PAIGE FALK: Scholarships Create Experiences. Experiences Create Family

BY BRANDEN FERGUSON

When Paige Falk started looking at schools, she began her search with a focus on lacrosse teams around her hometown of Brighton, Michigan. On that list was University of Findlay, and the interest was mutual with the lacrosse coach inviting her to campus for a trip. “After visiting I went home and I immediately had a gut feeling – UF was where I was supposed to go,” she said.

With the decision to attend University of Findlay made, the focus turned to finances. Paige’s vision of becoming an Oiler and playing lacrosse was made a reality when she was awarded a scholarship through the William and Lucye Hoopes Scholarship Endowment Fund. “They have definitely made my experience here possible. Without their help, I wouldn’t have been able to come to the University of Findlay,” Paige said. “It’s comforting knowing that I and other students have the support of donors.”

With the support of donors and the stress of tuition out of the way, Paige started to create a home away from home. Paige’s group of friends began to grow with lacrosse teammates, classmates, and through various campus events. “One of those memories that will always stick with me occurred my freshman year. I walked out of my dorm room and saw a camel in the middle of campus. That’s one I’ll never forget,” she said of the campus event that brought animals onto campus.

Despite a successful and productive campus experience, COVID put a damper on things, and Paige started to question college. “I had serious thoughts of leaving,” she recalled. “The main reason I decided to stay was the people here. The feeling you get when on campus, the support from my teammates and professors…I had so much of a family here that I couldn’t walk away.”

After deciding to stay, Paige decided to make the most of her college experience. “I remember being in one of my classes and someone coming in to talk about studying abroad. I immediately said, ‘I want to do that!’” Paige made the trip to Austria in fall 2022, an experience made possible thanks to additional scholarships. “I wanted to immerse myself in a different culture and learn through the experience. The University of Findlay made that possible.”

Getting ready to head into her senior year in fall 2023, Paige has started to look back at her time at UF. “The biggest difference between Findlay and other schools is that you get a close-knit community. I have so many connections and friends around campus because of its smaller size,” she said. “With everyone’s support and the freedom to get involved, you can tailor your experience and make it what you want.”

“I would like to thank all University of Findlay donors, especially the Burson family for their generosity. Whether or not I was a recipient of a donor’s gift, that money was used to make the college experience possible for my classmates and teammates here on campus. I wouldn’t have the same experience if it wasn’t for UF’s donors.”