(upbeat music)
-: On behalf of the College of Arts and Sciences at UNL,
I want to thank you for your generous support
of our CAS Cares fund.
This fund was conceived as a way
to help us respond to the unique needs of students
who are most at risk of not completing their degrees,
including first-generation, low-income
and underrepresented minority students.
When we found ourselves in the midst
of a global health pandemic,
the CAS Cares emergency fund suddenly took on added urgency
and importance as many of our students confronted
unanticipated financial needs often due to a combination
of medical expenses and diminished work opportunities
for themselves and their families.
With your help, we quickly raised a hundred thousand dollars
and these funds have gone directly
toward providing critical emergency financial assistance
to students, otherwise making good academic progress.
So far, you have helped over 30 students
in our college, both undergraduate and graduate, stay
on track toward their degree completion.
Given how important educational attainment is
for these students, their families,
and our state and country,
we can't thank you enough for the willingness
to step up and help us realize our college's vision
as a leader in ensuring access
to the highest quality education
for all people in Nebraska and beyond.
The CAS Cares fund will remain a critical tool in our aim
to be unparalleled among public research universities
in access, opportunity, innovation and lifelong learning.
We thank you for your partnership and hope
that you will continue to provide your support
to this critical initiative at our university.
(upbeat music)