Ottawa, Kan. (Sep. 2, 2022) – Ottawa University is proud to announce that they are the recipient of one of the American Eagle Outfitter Future Together Grants. This grant will provide $10,000 to Ottawa University to aid in the Technology Club’s goals for equipment, and encouraging other young people to get involved in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) programs. This grant is one of 20 Future Together grants awarded this fall.
Isidora Hrnjak, the Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kan., Tech Club President was responsible for the initial application and was also selected to be an AE Ambassador. Dayana Raygoza was added as an Ambassador to represent the Tech Club partnership with the Ottawa University, Surprise, Ariz., community.
Hrnjak, a senior from Serbia who is on the Braves tennis team, was thrilled to get involved and ecstatic to be selected. “This is such a great opportunity for our Club and University to not only get additional equipment, but to travel to OU’s residential campus in Surprise and show off our skills to engage younger students,” she said.
The science and technology equipment will be displayed at the City of Surprise SciTech Festival in December of 2022. The grant also provides the travel funds for the more established club in Ottawa to send members to help the developing club in Surprise. Both clubs hope to encourage more young people to seek STEAM programs for their ultimate education and career choice.
Raygoza, a junior from Las Vegas, Nev., and a beach and indoor Spirit volleyball player, is also excited to be selected as an Ambassador to highlight the STEAM field both in Arizona and online through the promotional opportunities. “I am glad to represent Ottawa University while highlighting STEAM fields at the SciTech event.” She also looks forward to helping her Tech Club grow and evolve, building on the knowledge the Kansas club already has. Sharing these resources is an ideal opportunity for all the students at OU and builds on the creativity they are known for as Tech Clubs. The SciTech event was already in planning, so the clubs felt it would be a great place to showcase club efforts and engage many area high school students.
Since its inception in 1865, Ottawa University has sought to live out its mission in direct ways. It began with the collaboration between two American Baptist missionaries, Jotham and Eleanor Meeker, and the Ottawa Indians of Kansas to promote education and peace in a changing world. Out of this relationship, Ottawa University was born. Ever mindful of its original commitments, Ottawa University is now a comprehensive, not-for-profit, educational institution, which serves students of traditional age and adult learners worldwide. Grounded by its mission, Ottawa University carries out its educational purposes through its liberal arts and professional studies programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Ottawa University guides learners to integrate faith, learning, and life, to gain the abilities they need to succeed and prosper, and to do so with an increased sense of the knowledge, compassion, respect, and service our world requires.
American Eagle Outfitters® (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices under its American Eagle® and Aerie® brands. We are an inclusive, optimistic and empowering company that celebrates the individuality of our customers and associates. Our purpose is to show the world that there’s REAL power in the optimism of youth. The Future Together campaign hopes to create positive change in the community and Ottawa University know it will be successful in that endeavor as it relates to Ottawa Kansas and Surprise Arizona.