The philosophy that “It takes a village to raise a child” is witnessed every day in the scholarship support which generous alumni and friends provide to students at The University of Toledo.
That support may reach new heights, through the Ohio College Access Network (OCAN). Founded by the KnowledgeWorks Foundation, in collaboration with the Ohio Board of Regents and Department of Education, the philanthropic program is intended to help more Ohioans attain a college education. 
“This is the first statewide coordinating body for college access programs in the nation,” said Vern Snyder, UT vice president for Institutional Advancement, “and UT is one of 14 Ohio public universities pledging its full support.”
According to a 2006 survey, Ohio exceeds the national average of adults completing high school (86%), but falls short of the national average of adults with completed college bachelor degrees, at only 23%. In addition, Mr. Snyder notes, Ohio is among the ten most expensive states for obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
Through OCAN, UT hopes to help Ohio students overcome these challenges. Four student populations are targeted:
Jeff Barton, UT’s new director of development for OCAN, said UT’s first-year goal is to raise $350,000 in OCAN funding. In addition to seeking donor support, UT is “putting its money where its mouth is,” he said. “Through UT’s new Blue and Gold Scholar Award, the University is doing its own part to help first-generation and underserved low-income students get a college education.”
Mr. Barton, whose position is half-funded by the state, said that gifts of all sizes are welcome, but that raising endowment is a major focus. “As long as contributions meet OCAN’s basic guidelines, donors can name individual endowment funds and tailor additional criteria to their own interests.”
He noted that the program’s impact will be greater than just education. “Raising the skills of more Ohioans is expected to lead to greater job growth in the state. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that 80% of new job growth in the next 20 years will require some type of college degree,” he said. “These scholarships, therefore, are directly tied to Ohio’s future economy.”
Michael Carroll (MBA ‘94) and his wife, Alena, are the first UT donors to establish a new endowment designated for OCAN. Their $25,000 gift will create a scholarship for first-generation college students at UT.
“This is an opportunity for us to create a permanent source of funding for UT students,” said Mr. Carroll. “By supporting this scholarship program, we can assist those young people who would not otherwise have the means to obtain a college degree.”
To make an OCAN contribution, contact Jeff Barton at jeffrey.barton@utoledo.edu or 419-530-5413.