Indiana College Students ‘Realizing the Dream’ with Scholarships, Connection to Influential Educators

Several first-generation Indiana college students are getting a boost to their education funds this semester and re-connecting with influential educators who helped along the way after being named “Realizing the Dream” recipients by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).

Made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the scholarship program annually recognizes first-generation college students from ICI’s 29 private, non-profit colleges and universities. Students are selected for the $3,000 award for outstanding achievement during their freshman year as they successfully advance toward completing their bachelor’s degrees.

To honor recipients, ICI created individual videos of each student describing what it means to them to be a first-generation college student and thanking the influential educator they have chosen to honor. Videos can be found at icindiana.org/rtd.

“Thanks to the continued support of Lilly Endowment, we get the opportunity to hear the inspiring stories of these first-generation students and the impact local educators have had on their drive to succeed academically,” ICI President & CEO David W. Wantz said. “These scholarship awards will provide critical support for these young people who are dreaming of future success.”

In addition to the students’ scholarship awards, the influential educators also receive $1,000 in professional development grants.

This year’s recipients and their influential educators are listed below. Information includes:

The student’s name and hometown;

The college/university the student is attending

The name of the student’s most influential teacher/mentor, the name of the school

• Elliandra Christina Morales, Hobart

Anderson University

Alaina Kent, Indiana Connections Academy

• Abbie Suiter, Elkhart

Bethel University

Deborah Yoder, Elkhart Christian Academy

• Brianna Copenhaver, Greenwood

Butler University

Stephen Blackburn, Promise Road Elementary School

• AnnaMaria Hernandez, Whiting

Calumet College of St. Joseph

Wendy Akers, Area Career Center

• Jeremy Espinoza, Elkhart

DePauw University

Elise Maller, Weisser Park School

• Diana Santiago-Cruz, Richmond

Earlham College

Tre Ronne, Richmond High School

• Darian Porter, Evansville

Franklin College

Knetra Shaw, Lincoln School

• Bryan A. Moreno, Goshen

Goshen College

Matthew P. James, Goshen High School

• DaZhané Jones, Indianapolis

Grace College

Alicia Hervey, The PATH School

• Mya Urba, Westfield

Hanover College

Jason Bousman, Westfield High School

• Julian Garcilazo, South Bend

Holy Cross College

Andrea Smolinski, Saint Joseph High School

• Olivia Grace Markley, Markle

Huntington University

Mark Buzzard, Huntington North High School

• Jaelyn Fox, Churubusco

Indiana Institute of Technology

Jordan Turner, Churubusco Jr/Sr High School

• Jaileen Diaz, Portage

Indiana Wesleyan University

Trinitie Braner, Portage High School

• Valeria Jimenez, Akron

Manchester University

Kristopher Walker, Tippecanoe Valley High School

• Luis Oviedo, Indianapolis

Marian University

Jason Hendrickson, North Central High School

• Khloye V. Strickland, Mackey

Oakland City University

Gary Horrall, Waldo J. Wood Memorial High School

• Courtney Valmore, Indianapolis

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Jillian Paulen, Herron High School

• Isabell Coryea, Plainfield

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Share Abrell, Plainfield High School

• Hannah Stewart, Westville

Saint Mary’s College

Bobbi Hall, Westchester Intermediate School

• Kelsey Denison, Fort Wayne

Taylor University

Jennifer Knarr, Blackhawk Middle School

• Kristen Azzue, Waterloo

Trine University

Susan Zuber, DeKalb High School (retired)

• Jenna Littlejohn, Linton

University of Evansville

Bridget Lester, The Indiana Academy for Science

• Mariana Fletes-Cuevas, Shelbyville

University of Indianapolis

Jennifer Teague, Shelbyville Central Schools

• Gavin Wade Ealey, Fort Wayne

University of Notre Dame

Alicia Baumgartner, Bishop Luers High School

• Elma Cehic, Fort Wayne

University of Saint Francis

Greg Novak, Canterbury School

• Fatima Garcia, Portage

Valparaiso University

James Asbury, Portage High School

• Richard Pan, Crawfordsville

Wabash College

Anita Harris, Mollie B. Hoover Elementary

About Independent Colleges of Indiana

Independent Colleges of Indiana serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, non-profit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.