#GivingTuesdayGU: Deb Cunningham ’20, Digital Media

Published: April 13, 2021

Deb Cunningham 20 plans to use her digital media degree to invest her skills back in southern Illinois, the region shes always called home. Shell relocate to New York after graduation to gain experience, and return to Illinois with new skills and connections to establish her own freelance web design business.

This investment of young talent in the region is only possible because GU donorspeople just like youinvested in Deb first.

I never thought I could afford college, Deb says. Her mothers paycheck supported several other family members, making it impossible to help Deb pay for school. Because Deb lived at home, her mothers income lowered the amount of financial aid Deb could receive. I loved GU, but I thought [attending] was a dream, never to become a reality, she says.

GU scholarship donors proved her wrong.

GU track coach Brian Patton sat down with Deb to identify all the GU scholarships she qualified for. Many applications later, Deb pieced together enough scholarship support to supplement her financial aid and part-time income. Scholarships turned her dream into reality.

Donors who fund scholarships are part of a team rooting Deb on:

• When Deb's family relocated to Georgia, coaches and friends became her home away from home.
• When stress from her two part-time jobs and a full course load proved overwhelming, Coach Patton helped Deb use a time management system.
• When Deb felt discouraged, professors worked closely with her to ensure her success.
• When additional scholarship opportunities emerge even now, GUs financial aid staff keep her informed.

Ive received so much help from donors, Deb says. I am blessed to receive help, because trying to afford school on your own is hard and stressful.

When you fund a scholarship, you give hard-working students like Deb hope. Thank you for giving.