About 90 Northern Arizona University students receiving scholarships from the Raymond Educational Foundation of Flagstaff were recognized Wednesday during a luncheon honoring the foundation for its continued support of incoming NAU freshmen.
“It fills my heart to see the happiness on the young people’s faces when they receive their awards,” said Eldon Bills, president of the foundation board. “Many would not be able to attend college unless they received a scholarship.”
The Raymond Educational Foundation is the largest single donor of annual scholarships at NAU. Since 1964, the foundation has been providing awards to Coconino County high school graduates regardless of the NAU program they plan to enter. Since its inception, the foundation has granted more than $4 million to various students and organizations.
The Office of Financial Aid screens enrollment applications for students who have been accepted to NAU and selects the award recipients each spring based on the criteria established by the foundation.
Dr. R.O. Raymond, physician, stockman, humanitarian, and philanthropist, came to Flagstaff in 1909. He conceived and established the Flagstaff Educational Foundation in 1952 to provide financial aid for those Flagstaff and Coconino County residents in need of further education.
Raymond’s vision has benefited numerous citizens of Coconino County. Historian Platt Cline said, “The doctor was a very quiet, unassuming man who wanted no publicity, notoriety, or thanks for all those he served or helped in his 50 years in Flagstaff.”
For information about the scholarship award process, contact NAU’s Office of Student Financial Aid at (928) 523-4951. Information about the Raymond Educational Foundation may be found here.