Previous Scholarship Recipients
Each year, the Capital Area Iowa Club donates money earned from our fundraising to the UIAA to match in a scholarship to a DC area student. These are the past recipients.
Austin Knott
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I am a Sociology Major on the Family, Health, and Well Being track as well as a Social Work Interest, so I hoping to be accepted in to the program. I have a minor in Human Relations and a certificate in Critical Cultural Competency.
My father, Brad Knott, grew up in Carroll, IA and went to Iowa for his undergrad. Initially I told my dad that I would not go here because this was his school and I wanted to forge my own path. However, once visiting the campus, I fell in love. The campus was a perfect mix of college and town, I loved that I could walk everywhere and did not have to rely on a bus. I loved how liberal and eclectic this city was and how open it was different and new people. I also absolutely fell in love with the kind hearted people here. At first when people were so nice to me I was confused and wondered what they wanted from me, but I soon came to realize that the people here were just genuinely nice. Unfortunately I was denied admission to the University of Maryland College Park even though I had a 4.1 GPA and over 250 hours of community service and attended one of the best high schools in the nation, Bethesda Chevy Chase High School. That was the only school I got denied from, I never thought that would actually happen but looking back I am so happy it did! Once I got my acceptance letters back, it was between Iowa and Indiana, I was still hesitant about Iowa just because it was very far from home and I knew no one there. However, I remembered my visit at Iowa and remembered how at home I felt. I could see myself walking through the campus even in the cold winters that happen here. What also helped sweeten the deal was I got scholarships based on my merit and my grandparents still live in Carroll and an aunt in Waukee so I felt that if anything were to happen, someone could be there in a matter of two hours. On a side note, I am part of Alpha Delta Pi sorority here on campus and previously served as the Public Relations and Marketing Chair. I currently am a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters and volunteer weekly with my "little sister". Winter break 2014-2015, I went to India with the School of Social and volunteered with rural community children and taught them English, I was there for three weeks and it changed my life. This past winter break I went to Puntarenas Costa Rica and studied marine biology with students from all over the world for 3 weeks and took classes every day for 4 hours each day. Both of these experiences would not have been possible if I did not go to Iowa. The India program was actually just recognized as one of the best overseas programs in the nation. I definitely have plans to come back East! As much as I love it in Iowa, I need a big city. After I graduate in 2017 (spring), I plan to go straight into graduate school for social work. At this current moment I do not have any specific schools in mind, I just know likely something back East or in the Chicago area. My career aspiration is to become a therapist for teenagers specifically struggling with mental disorders like depression, anxiety and eating disorders. I am open to coming back to the DC area because it will always have my heart and I think there are always openings there for social workers or therapists! I miss the fast paced life that I learned to love and live so dearly. I am so appreciative of the scholarship that I was awarded, words cannot describe how much this means to not only me, but my family. This is the least I could do to show my thanks to all those who have donated. I plan to make you all proud with my education and future career. Again, I cannot thank you all enough for this opportunity to show you all what I am capable of. I will surely not disappoint! Thanks so much and go hawks! |
Eric Rierson
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My name is Eric Rierson and I would like to thank you very much for the generous scholarship that you and the University of Iowa Alumni Association provided me for the upcoming Spring 2015 semester. I am still on track to major in Saxophone performance and Mathematics as I intended when I first entered the University. The progress that I have made with both my saxophone playing and progress with my math degree is encouraging to me. I plan to have a recital in the upcoming semester and I am working hard to make sure it is an enjoyable program.
I am enjoying and appreciating all of my time at the University of Iowa. This past semester, Fall 2014, has been the hardest yet but I managed to do quite well. I have settled in to living in m own apartment this year rather than the dorms and I am beginning to understand what it's like to live on my own with the responsibilities that follow. The financial aspect of attending college nowadays is quite the burden and everything that goes towards the expenses is an enormous help. Again I would just like to thank you and the University of Iowa Alumni Association soo much for selecting me for the Alumni Association Scholarship. |
Charles Okpala
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