Cedar Falls Community Foundation Awards $20,000 in Scholarships
December 12, 2017
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation has announced that four $5,000 scholarships have been awarded from the Robert Eller Study Abroad Endowment for Spring 2018 semester.
The Robert Eller Study Abroad Endowment was established by emeritus UNI Education Media Specialist Robert Eller to foster the educational, professional, and personal growth of undergraduate students at the University of Northern Iowa by providing funds to support study outside the United States for students whose previous travel and study experiences abroad have been limited. Applications are accepted by the Study Abroad Center and reviewed by a committee of University of Northern Iowa Emeritus Association members and Cedar Falls Community Foundation staff.
Applications for the scholarship are accepted through the University of Northern Iowa Study Abroad Office. Eleven applications for study abroad scholarships for Spring 2018 were received. Selected applicants were interviewed by the Robert Eller Study Abroad Scholarship Committee: David Duncan, Ronald Bro, Ed Amend, Joan Duea, and Diane Curtis. Four students were chosen, each to receive a $5,000 scholarship from the Robert Eller Study Abroad Endowment.
Recipients include:
Grace Marie Sack, a sophomore from Bettendorf, Iowa, majoring in Biology and Spanish, with a 3.74 GPA. Grace will study at the University of Oviedo in Oviedo, Spain. She is a premed student, planning a career in healthcare, and feels that immersing herself in the Spanish language during her study abroad will enable her to communicate effectively with patients in the future.
Taylor AnnMarie Hauser, a sophomore from Clear Lake, Iowa, majoring in Textiles and Apparel, with a 3.6 GPA. Taylor will study at the Florence University of Art, Florence Italy. Both she and her advisor believe this study abroad experience will be extremely beneficial to Taylor’s future career in fashion and design.
Amanda Marie Dedrick, a sophomore from Vinton, Iowa, majoring in Biology with a Spanish minor, with a 4.0 GPA. Amanda will study at the University of Oviedo in Oviedo, Spain. Her goal is to become a physician’s assistant, and she also feels that immersing herself in the Spanish language will assist her in communicating more fluently with patients in the future.
Jeanne Marie Bouchard, a junior from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, majoring in Communication Science Disorders and Spanish, with a 3.58 GPA. She will study at the University of Oviedo in Oviedo, Spain. Jeanne would like to provide speech-language therapy for bilingual children and adults in her future career, and believes that becoming more fluent in Spanish will benefit her career plans.
Cynthia Sweet, Executive Director of the Cedar Falls Community Foundation, noted, “None of these students has traveled abroad previously, an important element in Mr. Eller’s decision to establish the Study Abroad Scholarship. He wanted to give Iowa students the opportunity to travel and study abroad for all the benefits that brings to personal growth and independence. The Foundation is honored to help fulfill Mr. Eller’s legacy and assist these students with a study abroad experience. Upon their return, the students will present to the UNI Emeritus Association about their study abroad experience.”
Applications for the Robert Eller Study Abroad Scholarship are available by contacting the Study Abroad office at the University of Northern Iowa.
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation is a nationally accredited community foundation, one of only 17 accredited community foundations in Iowa. The Cedar Falls Community Foundation accepts and manages estate gifts and donations to fulfill donor wishes, assisting donors to achieve their charitable legacy. The mission of the Cedar Falls Community Foundation is to inspire and connect individuals, families and organizations to enhance our community, support non-profits, elevate educational opportunities, and build legacies through philanthropy. The Cedar Falls Community Foundation strives to be a champion of local philanthropy and a trusted, empowering partner to donors who are passionate about enriching the community of Cedar Falls. For more information about the Cedar Falls Community Foundation, please visit www.cf-communityfoundation.org or contact 319.243.9170 or cfcf@cfu.net.
