Westminster College Students Raise Over $10,000 to Help Stop Violence Against Women 

February 22, 2007
Small Group of Westminster Students Work Together to Achieve Big Results 

A group of four Westminster students concerned about the proliferation of violence against women, organized a week-long campaign to raise money and build awareness about the issue. Their motivation and hard work resulted in a $10,000 donation to the Rape Recovery Center of Salt Lake City to develop violence prevention and support programs.

The students originally set, what they believed was a highly ambitious goal of raising $9,000 and were pleasantly surprised when the final total came in at over $10,000. "We worked hard to educate the Westminster community about the extent of violence against women in the Salt Lake community and beyond. We think this unprecedented fundraising success is a reflection of the concern that the community has for women," remarked student organizer Kayla Smith.

The students raised the money through ticket sales at three sell-out performances of "The Vagina Monologues," as well as two silent auctions, a used book sale, and donations solicited throughout the Westminster campus over the course of the week.

Noting that 1 in 5 women in Utah are victims of rape, student organizer Jessica Shurtleff summed up their intentions, "The money we raise allows the Rape Recovery Center to help treat and heal the victims of violence. While we hope for the violence to stop, in the meantime, we want the healing to start."

Westminster College, founded in 1875, is a private, comprehensive, liberal arts college dedicated to students and their learning. Impassioned teaching and active learning are the hallmarks of the Westminster experience. The college prepares its students for success through a strong foundation of liberal education combined with cutting-edge professional programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Located where the magnificent Rocky Mountains meet the vibrant city of Salt Lake, Westminster blends classroom learning with experiences presented by its unique location to help students develop skills and attributes critical for success in a rapidly changing world. "U.S.News & World Report" consistently ranks Westminster in the top tier of regional colleges and universities in the West, and as an excellent educational value. Additionally, the college was named to the "Princeton Review's The Best 361 Colleges" for 2007. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu.