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UNI Recognizes Bright Scholars of Iowa

UNI Recognizes Bright Scholars of Iowa

On September 27, 2018, the University of Northern Iowa held its annual event to honor Bright Scholars as a dinner reception in the Slife Ballroom/Commons.

On September 27, 2018, the University of Northern Iowa held its annual event to honor Bright Scholars as a dinner reception in the Slife Ballroom/Commons. The Bright Foundation presented the new scholars with a Bright Scholars of Iowa medallion and Bright Story books. The scholars recognized at the event included:

2018

Elvedina Arapovic
Kayla Carter
Brook Hjelmeland
Zander Ketchum
Taylor Towne

2017

Alek Boeding
Bobbie Hilmer
Hailey Huggins
Dalton Tonne

2016

Rasmira Bajramovic
Alexandria Bibbs
Amanda Dedrick
Kayla Edwards
Kourtney Ende-Braun
Tanner Moran
Natalie Neuzil
Sean Riley
Ela Rizvanovic
Cole Schreiber
Trevor Wangsness
Kade Williams

2015

Leziga Barikor
Deon Cleveland
Jessica Ewart
Thao Luong
Toby Mason
Dalena Nguyen
Natasha Peterson
Holly Von Ehwegen
Hunter Washburn
Athena-Sade Whiteside

The event included remarks by:

Tim Bakula – Director, Financial Aid and Scholarships
Mark Noon – UNI President
Trevor Wangsness – 2016 Bright Scholar Recipient
Thomas Press – President and Managing Director, Bright Foundation
Meredith Dohmen – Director of Scholarships, Bright Foundation

“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.”

“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!”

“With each passing semester I become even more thankful for this scholarship. My college experience has been phenomenal and this scholarship deserves all the credit. You have allowed to me the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy receiving my education at the University of Iowa. I am thankful to be a Bright Scholar of Iowa. Thank you so much for the college experience you have let me have through this scholarship.”

“I would like to take this time to thank you for your contribution towards the scholarship I have been granted through Indian Hills Community College. I will be attending Indian Hills with a major in psychology. I then plan to transfer to a four-year college and potentially graduate school after that to continue my education. Thank you again for your contribution and the endless possibilities you have given me!”

“I am beyond grateful for the opportunities this scholarship has opened up for me. Many doors closed right in front of me, and the Bright Foundation opened up a door of hope for my future. I sometimes think I am dreaming and soon realize this is really happening. I am the first one in my family to attend a University. I can not put into words how much of a blessing this has been not only for me but for my family! I will forever be thankful.”

“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.”