The Shorthorn - Tuition Raffle winner announced, Student Alumni Association member wins

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Tuition Raffle winner announced, Student Alumni Association member wins

Written by Chase Webster, The Shorthorn senior staff

Thursday, 11 March 2010 10:46 PM

Anne Marie Boeding, music education sophomore and board of directors member, won a drawing for a grand prize of $5,000 in paid tuition for one semester.

Members of the Student Alumni Association were able to participate in their self-ran tuition raffle for the first time this year, and one of them won.

Anne Marie Boeding, music education sophomore and board of directors member, won a drawing for a grand prize of $5,000 in paid tuition for one semester. The drawing took place on Feb. 26 at The Bash. A total of $6,500 was given to the first, second and third names drawn.

Boeding said she saw the raffle as a way of giving to the university.

“All of the extra money goes to student scholarships,” she said. “I figure the university has given me so much, why not give a little back?”

According to group adviser Jasmine Stewart, approximately 2,800 tickets were sold for the raffle at $5 apiece.

The number of tickets purchased by group members is not known, she said.

Yinka Ajibade, mechanical engineering senior and group treasurer, said all board of director members who were eligible for the raffle participated. To be eligible for the raffle one must have been enrolling in classes for the fall 2010 semester.

Students were limited in how many tickets they could purchase for the drawing only by how many they could afford. Boeding was able to purchase 40 tickets with the help of her family, she said.

“I called a bunch of family members, and they gave me money for tickets,” she said. “I spent about $100.”

Boeding said she bought most of her tickets two for the price of one during a limited-time discount advertised by the group.

The extra money made from the drawing goes to different scholarships also funded by the group, Ajibade said. Throughout the year, the group sponsors several activities to raise money for scholarships, such as the tuition raffle and Oozeball, the annual mud volleyball tournament.

Scholarships are available to anyone and can be applied for at the Student Alumni Association Web site.

Boeding helps run many of the group’s activities, Ajibade said.

“She takes part in running Oozeball,” he said. “She helped with Homecoming. She participated in selling raffle tickets and ran the booth in The Bash.”

Boeding, the second oldest of five siblings, joined the group to carry on a long history of community service ingrained in her by her service-oriented family, she said.

Community service has been a huge part of Boeding’s life, she said. Outside of working with the Student Alumni Association, she has worked with Mission Arlington and at nursing homes.

She wants to use the tuition money to further her goal in becoming a teacher.

“I went to private school and Catholic school,” she said. “We were required to do 40 hours of service a year. I’ve been told that it’s what employers look for.”

Boeding’s spirit of service is evident in her maturity and her ability to lead by example, Ajibade said. As an active member of the Student Alumni Association board of directors, she is part of the governing body of the 2,300 member association.

Stewart said there are no plans in changing the participation requirements for the tuition raffle.

“SAA members account for nearly 12 percent of the student body,” she said. “They will continue to have the option to participate just as every UTA student is able to participate.”

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Comments (2)

1 Written by Shannon, on 03-11-2010 23:47
Dear Shorthorn, it sounds as if you sense there may be something amiss. She bought tickets, the tickets went into a raffle along with everybody's tickets, and she happened to win. I think the fact that she bought 40 tickets has way more to do with her win than the fact that she is a member of the board of directors. I myself am not active in the organization but I know it as a very reputable group. Don't hint that there may be controversy unless you can show proof. Please be the Shorthorn, not the National Enquirer.

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2 Where there's smoke.....
Written by Rufus, on 03-12-2010 00:09
Actually, it sounds like they are pointing out a conflict of interest here, and there most definitely is one. Although this girl's tickets went into the "same pot" with everyone's tickets, the sheer fact that she was part of the organization holding the raffle and was allowed to participate is shady. She shouldn't be held to blame, but perhaps the organization should have seen the possible conflict before allowing people who are connected to it to openly buy tickets. While I don't doubt the groups reputation, I think it was unethical to allow members to buy tickets. Doesn't sound like the Enquirer to me... Sounds like hard news.

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Last Updated ( Friday, 12 March 2010 12:11 AM )

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