"Thank you.”

These two brief words, uttered sincerely, carry a world of meaning.

Imagine their impact when spoken by more than 100 Colorado College students to the donors who provided the scholarships that helped pay for their education.

On April 14, 114 students said thanks to their donors at the fourth annual Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon in Palmer Hall. Eighty-nine donors attended, representing 45 individual named scholarships.

“The students want to say thanks. The college wants to say thanks,” says Debby Fowler, CC director of stewardship, who organizes the luncheon. “We want the donors to understand and feel the impact and value of their gifts. They are making a difference in the lives of students.”

Left to right: Bill Ward ’64, Casey Hilton ’07, Sharon Ward, William McConnell ’06. Hilton and McConnell are the inaugural recipients of the William R. 1964 and Sharon A. Ward Scholarship.

Photo by Tom Kimmell

The luncheon gives donors the opportunity to get to know their students and learn how the scholarship affects their lives. Bill Ward ’64 and his wife Sharon Ward created the William R. 1964 and Sharon A. Ward Scholarship. They attended the luncheon for the first time this year; Ward also was the donor speaker for the program.

“We thought it was a wonderful event, and we had a terrific time,” said Ward. “It’s very exciting to talk to so many talented, bright, creative students and hear what they’re doing. It makes the contribution not just dollars and cents, but more of a personal connection.”

William Jackson, who attended his fourth luncheon on behalf of his family’s scholarships — the Roland Jackson War Memorial Scholarship and the Everett Jackson War Memorial Scholarship — said he has enjoyed getting to know the students that his family’s scholarship assists. “I’ve really enjoyed watching that young man grow up,” Jackson says of Brandon Roberts ’05, one of his scholarship recipients.

Christina Davis ’05 was the student speaker for the event. Davis is a CC Alumni Association Student Leader Scholar and an Elsie L. Joerling Scholar.