Friday JohnKu – AKA -TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

Today’s story is lifted directly from the Good News Network. I hope you enjoy it.

Anonymous Donor Pays Off Student Debt for Entire 2022 College Class in Texas

Wiley College

Students at a Texas College graduated last week not only with their diplomas but with their balances cleared suddenly by an anonymous donor.

More than 100 students assembled for the 133rd graduation ceremony at Wiley College and were shocked to hear President & CEO Dr. Herman J. Felton, Jr. announce that their balances had been paid off.

The recent pandemic had exacerbated some students’ ability to pay their debts, so some graduates and parents in the audience in Marshall, Texas, were especially thrilled to hear the news.

“Our commitment to our students goes beyond their time while they are enrolled,” said Felton. “We are grateful for this anonymous donor who will assist the students in paying off their balances.”

The estimated total owed by the class of 2022 in the historically Black college was $300,000.

“As Wiley College closes the academic semester and prepares for its Sesquicentennial Celebrations beginning in July, this is a great way to start the celebration of 150 years of the College’s contributions to the world.”

Wiley College, with its focus on social good and leadership, has reduced its tuition in the past years to $17,500 to cover fees, room, and board.

Now the school’s motto is even more appropriate: “Go forth Inspired.”

The Good news here is someone thought enough of these students to give what he felt necessary to give them a great start. Today’s JohnKu talks about giving. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Generosity by John W. Howell

Whenever it comes,

Generosity is love . . .

We need more of it.

84 comments

  1. What a wonderful story, John. Love the poem. We sure do need more of love and generosity! Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful weekend 💕🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Have a wonderful weekend as well, Harmony. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I know right?

      Liked by 1 person

  2. That is terrific news, John. I’ve heard good things about Wiley Collage. The fact that they reduced their tuition in order to help students receive an education speaks volumes. And blessings to that anonymous donor! (Although I feel he/she was already blessed just by giving.)

    Liked by 2 people

    1. All are blessed for sure, Joan.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. What a beautiful story. Tuition in the States is so ridiculous. That these students were surprised by such a donation is such a fantastic graduation gift.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I can’t imagine how that would feel. To do it anonymously is icing on the cake. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. No kidding!
        Have a great Friday!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Have a great Friday too, Dale.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Thank you, kind sir!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. That’s really cool.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree. 😊

      Like

  5. That’s tremendous! I recall someone doing that last year. This is a good case of copycats …. well, assuming it’s not the same person. Have a good weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Have a good weekend as well, Frank. 😊

      Like

  6. More good news for a change. Loving these posts.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I do too. Thanks, Craig. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  7. What a wonderful surprise, and such an incredibly generous way to send these graduates off into the world. 🥰

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Teaches a great lesson too. Thanks, Lori. 😊

      Like

  8. That generous act is going to pay dividends for years to come!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think you are right, Liz. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Wow! To graduate from college debt-free in this day and age is really something.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes it is. Thanks, Tim.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Gwen M. Plano · ·

    How extraordinary! A gift that truly will keep giving! Thank you for sharing, John, and thank you too for the beautiful haiku. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for the lovely comment, Gwen.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. I do hope we never do run out of hope. Thanks John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hope is in short supply for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Yes, we definitely need more of this. Thanks for sharing, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Jill. I so agree.

      Like

  13. And no Michael Scott punchline! This is beautiful. (The Office reference in case you never watched the show. 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for the prompt. I have never watched it. 🙄

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I’d read this – such generosity is unparalleled.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree Noelle. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  15. What an amazing gift for those students!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. So true, Becky.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Dear John,
    that’s really generous and very kind.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wishing the Fab Four a great weekend as well Klausbernd 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Tuition is so high at public universities because most no longer get much $$ from state legislatures. When I was the Dean of the College of Media at the University of Illinois, I got only about 10% of my annual budget from the state of Illinois. Two decades before I got there, the university received almost 50% of its budget from the legislature. That meant deans had to raise money through donations from alumni and higher tuition rates, which of course translated into more student loans. A sad state of affairs. Private colleges and universities often have larger endowments to draw upon, but their tuition rates are almost always much higher than those of public universities such as Illinois, etc. Just wanted to leave that explanation with you from someone who lived through annual budge battles for 13 years.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I appreciate you view, Ron. Thanks for sharing.

      Like

  18. D.L. Finn, Author · ·

    What an amazing gift for these students 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I know right?

      Like

    1. Thank you, Billy Ray.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. What a great story! And how wonderful it must feel knowing you did something so generous for these students while they’re able to enjoy and appreciate it. Thanks for a day-brightener, John!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It does produce a warm heart.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. I hope this generosity inspires others to be generous.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wouldn’t that be great? Thanks, Pamela.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. That is amazing. I hadn’t heard that. Glad you posted about it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Jacqui.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. petespringerauthor · ·

    Great story! I hope some of the students take this lesson and run with it by paying it forward.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I do too, Pete.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Amazing story John and thanks so much for sharing..what a gift to start your working lives without that burden.. hugsx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So true, Sally.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Great poem, wonderful story. Thanks for sharing, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Dan.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. You are right, John. Generosity is love! And what a heart-warming story! I can only imagine those students’ delight!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It would be wonderful to see. Thanks, Jan

      Liked by 1 person

  26. A beautiful share John 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Debby.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. This is a good news story!
    Why does education cost so much? It seems unproductive for the future generation.

    I worked Thurs. – Sun. at a night club, to pay my way. I went to work, then came home and did homework. I did not sleep on Thursdays for 2 years. I still owed when I graduated. Took about 8 years to pay it off….slowly….. while interest was added.

    Fab JohnKu!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I know right. The main reason is colleges are getting fewer tax dollars. I worked all through college. Retail, Post Office, bar tender, paper route, busboy and summers mowing lawns. I didn’t have any debt but when I went to school tuition was maybe $600.00 for the year. All I had to do was cover that, books, rent, and food. I managed quite well. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ahh, the good old days! My tuition was around the same. But Toronto was an expensive place to live. It’s worse now.
        Oh well, my education did me well!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yes you are brilliant, talented, well spoken and a credit to your university. 😁

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Shucks…. you too!!!!

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I sure enjoyed spending a little time with you today. I hope your evening and Sunday are full of piece. 😊

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Likewise, John! Great to have you back! 😵‍💫

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Good to be back, Resa. 🤗

        Liked by 1 person

  28. That’s AMAZING! How wonderful would it be to be able to do something so generous as that? And anonymously too. What a good person.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I know right? Thanks Betsy

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Love this story, John. The graduates at Wiley look so happy. What a great send-off 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was a great send off for sure.. Thanks, Barbara.

      Like

  30. Wow, that’s an amazing gift and yes, we need more of this!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  31. This is as good as it gets when it comes to giving. Wonderful, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Jeannie

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome, John.

        Liked by 1 person

  32. WilliamPriceKing · ·

    This is truly what love and generosity are all about. Bravo, and thanks for sharing such a great story, John. All the best.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, William. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

      Like

    1. Thank you for sharing, Michael.

      Like

  33. This is really a wonderful story. More of them are very appreciated, John! Thanks, and have a nice day! xx Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You as well, Michael.

      Like