$19,000 Awarded to Kansas Students; Average GPA of winners increases in 2022

Topeka, KS, April 19^th, 2022: The Kansas Independent College Foundation received a record 116 total nominations for its annual collection of merit-based scholarships. A volunteer panel of ten judges helped select the 22 winners. Together these students represent 10 of KICF’s member schools with an exceptional average GPA of 3.85. Each nominated student had to submit detailed essays about their leadership training, their future career goals, and why they chose an independent option for their higher education. A selection of quotes from the winning essays are included in this release.

In announcing our 2022 Green and Gold Scholarship recipients, KICF President Matt Lindsey says, "Truly, these scholarships showcase our strengths and help us highlight that some of the best and brightest students are located on small, independent campuses. First generation students and students of color are more likely to graduate - and graduate on-time - from non-profit colleges like ours than other types of institutions. With diverse campus life experiences and robust academic programs, our network is designed to serve all students including adult learners, Veterans, teachers, parents, Faith leaders, and more.”

KICF awards these scholarships to celebrate our diverse and talented student community who demonstrate a commitment to excellence, virtue, and integrity. Please join us in congratulating our 2021-2022 cohort of winners, (noted below with hometown, major(s) and institutions).

Minority Student Scholarship (5 @ $1,000 each):

• Avery De Walt, a Social Work major at Kansas Wesleyan University from Keller, TX
• Tiffany Huynh, a Biology major at Newman University from Wichita
• Jackson Maldanado, a Biology major at Benedictine College from Goddard
• Hevi Mamo, a Health major at Hesston College from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Tia Perkins, a Nursing major at University of Saint Mary, from Belleville, IL Tia told us, “I wanted an excellent education, not mediocre, and when I walked into Saint Joseph dining hall and saw their core values painted on the ceiling, everything I wanted in a school was right above me. I did not want to feel like a number, and I wanted an exemplary education based around me, and that is why I chose the University of Saint Mary.”

First Generation Scholarship (5 @ $1,000 each):

• Aadesh Biswa, an Educationmajor at Donnelly College from Kansas City
• Jessica Hernandez, a Visual Communications major at Friends University from Haysville
• Hailey O'Neal, a Psychology major at Tabor College from Pipe Creek, TX
• Tiny Phan, a Biology major at Southwestern College from Amarillo, TX
• Nicole Romero, a Biology major at Newman University from Andover. Nicole says, “My passion and knowledge have only grown while at Newman University. Not only do the professors know our names they know our weaknesses. They are able to answer our questions in a way that they know we will better understand it. I have never felt more encouraged or included by any other group of people than I do at Newman.”

American Service Member Scholarship (1 @ $1,000):

• Robert Testerman, US Army Veteran, Criminal Justice major at Central Christian College of Kansas, from Ponca City, OK.

   

   

   

  Better Life Degree Completion Award (1 @ $1,000):

• Johonna Marsh, a Business Administration major at Friends University from Wichita.

   

  Future Leaders in Business (2 @ $750 each):

• Kierra Shewey, an Accounting major at Tabor College from Meade
• Adam Wilbers, a Marketing major at Benedictine College from Wardsville, MO. He praises his experience, “Benedictine College has not only provided me access to classes, resources, and connections that pursue the same ideals as myself, but they have also given me the capabilities to achieve my goals. As a liberal arts college, Benedictine has created a tailored approach to learning that focuses on the well-being of the student in the universal, not just a singular sense of a trade.”

Future Leaders in the Arts (2 @ $750 each):

• Kaitlyn Lumbert, a Theatre Performance major at Sterling College from Rose Hill, who shared: “Another reason I chose Sterling College is because, ironically, it was cheaper than any other state schools I looked into. I had grown up with the idea that state schools would be some of my cheapest options, but throughout the application process I soon realized I would have better luck getting an affordable education at Sterling.”

• Elena Nguyen, a Theatre Arts major at Benedictine College from Prairie Village

Future Leaders in Education (2 @ $750 each):

• Taylor Bohannan, a Secondary Education major at McPherson College from Belle Plaine . Their winning essay included: “This year I was nominated to be one of the two student representatives on the Teacher Education Board. I represent secondary education students, sit in on monthly board meetings, and serve as a voting member when it comes to approving any curricular and policy changes, accepting students into the teacher education program, and student teaching. This position allows me to be a voice for students of the Teacher Education Program and also ensures I am modeling the ideals that the Teacher Education Board puts into place.”

   

• Mary Isaak, a Secondary Education major at Benedictine College from New Hope, MN

Future Leaders in Faith (2 @ $750 each):

• Mariana Goettemoeller, a Theology major at Benedictine College from Lincoln, NE
• Michael Johannes, a Bible & Leadership major at Manhattan Christian College from Manhattan

Future Leaders in Health Professions (2 @ $750 each):

• Kirsten Abbott, a Chiropratic major at Cleveland University-Kansas City from Overland Park
• Tara Sheets, a Biomedicine & Biology major at Tabor College from Azle, TX

The scholarship reviewers who volunteered to help KICF name these winners have a diverse collection of business, government, community, and education expertise. They are John Carlin, Former Kansas Governor, Alan Cobb, President & CEO of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Susan Hattan, Former advisor to Senator Nancy Kassebaum, Doug Penner, Former KICA President, Heather Morgan, of the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees, Amy Pinger of Harvesters, Ryan Archer with IMA, Stacey Curtis of BOK Financial, Emily Pettit with the Virtual Care Group, and Steve Spurgeon of Energy Service Professionals.

Details, including the winners’ GPAs, more quotes, and scholarship eligibility rules, can be found at: http://www.kscolleges.org/greenandgold-scholarships.

###

Located in Topeka, the Kansas Independent College Foundation is a 501(c)3 that develops and enhances the competitive standing of its 20-member independent, non-profit, regionally accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities and strives to assure opportunity and choice in higher education for all students. For more information on the Foundation, please contact Jesyca Hope at 785-235-9877 or jesyca@kscolleges.org.