Investing at the Finish Line: Removing Barriers to Graduation Through SBS Student Completion Scholarship
Steven Meckler
When Bill and Cathleen Small were discussing their next steps in investing in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, they discovered the SBS Student Completion Scholarship and knew right away it was the perfect fit. The Smalls, whose philanthropy flows through the Stonewall Foundation Fund, which is held at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, have supported the college before, including the Downtown Lecture Series. This time, they wanted to pivot and provide direct support to SBS students. When presented with the option to help students graduate without unpaid tuition standing in their way, they knew it was the ideal vehicle for their continued relationship with the College of SBS.
“Bingo,” Bill said, recalling their shared reaction. “That’s totally our mission … because it directly benefits students.”
Bill’s parents, William and Susan Small, founded the Stonewall Foundation in 1960. William, publisher of the Tucson Citizen, and Susan built a legacy of local giving that continues to benefit Tucson institutions. Together, they set the example for Bill when it came to philanthropy.
“You learn by example, and that was firmly set within our family,” Bill said. “If you can give, you should. It’s a responsibility.”
The SBS Student Completion Scholarship Fund helps students who owe more than $2,500 on their bursar account — an obstacle that prevents them from registering for classes and staying enrolled. By stepping in, the fund removes that barrier, allowing students to complete their semester and move closer to graduation.
“The SBS Completion Scholarship was created to support students in their last semester or year at the U of A. Our goal is to provide small funding to bring students’ outstanding cash balances below the threshold for them to be able to enroll in their last term and graduate with their degree,” said Amy Kimme Hea, senior associate dean of academic affairs and student success. “In SBS, we believe in the power of learning as transformational in students’ lives, and this fund is vital to ensure students do not have to leave in their last months of college.”
A SMALL BALANCE. A LIFE-CHANGING IMPACT
Rory VanGorder
Rory VanGorder is a senior and double major in political science and economics. She will graduate this May with honors and points to the scholarship as the help she needed to see the finish line.
“The SBS Student Completion Scholarship gave me the final push to financially make it through to the completion of my degrees in May,” Rory said. “It relieved some of my financial burdens and enabled me to reduce my hours at one of my two jobs, allowing me to dedicate more time to my studies and enjoy my final semester as a Wildcat.”
Barbara Flores is a first-generation Latina student and senior majoring in journalism with a minor in studio art. She also juggles two jobs and says the support has been a lifesaver and source of renewed focus.
“The scholarship provided financial relief from paying tuition out of pocket and allows me to focus more fully on my studies,” Barbara said. “It not only eased my financial stress but motivated me to continue pursuing my degree despite the challenges I face.”
The Smalls, through the Stonewall Foundation Fund, are part of a small group of donors who also contribute to the SBS Student Completion Scholarship Fund. This collective support multiplies the scholarship’s impact. As of spring 2026, the scholarship helped 89 students stay enrolled and complete their degrees.
The mission of the scholarship resonates with Bill. He graduated debt-free from the University of Arizona with a degree in architecture in 1986 — something many students can only imagine today.
“I think we all know that you’ve got a leg up if you leave college without debt,” Bill said. “I graduated college without owing anything, so I was able to go ahead and start my life.”
Barbara Flores
Bill also has a family member in midlife whose student loans are not yet paid off and whose balance is now higher than when they were first taken out because of interest and penalties.
“This all-too-common challenge makes absolutely no sense,” Bill said. “So, if we get an opportunity to help out with that — that makes sense to us.”
He added, “A student who’s close to completing their degree but has to drop out because the money isn’t available — they lose the advantage of being a college graduate right there.”
Bill believes the stakes are highest in the final months of a student’s college journey. When someone is close to completing a degree but cannot enroll because the money isn’t available, years of work can unravel at the finish line. A relatively small balance can stand between a student and a diploma. Giving to the scholarship, he said, is simply an “opportunity to help out” at the moment it matters most.
For students like Barbara, that support means everything.
“I want donors to know that their generosity makes a real difference in students’ lives,” Barbara said. “It gives us the opportunity to stay on track, work toward our goals, and achieve our dreams.”
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This story was included in the spring 2026 Developments newsletter.