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NIACC recognizes 2013-14 scholarship recipients and donors

Photo caption: (Left to Right) Robin Edgar of Mason City,(Scholarship Donor), James Keane (Hometown: New Hampton, IA), Grace Olmstead(Hometown: Waterloo, IA),  Valerie Bergman (Hometown:  Clear Lake, IA),  JT Rottinghaus (Hometown: Mason City, IA), and Dr. David Buettner (NIACC President)
Photo caption: (Left to Right) Robin Edgar of Mason City,(Scholarship Donor), James Keane (Hometown: New Hampton, IA), Grace Olmstead(Hometown: Waterloo, IA), Valerie Bergman (Hometown: Clear Lake, IA), JT Rottinghaus (Hometown: Mason City, IA), and Dr. David Buettner (NIACC President)

MASON CITY – Students at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) who received scholarships this year had an opportunity to show their gratitude during the 10th annual student Scholarship Recognition Luncheon held at the Muse Norris Conference Center on Monday, October 7, 2013.

“This is an important tradition that allows scholarship recipients the opportunity to personally thank the donors who made the scholarships possible,” said Dr. David Buettner, NIACC interim President. “Each student has a unique story to tell and this year’s student speakers shared their own amazing stories.” It was also noted that 564 students received scholarships from NIACC last year totaling more than $800,000.

The recognition program featured comments from Robin Edgar a scholarship donor from Mason City. Edgar shared, “Over the years I have had many mentors in my life, many of them started with my NIACC instructors. I was encouraged to get my BA degree after graduating from NIACC. As I gained knowledge and skills in the workplace I got my securities license. My husband Mike and I made the decision to donate a scholarship through the NIACC Foundation for many reasons. I am sure most of us have had family members that have benefited from this program, you might be an employer that has had employees benefit from getting their degree and impacting the work they do for you, your children, grandchildren and parents might also be on the list of recipients from a donation made by someone long ago. I think about that as I offer my donation each year and I am pleased to know that I am providing a small token of appreciation to that donor that helped me so many years ago by being a donor myself.”

Several student scholarship recipients also spoke at NIACC’s scholarship recognition luncheon.

James Keane is a second year student at NIACC majoring in elementary education with dreams of being a teacher. Keane received the George Coyan Memorial Scholarship and the Alma Partridge Education Scholarship. Keane, a native of Australia says, “The scholarships got me over the hurdle of economic doubt which would otherwise have ended my dream of becoming a school teacher. I was presented a piece to the puzzle of my life; a piece which I thought had been lost long ago. For that I owe a lifetime of gratitude. I know that I would not be attending school if it weren’t for these scholarships.”

Keane shared, “This college endeavor, though wrought with a thorough capability to overwhelm, has invigorated me, I realize now after the second year, I will be a teacher. Maybe in the years to come my children might even see my name on the plaque honoring those who’ve graduated NIACC with straight A’s.”

JT Rottinghaus, of Mason City, was this year’s recipient of the Bertha Stebens Instrumental Music Scholarship and the NIACC Trustee’s Scholarship. He shared with the crowd what receiving this scholarship has done for him.

“This scholarship has allowed me attend college more affordably,” he said. “Even if it’s a community college it is still expensive and hard to get through classes if you have to work all the time. This scholarship has allowed me to attend more classes and to buy the necessary items for class. Having a little extra money from a scholarship lets you study longer for a test and not work 20 hours a week. I have been able to enjoy all of my learning opportunities academically and in extracurricular programs.”

After Valerie Bergman had a really bad day at work as a CNA, she decided she did not want to make any more excuses. “I had worked as a CNA since the age of 16 and always had the desire to learn about computers and the way technology has changed everything in the world. I was at the point in my life that I wanted a change,” said Bergman.

What was different for Val was that going back to school meant she would need to find some assistance to allow her to go to school, keep her household running and most importantly being there for her family. Bergman received the NIACC IT Scholarship. “When I learned that I had been chosen to receive this scholarship I was thrilled! It was an amazing feeling knowing that my hard work had not gone unnoticed! This scholarship has made a huge difference in my life. If it wasn’t for scholarship donors, some of us wouldn’t have the chance to go back to school.”

Receiving the Harriet Klath & Carol Klath Schmiedeskamp Scholarship has allowed Grace Olmstead to attend NIACC to earn a criminal justice degree and play volleyball for NIACC. “Being able to represent NIACC’s volleyball team has been an honor for me. Without my scholarship I would not have been able to successfully balance all that I do,” said Olmstead, a freshman at NIACC.

“My father always told me that when someone does something nice for you, directly or indirectly, you need to say two simple words, thank you and I sincerely say thank you to each of you who have made a difference in the lives of the students in this room,” Olmstead said.

As the cost of higher education continues to increase, so does the need for student financial assistance in the forms of loans, grants and scholarships. Scholarship donations help students keep their borrowing to a minimum. While the College experiences great support from groups and individuals each year, the need remains for private support of the NIACC Foundation.

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