When former Vice President Ronna Vanderslice left Cameron University in December 2023 for a post at Oklahoma State University, she maintained her fondness for Cameron and its dedication to student success. With a $62,500 contribution to the Cameron University Foundation, Vanderslice returned to CU recently to celebrate the establishment of the Dr. Ronna Vanderslice Endowed Scholarship in Education to signify her continuing desire to impact the lives of Cameron students.
“Not only will the benefits of this endowment be ongoing, it establishes Ronna’s legacy at Cameron University,” said President Jari Askins. “Her generosity can be likened to a proverbial pebble – well, really more of a rock – where the ripples keep spreading farther than anyone can imagine. Throughout her 16- year tenure, she was actively involved in the success of CU students, and her involvement continues with this wonderful endowment. What a great opportunity for our students!”
The Dr. Ronna Vanderslice Endowed Scholarship in Education will be awarded to elementary education or early childhood education majors who have selected the special education option and who are enrolled in at least one special education course beyond SPED 3103, which is required for all education students. Eligible students must have completed 30 hours to receive the scholarship, which can be retained for a maximum of eight semesters.
“I love this place,” said Vanderslice, who understands the need for qualified special education teachers in Oklahoma. “If you look at who’s teaching special education today, there are very few people who have gone through a specialized preparation program. If we can draw in people who want that preparation, it will be a great thing for any community they end up serving. Each one of Oklahoma’s school children deserves the best teachers, and Cameron has always been at the forefront of teacher education. The special education option provides in-depth training for those who have a calling to teach our state’s more vulnerable students whose varied learning styles require more in-depth and specialized instruction.”
Vanderslice said that funding for the endowment was provided by the Camp of Champs, a camp for special needs children that she directed for more than 10 years. She explained that the camp not only provided fun experiences for the campers, it allowed CU students to serve as camp counselors.
“The Camp of Champs brought together people from all academic disciplines, because no matter what you end up doing professionally and personally, you are inevitably going to be interacting with people with individual needs,” Vanderslice said. “This camp was a great example of people from all walks of life coming together.”
Jennifer Meason, president of the Cameron University Foundation, expressed the gratitude of the Foundation board of directors by saying, “We are so grateful to Dr. Vanderslice’s continued involvement with Cameron and her dedication to our students. This endowed scholarship will impact Cameron students as well as school children across the state for generations.”
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PR# 25-020
