News & Events

Home News & Events

UNI Holds Reception to Recognize Bright Scholars

UNI Holds Reception to Recognize Bright Scholars

On November 30, 2017, the University of Northern Iowa held its annual dinner reception in the Slife Ballroom/Commons to honor the school’s Bright Scholars. New recipients were presented with their Bright Scholars of Iowa medallion and a Bright Story book. The scholars recognized at the event included:

2017

Alek Boeding
Lauryn Brewelow
Bobbie Hilmer
Hailey Huggins
Dalton Tonne

2016

Rasmira Bajramovic
Alexandria Bibbs
Amanda Dedrick
Kourtney Ende-Braun
Timothy Frandsen
Tanner Moran
Natalie Neuzil
Sean Riley
Ela Rizvanovic
Cole Schreiber
Trevor Wangsness
Kade Williams

2015

Leziga Barikor
Deon Cleveland
Jesssica Ewart
Thao Luong
Toby Mason
Dalena Nguyen
Natasha Peterson
Charles Terry
Holly Von Ehwegan
Athena Walton
Hunter Washburn

2014

Anthony Beyerink

Dana Counsell
Emily Glawe
Dianna Huisman
Omar Martinez
Bobbi McGinnis
Coved Oswald
Shelby Yates
Zachary Youmans

The event included remarks by:

Nicole Lehman – Assistant Director, Financial Aid and Scholarships
Mark Nook – UNI President
Hunter Washburn – 2015 Bright Scholar Recipient
Tom Press – Board Member, Bright Foundation
Meredith Dohmen – Director of Scholarships, Bright Foundation

“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.”

“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!”

“I would like to thank you for your contribution. Without your help, it would be difficult to attend college and pursue my dream career of being a veterinarian. I am extremely honored and hope to give back to foundations like this one day.”

“I want to personally thank the Bright Foundation for this year. I would not be nearly as successful without their financial support. I come from an incredibly humble background and the financial stability they have given me in the form of this scholarship has allowed me to commit my highest potential to my classwork. They are the reason I am the student I am today. I have tried to carry the Bright Foundation’s values close to my heart this academic year. I worked extremely hard and devoted much of my outside time to volunteer work. I cannot put into works how grateful I am for the opportunities this foundation has given me. They have laid the groundwork for all of my current and future success. I plan to celebrate these values, and this foundation for the rest of my life.”

“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.”

“This is a great community of scholarship recipients to be part of. The scholarship has improved my life in so many ways – not only by allowing me to graduate debt-free in just eight semesters, but also by providing a support system and a network of other Bright Scholars.”