Honoring Niagara University’s more than 160-year tradition, the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president, has made affordability and accessibility a major focus of his presidency. Over the past year, $46 million in institutional aid was distributed to students, enabling thousands to realize their dreams of obtaining a bachelor’s degree and keeping Niagara high on the list of “best value” institutions, as determined by U.S. News & World Report and other ranking publications.
“Niagara University, as a Catholic and Vincentian nonprofit institution, is a steadfast proponent of accessibility and affordability in higher education,” said Father Maher. “At Niagara, 98% of our students receive some type of financial assistance, including scholarships, thanks largely to the support of private donors who believe in the power of a Niagara University education.”
One of the major sources of funding for scholarships is the annual President’s Dinner, which brings together members of the Niagara University and the Buffalo-Niagara communities to raise critical funds to support student scholarships. At the most recent dinner, $300,330 was raised, making it the fifth year in a row that the $200,000 fundraising mark was surpassed. Over the past five years, this dinner has raised more than $1.3 million.
Niagara offers more than 200 endowed scholarships to students, many named for alumni and former faculty members. Some of the most recently established include the Sandra Mann Ormsby ’67 Scholarship; John M., ’73 and Marilyn C. Lojek, M.S.’75 Current Use Scholarship; the Major Kenneth C. VanBuskirk, ’57, ROTC Scholarship; and the Dr. Paul Vermette Teacher Education Scholarship. This past year, the Alumni Legacy Scholarship Program was established to assist relatives of Niagara’s more than 36,000 alumni. In addition, there are numerous merit-based and special-interest scholarships available to incoming students.
Niagara University’s commitment to provide significant scholarship assistance enables us to offer all students an accessible, affordable education that gives them the confidence, clarity of direction, and heightened sense of purpose to succeed in their desired careers.