Impact of Giving -- Students and Faculty
More than 12,000 stories exist on campus; stories about international travel, service to communities, faculty/student research, financial trials and triumphs. Our generous donors help provide a happy ending to thousands of those stories.
To create a scholarship, contact us at (800) 782-9522.
Impact of Scholarships
More than 85 percent of UNI students rely on some type of financial aid.
 "I love working with little children," said Mallorie. "So earning a degree in Early Childhood Education is very important to me and so is graduating with as little debt as possible. I come from a single-parent family, and my mom has taught me that I can have what I want in life, but I have to work for it. So, I have a job working in the Panther Call Center, and I have applied for scholarships. Every bit of assistance I receive relieves financial burden for my mom and for me. This year I received the Constance McCutcheon Scholarship, now I'm that much closer to my dream."
Omaru, a native of Bissau, the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, says his biggest challenge in attending college is making the choice between working to support his financially poor family and continuing his education.
Notice of Omaru's scholarship came at a critical time for him. He said, "I was studying for finals and worrying how I would pay for my next semester of classes. Receiving the Laura Jones Scholarship reduced my financial stress and helped me focus on my studies."
Omaru is a freshman majoring in political science. He is president of the UNI African Union and a member of International Student Promoters (ISP). Both organizations promote UNI and social and cultural activities of different traditions on the campus. He also works as an office assistant at UNI's Center for Multicultural Education (CME).
Alexa, Biology/Portuguese/Spanish
“I get really excited about the research I do because it is
question oriented, which means I get to discover the answer,” says UNI senior Alexa
Warwick
Alexa is eager to connect her knowledge with real-world
issues. The generosity of many donors helped her make those connections. Thanks
to scholarships for tuition, research, travel and study abroad, Alexa was able to focus
on her research and studies. She recently graduated from the conservation oriented
genetics program. Alexa received the Symposium Scholarship through the College of Natural Sciences,
which clinched her decision to attend the University of Northern Iowa.
Other donors include the Dave Swanson Research Grant and the Alan Orr Research
Grant.
Through three study abroad scholarships, Alexa studied in Brasilia, Brazil,
last fall. She collected toads, frogs, snakes and other creatures. In addition
to her fieldwork and lab work, Alexa practiced her Portuguese and gained
valuable experience in a new culture.
Her experiences at UNI helped prepare her for graduate school at Florida
State University where she continues her research.
Sherman, Communications/Public Relations
“I want to be remembered for the good I did, not for being
famous,” says Sherman Wise, UNI public relations major. “The scholarships I’ve
received from Carver Trust and Principal Financial broaden my opportunities to
‘pay it forward.’ It sets the path for the future because I’ll be able to give
back much more than the dollars I have received. Not everyone has the
opportunities that I have had here at UNI. I want to make this happen for
others.”
One of Sherman’s
goals is to graduate with a debt of no more than $12,000 so he can dive into
his real passion—philanthropy. He already has an impressive resume including
three internships at non-profit agencies in the Cedar Valley.
He also volunteers at several organizations and his church.
The oldest of five brothers and the father of two children, Sherman is eager to be
the role model he lacked while growing up. Sherman says, “It’s hard to learn how to swim
if you’ve never seen water.”
Through his college career and involvement in the community,
Sherman has met
several mentors. Private support and great mentors helped him find the path to
his success. Sherman
is determined to meet his goals to become a philanthropist, finish writing his
life story, The Transformation; and
start his own public relations firm, Wise Decisions.
Krystal, Communications/Public Relations
Krystal is quick to credit her scholarship
for supporting her dream of earning a degree in public relations. “I am so
grateful for this scholarship. It is such a relief not to have to take out an
additional loan for living expenses,” says Krystal. “I met my donor, Gladys Meier,
at the Scholarship Luncheon. She represents the Class of 1954. Gladys is an
incredible woman and really inspired me to work hard and always do my best.”
As a student intern in the UNI Foundation, Krystal organizes
the Student Challenge. Her creative ideas have inspired a boost in student
giving. Students enjoyed the scavenger hunt Krystal designed last fall. The
scavenger hunt helped students become familiar with campus and helped them
understand the tradition of student giving. Judging from Krystal’s success with
the Student Challenge, she is sure to find success in her next venture.
Last summer Krystal interned in London, England. with the Royal Thames Yacht Club. She served as a
special events coordinator and studied British culture.
Christina, Spanish major
"It was mid-spring of my senior year in high school, and I hadn't received any big scholarships yet. The fact that I would be paying for college suddenly sunk in like lead. I was becoming worried, anxious and slightly disheartened. Then, I was selected to receive the Dean's Scholarship in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts at UNI. Once I heard this news, I felt like warm water was washing my worries away. Coming from a family of 13 children, I was relieved to receive this scholarship."
Impact of a Professorship
Jean Gerrath, professor of biology
"The Prem Sahai Distinguished Professor Award allowed me to hire three students to assist with a research project. This experience helped students complete projects that led to publications in national journals and also allowed them to hone their skills and then apply successfully to postgraduade programs."
Impact of Study Abroad
Jay Lees, associate professor of history
"For the past five years, I've taken students to Europe to participate in study abroad programs. Four times students accompanied me to Krakow, Poland, to explore Poland and study the Holocaust. I have yet to take a single student on one of these trips whose life hasn't been changed by it. I do wish so very much that this wonderful opportunity had the funding necessary to make it available to all students."
Categories: students
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