Ottawa University

Multiple Scholarships Awarded at Ottawa University

OTTAWA, Kansas - Ottawa University is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2007 Presidential Scholarship and the Fujiwara Scholarship.

OU Presidential Scholarships for 2007 have been awarded to Cassondra Ingram of Springfield, Missouri; Dorvonda Payne of St. Louis, Missouri; and German Madera of Denver, Colorado.   Ingram's major interest is elementary education, Payne is undecided, and Madera's major interest is biology.  As presidential scholars, each of these students will receive full tuition, as well as other benefits and honors, during their four-year educational career.  During that time, they will be required to continue their academic and leadership excellence.  The students qualified for the scholarships by holding a 3.5 cumulative high school GPA, scoring 25 (or equivalent) on the national ACT test, and ranking in the upper one third of their high school class.  The evaluation process also included a review of their academic, co-curricular, volunteer, and employment history, as well as a written essay and an interview with a panel of faculty and administrators. Ingram, Payne and Madera were chosen from among  20 students competing for the three scholarships. 

Ashley Ford is a past recipient of the Presidential Scholarship and understands its value to prospective students.  "Originally I wanted to come to OU because I knew it would be a place to be challenged in many different aspects of my life, academically and spiritually," said Ashley.  "Receiving the Presidential Scholarship was important to me because it gave me a chance to come to my choice school, which otherwise might not have been financially possible."

Another scholarship, the 2007 Fujiwara Scholarship, has been awarded to Freshman Cecil Elliott from Garnett, Kansas, and provides for the Fujiwara Cross-Cultural Homestay Program in Japan during the summer of 2007. The scholarship is made possible through the generous support of OU alumni Kodo and Machiko Fujiwara.  During the Homestay Program, Elliott will receive room and board for a two week stay in Japan.  "We certainly appreciate the generosity of the Fujiwaras for providing this unique cross-cultural opportunity," said Murle Mordy, chair of the Fujiwara Scholarship Committee.  "Cecil will definitely benefit from this enriching experience."

Upon his return, he will be required to submit a written report of his experience, as well as make a chapel presentation next fall.  To assist Elliott with travel expenses, he has also been awarded approximately $400 from the Jerry Campbell Cross-Cultural Fund, a fund established in memory of alumnus Jerry Campbell by his mother in 1971.  Elliott will be officially presented with the scholarship during the Spring Honors Convocation at 11:00 a.m. on April 19, 2007, in the OU Chapel. 

Founded in 1865, Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA. Ottawa University's educational mission brings together a residential campus in Ottawa, Kansas, and adult campuses in Kansas City, Missouri; Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe, Arizona; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Jeffersonville, Indiana; as well as multiple international instructional sites.  For more information, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/.

# # #