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Southwestern Community College Honors Donors and Scholars

Southwestern Community College recently hosted its annual donor-scholar dinner and recognized the 2018 recipients of the Bright Scholars of Iowa award, including:

Katelyn Belding
Hannah Pollard

Meredith Dohmen, Bright Foundation’s Director of Scholarships, spoke briefly and presented the newest Bright Scholars with their medallions. Tom Press, Board President and Managing Director of the Bright Foundation, also attended the event.

“With each passing semester I become even more thankful for this scholarship. My college experience has been phenomenal and this scholarship deserves all the credit. You have allowed to me the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy receiving my education at the University of Iowa. I am thankful to be a Bright Scholar of Iowa. Thank you so much for the college experience you have let me have through this scholarship.”

“I am and always will be eternally grateful for what you have done for me and what you’ve done for others. It’s truly amazing how two special people, Lois and Dale Bright, could be so generous in helping others out. I truly aspire to be like them, giving out of generosity and expecting nothing in return. As college rolls on, I get more and more excited to become a teacher of mathematics, not just to teach young adults math, but also to challenge and aspire them to be better people. Without your help though, I am not sure any of that would be possible. For that, I am truly thankful. For now though, I will continue on in college, doing the best I possibly can do and doing my best to represent the Bright Foundation well. Thank you for all you do again, and God Bless.”

“Being a Bright Scholar means being part of a family that is selfless and giving, and which strives to provide a better future for today’s youth who, in turn, will contribute to society.”

“My first year in college has been amazing. I was able to get involved with intramural sports, Iowa Wishmakers and Dance Marathon because you took the financial burden off my back and allowed for me to get the most out of my college experience. I’ve been able to focus on school and not worry about working which has allowed me to get the most out of my education. I was also able to fulfill one of my dreams before going to college; I was able to pay for a child’s Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World with my graduation money because of your generosity and covering the expenses of my education. This first year has been great and I cannot wait for the next three years. Thank you Bright Scholars of Iowa!”

“The most valuable part of being a Bright Scholar was experiencing college from a different perspective. I am so grateful for every opportunity and position I was able to hold because I had nothing to worry about and could truly enjoy every moment. Having the freedom to get involved allowed me to further my professional development and give back to the college and community, things I would not have been able to do if I didn’t have the scholarship.”

“During college, the Bright Scholarship allowed me to focus on school instead of working multiple jobs to stay afloat. In my three years since college, the same has been true – instead of being forced to worry about accepting any job just to pay my student loans, I’ve been able to chase (and land) my dream job!”