Harris-Stowe Student Receives Car from Generous Donor
News Harris-Stowe State University
For Immediate Release
Contact: Courtney McCall
(314) 340-3391
Harris-Stowe Student Receives Car from Generous Donor
ST. LOUIS, MO (December 2, 2013) - Marnee' Crusby, a Harris-Stowe State
University freshman, will be the recipient of a 2003 Toyota Corolla that
was donated by Gwendolyn Downs. This is the second time that Downs has
donated a car to a female student at HSSU, with hopes of providing
transportation to single mothers who transport their young child(ren) to
day care or school each day. The car will be donated in the name of Mrs.
Downs' husband, Roger Downs, who attended Harris-Stowe in the early
sixties.
"This was something I'd wanted to do for quite some time," said Downs,
who is a senior citizen that works a temp job from time to time. "I
realized that the criteria I set for this donation was based on me. I
was an African-American female single mother, taking public
transportation to get my child to the sitter."
After a rigorous application process which included an application,
proof of financial stability, background checks and driving records,
Crusby was chosen. The early childhood education major was chosen by a
university committee that made recommendations to Mrs. Downs based on
her own submitted criteria.
"My husband always wanted to be an educator and was unable to do so,"
said Downs. "We can't save everyone, but this is our way of at least
helping one student. I admire the young women who make that decision to
have their children and face the challenges that come with raising a
child as a single mother, because it's not easy," said Downs. "In the
past, you couldn't even attend school if they found out you were
pregnant."
Downs was especially moved by Crusby's words upon receiving the gift, in
which she promised that once able, she would definitely pay it forward.
Crusby's son Jaylen is a year old.
The car will officially become Crusby's on Tuesday, December 10, 2013,
during the president's late-night breakfast event at 8 p.m. in the
Bosley Dining Hall. Both the Downs and Crusby families will be in
attendance.
"I felt extremely blessed that I had been selected," said Crusby. "This
car is going to make things more accessible and convenient for my son.
Mrs. Downs is a phenomenal and giving woman."
In addition to the donation of the vehicle, Crusby will receive a
special car gift package that includes car insurance for up to six
months, gas cards, a one-year AAA membership, oil change voucher and a
gas card.
Harris-Stowe State University, located in midtown St. Louis, is a
four-year institution that offers 14 degree programs in the areas of
Accounting, Business Administration, Biology, Criminal Justice, Early
Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Health Care Management,
Hospitality and Tourism Management, Information Sciences and Computer
Technology, Mathematics, Middle School Education, Professional
Interdisciplinary Studies, Secondary Education and Urban Affairs. Ranked
by U.S. News as one of America's Best Colleges in the Midwest, the
university, which has been in existence for more than 150 years, offers
the most affordable bachelor's degree in the metropolitan area.
Courtney Z. McCall
Harris-Stowe State University
Associate Vice President for University Relations
HGA 110
3026 Laclede Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63103
Ofc: (314) 340-3391
Harris-Stowe State University
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