Shawn Daily is investing in Louisiana’s future by creating a scholarship for Northwestern State University students. Daily, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Natchitoches, created a scholarship through a donation to the NSU Foundation with preference for students majoring in business, finance, accounting, marketing or related fields.

Daily, who has taught classes in NSU’s School of Business over the years and supported many university events, said it’s his way of giving back. In addition to meeting promising future business leaders through the School of Business, many of his clients have been associated with the university. He and his wife are long-time platinum underwriters of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Society and supported NSU’s two main spring fund raisers, Flavor of Louisiana and the Dragon Boat Races. An initiate of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at NSU, he has also served as chapter advisor and financial advisor for the fraternity.

“We are blessed to have Mr. Daily who is nationally known in the world of finance,” said NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio. “Of all the philanthropic organizations, we are grateful that he chose to support NSU.”

Daily came to Natchitoches 43 years ago to open the first Edward Jones office in the area. Interested in getting to know the community, he taught a continuing education class at NSU on the basics of investing and later taught finance classes for the School of Business, at times, recruiting promising students to work in the firm.

Daily earned his bachelor’s degree at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, served in the U.S. Navy and returned to SFA to earn a master’s degree in social psychology. As he was completing his graduate degree, he met an Edward Jones broker who drew him into that profession. He opened the Edwards Jones office in Louisiana and in the following years recruited, hired and expanded the company by opening offices in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

“There is a psychology to investing,” he said. “When recruiting, I looked for people who would be a good fit, who were smart, intuitive and honest.”

Daily is engaged in other community endeavors in Natchitoches. An avid hunter, he is involved with Ducks Unlimited, has served as president of the American Cemetery Association for the past 30 years and is a former candidate guidance officer for the U.S. Naval Academy.

He said the unrestricted nature of his donation could relieve the burden of an NSU student with rent to pay, bills and other expenses.

According to Maggio, about 400 of NSU’s 1,600 incoming students this fall are first generation college students, the first in their families to attend college. For many, just a few hundred dollars in scholarship assistance can make a significant impact in meeting their academic goals.

“Through private donations, we are able to fill in the gaps and offer a scholarship package to students whether they get TOPS or not,” Maggio said. “These awards truly make a difference and we can’t do it without private donors.”

Development Officer Jill Bankston, CFRE, said she sees the impact of private donations every day.

“We have one-on-one conversations with students about their goals and their challenges in staying enrolled due to financial constraints,” Bankston said. “We don’t want these students to give up. Many are balancing work and family with academics, so the scholarship awards are truly valuable in helping them obtain their degrees and pursue a better quality of life.”

For more information on supporting NSU scholarships, call (318) 357-4414 or visit northwesternalumni.com.

[Media release from Northwestern State University News Bureau]