December 21, 2016—In the first gift of its kind to Humboldt State, alumna and former HSU staff member Robin Bailie (Liberal Studies, minor in Communication ‘11)-- along with her husband, Sean-- established a scholarship with a $1,000 minimum to honor and support student-veterans at Humboldt State.
The Sean T. and Robin A. Bailie Veterans Scholarship will be available for veterans of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. This is the first ever scholarship at HSU that aims to support veterans of the armed services.
Robin and Sean intend to build and permanently endow this scholarship over the next five years. Endowments typically require a minimum threshold of $25,000 and work by investing a donor’s contributions long-term, using only the income generated each year to award the scholarship in perpetuity. Once endowed, it will be available to future generations of student-veterans studying at HSU.
The Bailies have long been inspired by the sacrifices of American veterans. As a realtor and certified Military Relocation Professional, Robin has been active in helping current and former military service members navigate the process of buying homes in Humboldt County.
Robin also served as a volunteer on an Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2015. Honor flights are coordinated by a non-profit organization that helps veterans travel to the nation’s capital to visit and reflect at memorials honoring their service. “It was an incredibly moving experience to witness so many World War II veterans who for the first time were able to see the monuments constructed in their honor,” says Robin, whose father served in the US Army from 1955-1958.
This scholarship is yet another way Sean and Robin are extending their gratitude to American service members. “Sean and I came up with the idea of this scholarship to honor veterans and provide educational opportunities for the men and women who have served our country and sacrificed so much for us,” says Robin.
To have an immediate impact on the lives of student-veterans, the Bailies are making the $1,000 scholarship available for the 2017-2018 academic year. Students will be eligible to apply for the scholarship as soon as Spring 2017.
“We believe it’s important to help veterans better themselves and their families. Our hope for the future is to grow this endowment so the scholarship fund makes a significant difference in the lives of veterans for years to come,” says Sean.
If you’d like to join Sean and Robin in supporting student-veterans, you can make an online donation to the Sean T. and Robin A. Bailie Veterans Scholarship Endowment here. If you have questions about this scholarship, or want to learn about other ways to support HSU students and the community, email the Office of Philanthropy at giving@humboldt.edu or call 707-826-5200.