Purdue Global honors 22 students with First-Generation College Student Scholarships

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Like many Purdue Global students, Bradley Kars has overcome numerous obstacles in his pursuit of a college education. This includes a financial burden that just got a little lighter.

Kars is one of 22 Purdue Global students who were honored Wednesday — First-Generation College Student Day — with First-Generation College Student Scholarships. Recipients received $500 toward their Purdue Global tuition and fees. The number of recipients is based on the funds raised annually through the Purdue for Life Foundation ($11,000 this year).

“This scholarship means more to me than words can express,” Kars said. “As a first-generation college student, the journey has been filled with a unique set of challenges. The financial burden of pursuing higher education can be daunting, but this scholarship provides not only financial support but also a tremendous boost in motivation and confidence. It reminds me that I’m on the right path and that all the hard work and dedication are paying off.”

Kars, from Deltona, Florida, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity with a focus on game development.

“I vividly remember the countless hours of late-night studying, working full-time jobs to support my education and striving to maintain a balance between academics, family and personal life,” Kars said. “This scholarship has lightened the financial burden and made a significant impact on my education.”

The scholarship recipients and their majors:

• Cristian Ahedo, Cicero, Illinois, BS health care administration
• Yousra Ahmad, Orlando, Florida, BS criminal justice — forensic psychology
• Juveria Ali, Munster, Indiana, BS cybersecurity
• Titilayo Amuwo, St. Albans, New York, BS cloud computing and solutions
• Samantha Brandt, Palestine, Texas, BS criminal justice — crime scene investigation
• Veonca Budell, Billings, Montana, BS legal support and services — paralegal
• Brittany Camponelli, New Boston, Michigan, AAS accounting
• Diahman Clonts, Bonner, Montana, BS accounting — auditing/forensic accountability
• Paige Cook, Veedersburg, Indiana, BS psychology
• Rachel Corwin, Sparta, Michigan, BS nutrition — holistic nutrition
• Eric Darko, Aurora, Colorado, BS business administration — project management
• Jimmy Davis, Pearland, Texas, BS environmental policy and management
• Victoria English, Battle Creek, Michigan, BS business administration
• Kevin Ferger, Lafayette, Indiana, BS organizational management — leadership
• Rosalyn Flower, Buckeye, Arizona, AAS legal support and services
• Richard Foltz, Manassas Park, Virginia, BS cybersecurity
• Alexi Fries, St. Charles, Illinois, BS business administration — management
• Chelsea Germaine, Peru, New York, BS criminal justice — crime scene investigation
• Caity Grady, Soldotna, Arkansas, BS health science
• Ryan Kackley, Columbus, Ohio, BS information technology — IT management
• Bradley Kars, Deltona, Florida, BS cybersecurity — game development
• Alicia Romo, Hammond, Indiana, BS human services — child and family welfare

“A foundational part of our mission at Purdue Global is to provide promising students of all kinds with opportunities, and this of course includes first-generation scholars,” Purdue Global Chancellor Frank Dooley said. “I’m proud to see the number of recipients increased from 16 last year, which was the first for this program, to 22. We said last year was just a start, and I’ll say it again this year — we will continue working hard to identify ways we can support our first-generation students. Congratulations to all of them.”

First-Generation College Student Scholarships are open to Purdue Global students who have completed three terms of an eligible undergraduate associate or bachelor’s degree program at Purdue Global with a 3.5 or higher cumulative grade-point average. Candidates must meet Purdue Global standards for satisfactory academic progress, as outlined in the university catalog, and have no Code of Student Conduct violations. 

In addition, applicants must submit a 500-word essay answering the following questions: What motivated you to pursue a college education? What advice would you give a student who is experiencing an obstacle or challenge while pursuing their degree? 

First-Generation College Student Day has been celebrated nationally since 2017, when it was selected by the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Center for First-Generation Student Success to commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

What scholarship recipients are saying: 

“This really means a lot to me as a first-generation college student. It will motivate me to keep working hard to achieve my goals.” — Titilayo Amuwo, St. Albans, New York

“This opportunity has helped me take a step closer to my future. This is not only a future I have planned for myself, but one I have planned for my son as well. This gives me a chance to inspire my son so that he can one day achieve anything he sets his mind to. Thank you for this opportunity to make our dream life come true!” — Paige Cook, Veedersburg, Indiana

“This scholarship will help offset the costs of going to school. I am appreciative of Purdue Global selecting me for this scholarship, and I am proud to be a member of such a respected university!” — Kevin Ferger, Lafayette, Indiana

“Receiving this scholarship means so much to me, and it serves as a steppingstone toward achieving my academic and professional goals. One of the more challenging aspects of being a first-generation student is the financial burden, but this scholarship will help alleviate some of that burden. Thank you, Purdue Global!” — Caity Grady, Soldotna, Arkansas

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/.

About the Purdue for Life Foundation

The Purdue for Life Foundation helps friends and alumni of Purdue University stay connected, get involved and give back. Created on March 11, 2020, the foundation deepens alumni ties to Purdue, drives and coordinates all alumni-related activities across the Purdue family’s postgraduation lives, and works with alumni and friends to garner support for the university. Our organization combines the alumni engagement function of the Purdue Alumni Association and the University Development Office, and it includes President’s Council, the John Purdue Club and the Office of Industry Partnerships, as well as alumni lifelong learning programs and on-campus residential opportunities. Learn more at https://purdueforlife.org/.

Writer: Aaron Martin

Media contact: Matthew Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu

Source: Frank Dooley, chancellor, Purdue Global