Twenty-nine first-generation Indiana college students got a boost to their education funds this academic year and re-connected with influential educators who helped along the way after being named “Realizing the Dream” recipients by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI). These 29 scholarship recipients, one from each of Indiana’s private, non-profit colleges and universities, were celebrated at a banquet on March 1 at the Eiteljorg Museum. Award recipients, videos, and photos are listed below.
Christina Keene is the recipient from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Keene is a sophomore from Greenfield, Indiana, and is majoring in psychology and marketing. Her influential educator is Sarah Zych from Greenfield-Central High School.
Made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the scholarship program annually recognizes first-generation college students from ICI colleges and universities. Students are selected for the $4,000 award for outstanding achievement as they successfully advance toward completing their bachelor’s degrees.
To honor recipients, ICI created individual videos of each student describing what it means to them to be a first-generation college student and thanking the influential educator they have chosen to honor. Videos can be found at icindiana.org/rtd.
“Thanks to the continued support of Lilly Endowment, we get the opportunity to hear the inspiring stories of these first-generation students and the impact local educators have had on their drive to succeed academically,” said Dottie L. King, ICI’s president & CEO. “These scholarship awards will provide critical support for these young people who are dreaming of future success.”
In addition to the students’ scholarship awards, the influential educators also receive $1,000 in professional development grants.
Listed below are the Realizing the Dream recipients, along with the colleges they are attending, as well as the teachers they have honored as their most influential educators and the schools where they taught the recipients. (Student recipients and their colleges are listed first, followed by their teacher honoree and school.)
Emily Galarza, Anderson University
Gretchen Wagner, Arsenal Technical High School
Ana Hernandez, Bethel University
Sandra Ponce De Leon, International Soccer Academy of America
Brooke Roessler, Butler University
Arlena Cook, Beech Grove High School
Jamorah Edwards, Calumet College of St. Joseph
Angela Escobedo, Merrillville Community School Corporation
Juana Burgara, DePauw University
Alexander Lantz, North Central High School
Owen Hodges, Earlham College
Amanda Schnepp, Southport High School
Liberty Rivera, Franklin College
Jim Weitzel, River Forest High School
Ashwaq Aldhuraibi, Goshen College
Krystal Booth, Westview Jr/Sr High
Abbey Silliman, Grace College
Daniel Bauer, Wawasee Community Schools
Rose of Sharon Camacena Mendez, Hanover College
Doug Rusk, Southwestern High School (retired)
Aurora Nunez, Holy Cross College
Paul Kuharic, Saint Joseph High School
Ephraim Podgorski, Huntington University
Lisa Laughlin, Portage Christian School
Colin O’Farrow, Indiana Institute of Technology
Kelly Gant, New Castle High School
Eliyahna Brothers, Indiana Wesleyan University
Gina Wright, Jimtown High School
Chloe Steele, Manchester University
Debra Kern, Manchester Jr/Sr High School (retired)
David Soles, Marian University
Susanna Shelton, Bloomington High School South
Roneisha Cardwell, Martin University
Carey Munoz, Ben Davis High School
Morgan Sonner, Oakland City University
Tim Bridges, Lanesville Senior High School (retired)
Ethan Harden, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Glen Woodworth, South Montgomery High School
Christina Keene, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Sarah Zych, Greenfield-Central High School
Megyn Alexandra Mann, Saint Mary’s College
Charlotte Tyree, Plymouth High School
Zoe Hooley, Taylor University
Nicholas Clark, Northridge High School
Mia Diaz, Trine University
Kristen Tropf, Fairfield High School
Cody Bunch, University of Evansville
Eric Antey, Castle High School
Mateo Gomez Ospina, University of Indianapolis
Joseph Martin, Ben Davis High School
Tommy Le, University of Notre Dame
Stephanie Kromer, Bishop Dwenger High School
Jose Solis Valtierra, University of Saint Francis
Kristen Billingsley, Bishop Luers High School (retired)
Jacqueline Rios, Valparaiso University
Christine Weatherby, Ivy Tech Community College
Caiden Jeffries, Wabash College
Brian Duncan, Attica Jr/Sr High School
About Independent Colleges of Indiana
Independent Colleges of Indiana serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, non-profit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. Although the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.