News & Events

Home News & Events

UNI Hosts Bright Scholars of Iowa Reception

UNI Hosts Bright Scholars of Iowa Reception

On October 30, 2014, The University of Northern Iowa hosted a reception at the Center for Multicultural Education to honor students awarded the Bright Scholars of Iowa Scholarship.

Bob Fanter of the Bright Foundation attended the event where the where the newest recipients of the scholarship were recognized and presented with a Bright Scholars medallion, including:

Anthony Beyerink – Finance
Dana Counsell – English Education
Emily Glawe – Undecided
Jacqueline Henry – Elementary Education
Dianna Huisman – Biology/Biochemistry Pre-Vet
Omar Martinez – Physics
Bobbi McGinnis – Finance
Coved Oswald – Computer Science
Shelby Yates – Leisure, Youth and Human Services
Zachary Youmans – Math Education

During the event, remarks were provided by:

Joyce Morrow – Director, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Anne Strom – 2013 Bright Scholar Recipient
Beverly Apel – Bright Foundation Representative
Coved Oswald – 2014 Bright Scholar Recipient
Shelby Yates – 2014 Bright Scholar Recipient

At the event, medallions were presented to previous recipients of the Bright Scholars of Iowa award including Garrett Miller in 2012 and students from the 2013 cohort, including:

Amy Nordyke
Zachary Rye
Jesse Sorenson
Bailey St. Clair
Ann Strom

“This is a great community of scholarship recipients to be part of. The scholarship has improved my life in so many ways – not only by allowing me to graduate debt-free in just eight semesters, but also by providing a support system and a network of other Bright Scholars.”

“The most valuable part of being a Bright Scholar was experiencing college from a different perspective. I am so grateful for every opportunity and position I was able to hold because I had nothing to worry about and could truly enjoy every moment. Having the freedom to get involved allowed me to further my professional development and give back to the college and community, things I would not have been able to do if I didn’t have the scholarship.”

“As I finish my sophomore year, I am grateful that I have received the Bright Scholarship to help me achieve my goals. My grades have been good and I am proud that I’ve been making Dean’s List. I attended the Engineering job fair to target companies for a summer internship. After being offered two, I chose Nutra Flo, a liquid fertilizer manufacturer in South Dakota. I’m excited to see what I will learn and how much I know out in the real world of Mechanical Engineering. Thank you again for awarding me the Bright Scholarship. Thanks to the Bright Foundation, I have been able to attend ISU without the burden of deep financial indebtedness. It has allowed me to experience ISU but most importantly, I have been able to study in order to do well in my classes. It is because of the Brights — they had a vision to help young people in Iowa achieve higher education. I am excited to be a part of that vision.”

“I’m a student at DMACC and this award is extremely helpful and appreciated. All this past semester, I’ve been working and going to school while barely making it by. This award will give me the chance to focus on school more. I am so honored to receive it and I am so thankful there are people like you to help college students, like myself, out. I plan on finishing up school and becoming an elementary teacher. The scholarship will help me get one step closer to that goal!”

“I would like to thank you for your contribution. Without your help, it would be difficult to attend college and pursue my dream career of being a veterinarian. I am extremely honored and hope to give back to foundations like this one day.”

“During college, the Bright Scholarship allowed me to focus on school instead of working multiple jobs to stay afloat. In my three years since college, the same has been true – instead of being forced to worry about accepting any job just to pay my student loans, I’ve been able to chase (and land) my dream job!”