from cancer, the financial and emotional strain left their future at ������ý���� uncertain.

Support from ������ý����’s Presidential Hope Fund helped change that.

“I applied to the Presidential Hope Fund after my mother passed away from cancer just before returning from winter break,” says Durkin. “During that time, I had to step away from work to care for her at the end of her life, which created a significant financial strain.”

“While I was deeply committed to returning to ������ý����, I was uncertain how I would manage the financial impact of lost income alongside the cost of traveling home to support my family and sustaining myself all at once,” says Durkin.

Established by President John R. Loyack, CPA, MBA, the Presidential Hope Fund provides timely, short-term financial support for students whose education may be at risk due to unexpected challenges. Since its launch, the initiative has generated nearly $2.4 million in commitments from 271 donors, including 100% participation from ������ý����’s Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team.

When Durkin learned they had been approved for assistance, the impact was immediate.

“I immediately burst into tears of relief,” says Durkin. “It was the best news I had gotten in a long time, lifting a weight off my shoulders and giving me back the privilege of being able to focus on my studies again.”

The support made it possible for Durkin to continue their education during an incredibly difficult period.

“The assistance I received made it possible for me to stay enrolled as a full-time student without the overwhelming weight of that uncertainty,” Durkin says. “It provided a sense of stability and allowed me to focus on my education, reestablish a sense of normalcy, and continue to be present for my family and myself in hard times.”

Durkin is one of more than 40 students who have received support through the Presidential Hope Fund, which reflects ������ý����’s commitment to helping students persist and succeed even in the face of unexpected hardship.

“Beyond the immediate financial impact, the assistance also served as a reminder of just how much ������ý���� wants me to succeed,” Durkin adds. “That encouragement has strengthened my motivation, allowing me to continue pursuing my education and creative ambitions with greater clarity and purpose instead of anxiety.”