AU Student Receives ICI “Realizing the Dream” Award
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Anderson, Ind. — Several first-generation Indiana college students are getting a boost to their education funds this semester and are re-connecting with influential educators who helped along the way after being named “Realizing the Dream” recipients by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).
One of those recipients is Anderson University student Alice Dang ’23, who is studying mechanical engineering within the School of Science and Engineering. A proud woman in STEM, Dang has named Christy Kaufmann as an influential educator and mentor from her time at Anderson Christian School in Anderson, Indiana, as well as Dr. Caroline Baker, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at AU.
Made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the scholarship program annually recognizes 30 first-generation college students from ICI’s 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.
The program historically has honored recipients, their families, and influential educators at an annual, in-person event. However, due to the current pandemic, organizers decided to create 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. Dang’s video 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,” said ICI President and CEO David W. Wantz. “Especially during these challenging times, 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 will also receive $1,000 in professional development grants.
“This scholarship has helped me so much,” said Dang. “It’s guaranteed me the resources I need in order to further my college career, and I just want to say a special thank you to all the people who have helped me get where I am today, including my AU professors, who have always taken the time to help and care for me.”
This year’s full list of recipients and their influential educators can be found here.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.
Independent Colleges of Indiana serves as the collective voice for the state’s 30 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.
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.