Nathanial “Nate” Osmond, of West Seneca, knew from an early age that he wanted to study history in college and also that he would need to finance his education himself.
During his senior year of high school, Osmond received the news that he could make his dreams come true—without incurring loads of debt. He was awarded the Harold and Lucille Peterson Endowed Scholarship, designated for history majors with a high school average of 88 or better. Osmond receives $600 per semester.
It’s the generosity of Buffalo State employees who contribute to the annual Faculty and Staff Appeal that makes the Peterson Scholarship—and others like it—available to students.
“This has been a great blessing,” said Osmond, a 19-year-old sophomore taking a full slate of classes while also working two part-time jobs. “All of my friends are always complaining they have no money or they are borrowing lots of money for school. A lot of them don’t realize the implications of that debt load 10 years down the road.”
Osmond said he’s grateful to faculty and staff for contributing to a fund that lessens the debt burden for students.
Already he is taking a few upper-level history courses and leaning toward a career teaching post–Civil War American history to high school students. Because he took several Advanced Placement courses when he was in high school, Osmond expects to graduate from Buffalo State early.
“I want to get into the job market as soon as possible,” he said.
To learn more about how you can contribute to the 2012 Faculty and Staff Appeal, contact Louis Noce at (716) 878-3467. To see a full list of funds, go to www.buffalostate.edu/pdf/fundslist.pdf.
