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WZTV FOX 17 - Top Stories
Ayo Sonupe has been in Nashville less than two months but that time has made a lasting impression.
"It's a big thank you. It's a big relief. I'm so proud I'm part of this community," said Sonupe.
A few weeks ago, Sonupe wasn't even sure he could stay here.
The first year Vanderbilt MBA student almost had to return home to Nigeria because of problems paying for school.
Initially he planned to use family money but that fell through..
Sonupe then tried to get a loan in Nigeria but banks didn't want to loan him money while he was in the United States and he didn't find any better luck getting a loan here.
"The school had done the best they could. They give me some time. Just at a point where I gave up," said Sonupe.
The low point came in late August when the University gave him the deadline of August 31st to pay his $10,000 tuition bill.
Sonupe says he was resigned to returning home but his friend Armen Henderson had a different idea.
Two days before the deadline, Henderson started a website to raise money.
"If I was just a student and I worked so hard to get here and the only thing standing in my way was a couple of thousand dollars I would like someone to do something similar for me," said Henderson.
Even Henderson is surprised at what happened next.
Almost immediately donations started rolling in.
"I refresh and it's $7,000 dollars. This is probably going to happen and at that point I get excited," said Sonupe.
The day after the website launched some 250 people, many of them students, donated enough money for Sonupe to pay his tuition.
"The whole experience made me realize how great the school is," said Sonupe.
"It's a big thank you. It's a big relief. I'm so proud I'm part of this community," said Sonupe.
A few weeks ago, Sonupe wasn't even sure he could stay here.
The first year Vanderbilt MBA student almost had to return home to Nigeria because of problems paying for school.
Initially he planned to use family money but that fell through..
Sonupe then tried to get a loan in Nigeria but banks didn't want to loan him money while he was in the United States and he didn't find any better luck getting a loan here.
"The school had done the best they could. They give me some time. Just at a point where I gave up," said Sonupe.
The low point came in late August when the University gave him the deadline of August 31st to pay his $10,000 tuition bill.
Sonupe says he was resigned to returning home but his friend Armen Henderson had a different idea.
Two days before the deadline, Henderson started a website to raise money.
"If I was just a student and I worked so hard to get here and the only thing standing in my way was a couple of thousand dollars I would like someone to do something similar for me," said Henderson.
Even Henderson is surprised at what happened next.
Almost immediately donations started rolling in.
"I refresh and it's $7,000 dollars. This is probably going to happen and at that point I get excited," said Sonupe.
The day after the website launched some 250 people, many of them students, donated enough money for Sonupe to pay his tuition.
"The whole experience made me realize how great the school is," said Sonupe.
Monday, September 17 2012, 10:53 PM CDT
Tennessee News
Bonnaroo and then what? More events could follow
May 20, 2013 12:33 GMT
MANCHESTER, Tenn. (AP) -- The former farm where the Bonnaroo music festival is held may play host to other events as well.
The partnership that puts on the annual music and arts festival in Manchester has steadily upgraded the site, adding a dozen water wells and permanent electrical power.
Festival partner Rick Farman told The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/14nuEF5 ) his group is in active discussion with a lot of groups. The Great American Mud Run will be held at the site on July 27 and is expected to draw more than 5,000 participants.
Coffee County Mayor David Pennington said he's curious to see where such a plan could go, saying it could have a huge impact.
This year's Bonnaroo will be held June 13-16. Paul McCartney heads a long list if acts.
Information from: The Tennessean, http://www.tennessean.com
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