University Farm Circle - Scholarships and Loans

Interest in and support of students on "The Farm" was immediately apparent from University Farm Circle's inception in 1914. Members shared their homes with students in times of illness and need, as well as during holiday seasons. Members donated money for a gymnasium and for a student's emergency surgery. The initial fundraising event was a Jitney Fair, which included casinos, boxing, and wheels of fortune. For several years this project raised hundreds of dollars. Money was also raised through Christmas card sales, card parties, plays, and benefit motion pictures. During both world wars, money normally spent on refreshments at meetings was donated to the Red Cross and to war relief.

Various fundraisers throughout the history of UFC have continued to support students through loans and scholarships. Other past recognition of academic achievement has included a debating trophy and a rotating scholarship trophy given to the women's residence hall having the highest grade-point average.

To meet student financial needs, the Kate Fizell Loan Fund was established in 1915. The UFC Memorial Emergency Student Loan Fund was established in 1975-76 for gifts to be given in memory of members and their families. These short-term, interest-free loan funds are administered by the UCD Financial Aid Office and are available to all students.

UFC began awarding scholarships in 1937. One of the early recipients was the first woman Phi Beta Kappa at Davis. In 1959, following the death of Marion Freeborn, wife of the first provost at UCD, these scholarships were named the Marion Freeborn Scholarships. Beginning in 1980-81 re-entry women, in addition to regular students, became eligible. The Blanche L. Price Scholarship Fund was established in 1997 with an estate gift of $15,000. The interest earned on this endowment fund provides an additional annual scholarship. These scholarships are presented annually at the Fall Tea to junior and senior women and re-entry women demonstrating high scholastic achievement, leadership, community service, goals and motivation. Each year the names of the scholarship recipients are engraved on plaques and permanently displayed in the Memorial Union.

The names of our 2007-2008 scholarship winners have been announced! You may view the 07-08 recipient's biographies on this page.

To strengthen the Marion Freeborn Scholarship Fund, the UFC Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in 1995. Initial seed money in the amount of $5,200 was provided by UFC's first silent auction. Subsequent fundraisers and donations have increased this fund rapidly. As of September First, 2007, the endowment has a fair market value of nearly $250,000. The interest earned on this endowment is given annually as Marion Freeborn Scholarships.

A donation given to the Endowment Fund continues to give year after year as the interest earned on that donation is given year after year as scholarships. Due to the success of our Endowment Fund, UFC has been relieved of the necessity to put on a major fundraiser every year. And therein lies the beauty of an Endowment Fund. We thank all our members for so generously donating to this Fund since its inception in 1995.