Pitt State president plans second year of unique way to raise student scholarships  

Last summer, Pittsburg State University President Dan Shipp embarked on an ambitious fundraising campaign to raise $8 million for scholarships and the student experience by riding his bike across Kansas and meeting with alumni and friends of the university along the way. He called it Dan Bikes Kansas, and it worked. 

This summer, he’s continuing the idea with another campaign: Dan Golfs the Four States, this time with a focus on scholarships for student-athletes. 

From May 13 through May 24, he’ll golf at locations across Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, to raise funds for the Silverback Fund by playing golf with alumni and other supporters.  

“If we think back to last year, what was fun about that was it was inspired by our students,” he said. “I asked them about barriers to continuing their education, and it was no surprise that one of the barriers was affordability.” 

This year, he’ll be joined by Pitt State Athletic Director Jim Johnson. 

“We have nearly 400 student-athletes at Pitt State, and none of them receive a ‘full ride’,” Johnson said. “Scholarships from the Silverback Fund enable them to focus on their performance and the championship culture we expect in Gorilla Nation.” 

They are looking forward to connecting with communities, alumni, donors, and friends of the university. 

The goal: $3 million.  

Privately funded scholarships will help relieve the university’s general fund. 

“We make life better through education – that's our mission,” Shipp said. “No task is too big or too small to help students get that education.” 

Foursomes will play over eight days at eight courses across the four states, and Gorillas around the globe can participate remotely on their home courses. Each of the eight days will also include an evening gathering for all alumni and friends in the area.  

Those competing from their local courses can do so individually or can form a team. A leaderboard combining in-person and remote play will be featured online, with daily and overall winners.  

“We ask a lot of our student-athletes, and what they bring to Pitt State impacts the entire community,” Shipp said. “Growing their financial support is critical to continued success and our ability to recruit and retain the best athletes in NCAA Division II athletics.”  

Also planned: Shipp and Johnson are identifying places in which to do community service as Shipp and his team did last year on his bike trip in Wichita along the Arkansas River and in western Kansas along the Santa Fe Trail. 

Details: pittstate.edu/dangolfs4states