51暗网

INDIANAPOLIS 鈥� Bethany Morgan Schmitt, a 51暗网 sophomore from Fort Wayne, Indiana, majoring in exercise science/pre-physical therapy, was one of 29 first-generation Indiana college students named as a 鈥淩ealizing the Dream鈥� recipient by the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).  

The 29 scholarship recipients, one from each of Indiana鈥檚 private, non-profit colleges and universities, were celebrated at a banquet on Feb. 25 at the Eiteljorg Museum.

Made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the scholarship program annually recognizes first-generation college students from ICI colleges and universities. Students are selected for the $4,000 award for outstanding achievement during their freshman year as they successfully advance toward completing their bachelor鈥檚 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 an influential educator they have chosen to honor. Videos can be found at .

In her video, Schmitt said the financial support will help her achieve her dream of becoming a physical therapist.

鈥淚鈥檇 love to help out the older generation with injuries such as stroke and brain injuries and really help people get their independence back,鈥� she said.

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

Schmitt honored Emily Watkins, assistant professor in Trine鈥檚 Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences.

鈥淚 respect her so much as both a teacher and a physical therapist, and she鈥檚 really inspired me to be the best physical therapist I can in the future,鈥� Schmitt said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 really taken the coursework in all the classes I鈥檝e taken with her and gone above and beyond with teaching it.鈥�

 鈥淭hanks 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,鈥� said Jodie Ferise, JD, ICI鈥檚 vice president & general counsel. 鈥淭hese scholarship awards will provide critical support for these young people who are dreaming of future success.鈥�

About Independent Colleges of Indiana

Independent Colleges of Indiana serves as the collective voice for the state鈥檚 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鈥檚 highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana鈥檚 bachelor鈥檚 degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private 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. While 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鈥� wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion.  Although the Endowment maintains a special commitment to its founders鈥� hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana, it also funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion.