TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Winners of scholarships funded by The University of Alabama’s SGA S.P.I.R.I.T. campaign were announced today during a celebration event at Gorgas Library. Six UA students, all first-generation college students, were selected to receive the awards funded by their fellow students. The SGA S.P.I.R.I.T. campaign asked students to donate $5 each to UA for “first-in-family” scholarships.

“The S.P.I.R.I.T. campaign is an opportunity for students to help fellow students,” said Justice Smyth, president of the Student Government Association at UA. “When we learned that one in five students on campus are the first in their families to attend college, we felt it was important that the SGA play a significant role in this initiative to help fund scholarships.”

Conducted from Jan. 15-March 31 of this year, the SGA S.P.I.R.I.T. (Students Playing Important Roles in Tradition) raised $13,000 resulting in six $2,000 scholarships. Scholarship recipients are Amanda Dunn of Highland Home, Tessie Jones of Brookwood, Chad Smith of Tuscumbia, Jarrod Stanley of Boaz, Lakesha Taylor of Tuscaloosa and Johnny Tice of Tuscaloosa.

“Over the past two years, the S.P.I.R.I.T. campaign has experienced solid growth; but we never expected to have a year like this,” said Graham Smith, S.P.I.R.I.T. campaign director. “It is amazing to see the commitment and initiative from the students when the importance of student participation has hit home.”

For more information, contact Graham Smith at 205/348-5535.