Last modified: Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Record number of student scholarships awarded by IU Anniversary Class Campaign funds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 1, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Thirty-two undergraduate students at Indiana University Bloomington have been awarded a record $80,000 in scholarship funds through the Class Campaign Anniversary Scholarship program. The $2,500 scholarships are awarded for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Gifts to the Class Campaign program are counted as part of the Matching the Promise fundraising campaign for the IU Bloomington campus, said Karen Hanson, IU Bloomington provost and executive vice president.
"The goal of the campaign, begun in 2003, is $1.1 billion by June 30, 2010. As of the end of October, the fundraising campaign stands at $1.02 billion," Hanson said.
Campaign priorities are recruitment and retention of top faculty, construction and renovation of facilities for teaching, learning and research, and scholarships and fellowships for students.
"Gifts for scholarships, such as the Class Campaign Anniversary Scholarships, are an important way that donors can partner with IU on one of its most important priorities -- the affordability of an IU education," Hanson said.
Class Campaign scholarship recipient Amanda Zimmerman from Munster, Ind., is pursuing a degree in psychology with the dream of becoming a child psychologist.
"It is inspiring and touching that IU alums would be so willing to help me and the next generation of IU students. These people don't even know me and yet they are willing to help me meet my life goals," said Zimmerman, who is a sophomore. "My family is grateful, too, because they cannot help me as much as they would like. I do have a part-time job, but this scholarship support helps me manage more easily. Thank you, IU!"
Since 1989, IU Bloomington alumni celebrating their 25th or 50th reunions have had the opportunity to make gifts to support students or faculty on the Bloomington campus. The Class Campaigns program has raised more than $6 million from 40 IU anniversary classes. More than 800 alumni have served as leadership volunteers on fundraising committees.
The Class of 1939 was the first to raise funds. At that time, the program focused on creating endowed faculty positions. The classes of 1959 and 1984 are currently celebrating their 50th and 25th anniversaries by raising scholarships funds for students.
IU alumnus, Little 500 rider and SPEA graduate Steve Eller serves on the 1984 Class Campaigns Committee. Eller volunteers his time and gives of his resources because "my education at IU has been a key element to my professional success as vice president of human resources for Bosch."
Believing that "alumni involvement with the university is critical to maintaining the level of excellence at IU," Eller mentors students and serves on the School of Public and Environmental Affairs Alumni Board and the Kelley School of Business Supply Chain and Global Management Academy Board.
"I am only too happy to help the next generation receive an IU education," said Eller. "Serving on the Class Campaign Committee for our 25th anniversary was a fulfilling experience and provided me another opportunity to give back to IU in a meaningful way."
Marie Kingdon of Indianapolis echoed these sentiments. The 1959 alumna, Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority president, former YWCA cabinet member and Panhellenic representative said, "I can't believe it's been 50 years since I was graduated from Indiana University. I just loved being there and I was very pleased and honored to help with our Class Campaign. My IU opportunities and experiences helped me develop into who I am today. Certainly IU gave me the skills necessary to have a very fulfilling career. Helping the next generation of IU students develop their potential through scholarship support was very meaningful and important to me."
The Class Campaign Anniversary Scholarships are awarded by the IU Office of Scholarships. Full-time undergraduate students who are enrolled on the Bloomington campus and who maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) are eligible.
2009-10 Class Campaign Anniversary scholarship recipients are:
- Rebecca Austin, Kirkwood, Mo.
- Kimberly Biberstein, Craigville, Ind.
- Gloria Chan, Plainfield, Ind.
- Robyn Coleman, Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Stephanie Davenport, Seymour, Ind.
- Kathryn Everett, Johnston, Iowa
- Richard Gottbrath, Louisville, Ky.
- Sarah Guido, Southgate, Mich.
- Gregory Hendle, Northbrook, Ill.
- Kali Hopkins, Loogootee, Ind.
- James Huddleston, Louisville, Ky.
- Courtney Kronmiller, Fort Wayne, Ind.
- Shannon Leisher, Norman, Okla.
- Zachary Mays, Ballwin, Mo.
- Carmen Miller, Louisville, Ky.
- Sarah Miller, Decatur, Ind.
- Julia Mosby, Citrus Heights, Calif.
- Kristin Nakagawa, Bakersfield, Calif.
- Jay Neel, Zionsville, Ind.
- Cheyenne Poe, Fredericksburg, Ind.
- Shae Rueckert, Hawthorn Woods, Ill.
- Lauren Sibrel, Santa Claus, Ind.
- Matt Smith, Arlington Heights, Ill.
- Cara Sparks, Lyons, Ind.
- Ross Stuckey, Mason, Ohio
- Elizabeth Tiritilli, Chicago
- Ashley Urben, Brookfield, Ill.
- Ryan Ward, Grand Rapids, Mich.
- Alicia Whittaker, Plymouth, Ind.
- Laura Whitt, Woodridge, Ill.
- Eric Wood, North Vernon, Ind.
- Amanda Zimmerman, Munster, Ind.
