-For Immediate Release-
On August 21, 2023, the University of the Southwest Foundation established the Karisa Ann Raines Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was funded through an initial gift of $100,000 from Gary and Sandy Raines, parents of Karisa Ann Raines. Investment earnings from the endowment will fund an annual scholarship awarded to a full-time USW student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a member of USW athletics. Preference for the award will be given to student-athletes on the golf team.
Karisa (known on campus as “Little Red”) was a USW student and member of the 2022 Women’s Golf Team. As a senior in her last two classes at USW, Karisa’s degree was conferred upon her posthumously in March of 2022. Scholarship recipients for the 2023 academic year include Halie Cruz, Phillip Lopez, Harrison Kessler, and Jonathan Flores.
Dr. Tipton, President of USW, states, “It is a privilege to work with Gary and Sandy to establish this endowment forever honoring Karisa. She made such an impact on our campus and brightened every classroom with her kindness and positivity. Her memory here at USW will continue to support future students as they pursue their dream of playing golf and continuing their education.”
Karisa’s father, Gary Raines, noted, “Sandy and I are so excited about the opportunity to help deserving scholar-athletes in Karisa's name. Her passions were God, her family, education, and golf. She considered each of her teammates as family, so it is appropriate that our first scholarships should go to Halie, Jonathan, Philip, and Harrison. We know that "Little Red" would be honored and thrilled to be an integral part of their continued education. With the assistance of USW, Karisa Ann Raines will forever remain a huge part of the university and their scholarship program.”