Osgood Makes $50,000 Gift to Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation to Support Student Scholarships

For students in rural communities, the cost of a college education can be a significant barrier to earning a degree. Commonwealth University President Jeff Osgood and partner Patrick Richard are helping address that challenge with a $50,000 gift to the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation (MUMF) to support student scholarships at CU-Mansfield.

Scholarships are a top priority for Mansfield, where many students come from communities facing economic challenges and need financial assistance to pursue their education.

“My goal was to work with the Mansfield team and the Mountaineer Foundation to understand where my financial support could have the greatest impact,” Osgood said. “I hope this gift helps ease some of the financial pressure students and their families face and allows more students to achieve their goals of pursuing a degree.”

The need is particularly important given Mansfield’s strong ties to the surrounding region. According to Gretchen Sechrist, Mansfield campus administrator, 47% of Mansfield students come from neighboring counties.

“For many of our students, a scholarship can make the difference in whether they can afford to attend college and complete their degree,” Sechrist said. “With nearly half of our students coming from Tioga and Bradford counties, we see firsthand the financial challenges facing families in our region. We are grateful to President Osgood for recognizing that need and investing in our students.”

The Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation works to secure philanthropic support exclusively for Commonwealth University-Mansfield students, faculty and programs. Gifts to the Foundation help provide scholarships and expand educational opportunities for current and future Mountaineers.

“President Osgood took the time to understand Mansfield’s priorities and where his generosity could make the biggest difference,” said Jim Crowley, associate relationship manager for the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation. “Scholarship support like this helps open doors to a Mansfield education. We are grateful for his commitment and hope his gift inspires others to consider how they, too, can help make college more affordable for the next generation of Mounties.”

To learn more about supporting Mansfield students through the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation, visit mountaineerfdn.org.