"This piece appeared as the editor’s letter in the September 2021 Oregon Stater alumni magazine, shortly after we launched a cause-based fundraising initiative through our annual giving program to support OSU’s veteran and military-connected students. Editor Kevin Miller, himself the son of a veteran, reached out to one of the first donors to the fund, Frank Haak.
The story told itself, as they say. The former Marine recounted not one, but two improbable “small-world” stories that led back to Oregon State University. Over 100 donors joined Haak to contribute almost $115,000 to support veteran and military-connected students. As importantly, the article and initiative-built awareness of OSU as an institution committed to supporting veterans’ academic and lifelong success."
From the Judges
This engaging piece demonstrates the impact of the Vietnam War on students and the school’s support initiatives for veterans. Its storytelling approach to a fundraising ask is effective and a formula that other schools could adopt. Beautifully written, the pay-it-forward aspect of the story resonates well with its alumni audience.
