Dr. Sri Seshadri
UNK professor in the Department of Marketing and Management Information Systems, 308.865.8190 or seshadris@unk.edu
Marketing students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney will award $10,000 to local nonprofit organizations in ceremonies set for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA).
Earlier this fall, the Learning by Giving Foundation gave UNK students a $10,000 grant to use to benefit local nonprofit organizations. Students participating in the UNK Field Experience in Marketing (MKT 395) course, mentored by Dr. Sri Seshadri, a UNK Department of Marketing and Management Information Systems professor, have reviewed applications from Buffalo County nonprofit programs for children and have determined where to distribute the grant funds. The Learning by Giving Foundation was established by Doris Buffett, sister of Warren Buffett.
“Our focus is to grant funds to nonprofit groups that benefit children below high-school level within Buffalo County,” Dr. Seshadri said. In all, the students received 14 grant requests from nonprofit organizations in the Kearney area.
“The students analyzed these requests and have made their decisions as to which organizations will be awarded a grant,” Dr. Seshadri said. “It has been a very rewarding experience for my students and will enable non-profit organizations in our region to better achieve their goals.”
This fall, the Learning by Giving Foundation awarded UNK grants for 2012, 2013 and 2014. UNK is one of only eight campuses in the nation that received grants from the foundation. The other campuses include: Cornell University, Boston College, Brandeis University, Northeastern University, McMaster University, University of Mary Washington and University of Southern California.
“We are indeed fortunate to have the financial backing of the Learning by Giving Foundation,” Dr. Seshadri said. “It would have been very hard for students to learn to be engaged in philanthropy in the abstract. This opportunity affords students the hands-on engagement in philanthropy that will result in deeper learning of the needs of a community, and the issues and challenges in strategic giving.”
“My hope is that students in the class will become engaged in philanthropy on a consistent basis throughout their lives, whether it be with their money, time or talents, and become ambassadors to get other students to commit to philanthropy,” he said.
Students participating in the class are listed below alphabetically by hometown.
Nebraska
Central City – Andrew Gilg
Chambers – Katelyn Gottsch
Elkhorn – Samantha Seina
Kearney – Jacobi Goodell
Kearney – Lacey Williams
Schuyler – Joshua Pycha
International
South Korea
Jeonju City – Enbyul Kim
Seoul – Hyeyeon Kim
