Former athlete donates; shows generosity
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: Opinion
Just two years after he left the Razorback basketball team and the UA journalism department as a junior, Ronnie Brewer already has given back to his home state and university.
Brewer, who now plays for the Utah Jazz, donated $50,000 Wednesday to the UA African-American studies program, money that specifically will go toward students also interested in journalism.
"[The African-American studies program] is really up and coming, and it will attract more minorities to the UA," Brewer said at a Wednesday press conference. "Our state is diverse, and we need to reflect that on our campus."
While many might have expected a former star athlete like Brewer to choose first to donate to the athletic department, he instead decided to support the African-American studies program, which has tripled in enrollment since 2004, when Charles Robinson became director, according to a UA press release.
We admire and respect Brewer for so generously supporting his alma mater, especially in academics. Though any donation to the UA is substantial and very much appreciated, Brewer's gift shows how committed he is to not only his own education, but to the education of future students, as well.
Brewer, a broadcast journalism major during his time at the UA, said he wanted other students at the UA to have a great university experience similar to his own.
"You have to know where you're from to know where you're going, and I really believe strongly in that," he said at the press conference.
With his significant donation of $50,000, Brewer showed where the priorities of professional athletes should lie. At the press conference, Brewer said many athletes are expected to only give back to their former athletic departments.
But we now know there are some - like Brewer - who know the true meaning of being a model student-athlete.
Brewer, who now plays for the Utah Jazz, donated $50,000 Wednesday to the UA African-American studies program, money that specifically will go toward students also interested in journalism.
"[The African-American studies program] is really up and coming, and it will attract more minorities to the UA," Brewer said at a Wednesday press conference. "Our state is diverse, and we need to reflect that on our campus."
While many might have expected a former star athlete like Brewer to choose first to donate to the athletic department, he instead decided to support the African-American studies program, which has tripled in enrollment since 2004, when Charles Robinson became director, according to a UA press release.
We admire and respect Brewer for so generously supporting his alma mater, especially in academics. Though any donation to the UA is substantial and very much appreciated, Brewer's gift shows how committed he is to not only his own education, but to the education of future students, as well.
Brewer, a broadcast journalism major during his time at the UA, said he wanted other students at the UA to have a great university experience similar to his own.
"You have to know where you're from to know where you're going, and I really believe strongly in that," he said at the press conference.
With his significant donation of $50,000, Brewer showed where the priorities of professional athletes should lie. At the press conference, Brewer said many athletes are expected to only give back to their former athletic departments.
But we now know there are some - like Brewer - who know the true meaning of being a model student-athlete.
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