News & Events

Get to know our program coordinator Shelby Rietgraf.

We are pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of the Bright Scholars of Iowa, Lois Dale Bright Scholarship, and Bright Scholars Persistence awards. 

March 23, 2024 – The second annual Bright Symposium took place on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, Iowa. This year’s symposium brought the engagement and connection of over 50 Bright Scholars, Bright Alum, Bright Foundation board members, volunteers, speakers, and corporate partners with the guiding theme of working hard. Since establishing the Bright Scholars of Iowa award in 2012, the Bright Foundation has proudly dedicated its support toward young Iowans as they work hard to graduate college on time, debt-free, prepared to launch their careers and give back in some way. Based on the values of founders Lois and Dale Bright, who worked hard, saved carefully, invested wisely, and gave back when they could, The Bright Symposium is an annual opportunity for scholarship recipients to embrace this hard-working spirit and what it means to be a Bright Scholar.

“Last semester was my best semester yet! I have recently completed an internship at Siemens Digital Industries, and am starting a Co-Op opportunity at International Paper. I am also in a leadership position in the Hawkeye Marching Band. I finished last semester strong and am one semester away from graduating as the first person in my family to get a degree! So, my advice to other Bright Scholars is to take advantage of every opportunity that you get, lean on those around you for support, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and you will accomplish great things.”

Meet Dayton, our newest Dig­i­tal Media intern at the Bright Foun­da­tion! Dayton is a fresh­man at Iowa State University major­ing in Interior Design. She is excited to develop creative and professional skills as she starts her journey as a Bright Foundation intern. Hear more about her role by read­ing her full interview!

Bright Foundation Recognized by UNI Foundation as a 2023 President’s Philanthropy Award Winner

On Friday, December 17, 2023, the H. Dale and Lois Bright Foundation was honored to be recognized as the Corporate/Foundation 2023 President’s Philanthropy Award Winner by the University of Northern Iowa Foundation during the Distinguished Awards Celebration held on the UNI campus. This award is presented annually to a corporation, foundation, or organization that has demonstrated generosity to UNI through significant leadership giving, dedicated long-term service, and assistance to UNI students and faculty through recruitment opportunities and/or programming support.

"You're going to embarrass yourself many times over your college career, but don't let the fear of embarrassing yourself get in the way of experiencing all that college has to offer."

The Bright Foundation is delighted to introduce the 2023 recipients for the Bright Scholars of Iowa Scholarship, the Lois Dale Bright Scholarship, and the Bright Scholars Persistence Scholarship.

2023 Bright Symposium: A Day Spent Investing Wisely.

On March 25, 2023, the Bright Symposium took place on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Bringing together over 70 Bright Scholars from across the state with Bright Alum, Bright Foundation board members, volunteers, and keynote speakers. The Symposium was held with the theme Investing Wisely-- in one’s education, career goals, and oneself. For the first-ever Symposium, the Bright Foundation aimed to further support and equip Bright Scholars with important tools and resources as they strive to graduate on time, debt-free, prepared to launch their careers, and give back in some way.

Meet Meredith, President of the Bright Foun­da­tion! Read her full interview to explore the career pathway and personal values that fuel her dedication to helping others pursue higher education.

“Thanks to the scholarship, I was able to find a job on campus I actually enjoyed that would further my career, rather than having to look for a better-paying job. I took a position in the tutoring center for lower pay because I was not worried about how I was going to cover my tuition. This gave me an opportunity to work with students and improve my teaching skills.”

Meet Thi, our newest Dig­i­tal Media intern at the Bright Foun­da­tion! Thi is a fresh­man at the University of Iowa major­ing in Economics and International Relations with a Writing Certificate. She is excited to get to know more about the foundation that changed her life while utilizing her knowledge and experience to connect more scholars, alumni, and high school students. Hear more about her role by read­ing her full interview!