What Your Scholarship Support Means to Me…

by | May 27, 2020 | Philanthropy.

In the Words of Otterbein Students

Each spring, Otterbein brings together our generous scholarship donors with the students they support. While safeguards required the cancellation of this year’s scholarship luncheon, Otterbein scholars were eager to share their gratitude in writing. We are sharing a selection of those letters here.

Otterbein celebrates those who give — and those whose lives are changed — now and for the future.

Da’Viona Fowler ’22
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Major: Public Relations and Health Communications
Scholarship: Kaitlin Steinour ’15 Communications Endowed Scholarship

When I was applying to go school, I was always afraid that I would not be able to go to college to pursue my career. Receiving this scholarship has helped me tremendously and I do not have to worry about how I am going to pay for school. I am in PRSSA and have visited places like L Brands and The Blue Jackets arena to see how public relations works behind the scenes. I have an internship in the Office of Marketing and Communications at Otterbein and they are helping me so much with getting real world experience. By doing this I can build up my resume, so I can reach my goal to work for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. I am very thankful for this scholarship and without it I probably wouldn’t be here at Otterbein University. Thank you so much for this scholarship!

Allison Caudill ’21
Hometown: New Albany, Ohio
Major: Nurse Anesthesia
Scholarship: David L. Davis Nurse Anesthetist Scholarship

When I got accepted into the nurse anesthesia program at Otterbein, I did what any good graduate student would do to prepare: I paid off all outstanding debts, made a budget and saved like crazy. Unfortunately, life can be full of curve balls that can make a joke of best laid plans. After getting accepted to the program, a family member fell ill which added extra responsibilities onto my plate. The emergency funds I had saved were spent in only a few months after moving my parent in with me and I wasn’t sure how we were going to make it work. Getting awarded your scholarship money came just in time and went so much further than just my tuition or school supplies, as it also gave me a little bit of stress relief in such a chaotic time. Thank you for setting up the scholarship fund and for helping me be a successful student, as well as a good daughter.

Fernanda de la Fuente ’22
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Major: Mathematics
Scholarship: Norris Scholarship Fund

I would like to thank you for your generosity in your donations. I am very honored to have this scholarship opportunity. I will be graduating early — this would not have been possible without you. You have made it affordable for my parents and me, and I can’t stress enough how thankful we are. This semester I was able to pay for college without the help of my parents which is important for me because they can focus on my sister’s tuition; she is in her first year at college and her expenses are higher than mine. The fact that I can relieve my parents of the stress of my own tuition makes me happy. I am motivated to do my best here at Otterbein and I hope to not disappoint my family and you, my donors.

Hannah Wright ’19
Hometown: Grove City, Ohio
Major: Public Relations and Health Communication
Scholarship: Kaitlin Steinour ’15 Communications Endowed Scholarship

I was one of the first recipients of the Kaitlin Steinour ’15 Communications Endowed Scholarship last year. Your scholarship impacted my journey in many different ways. I will start off by saying college probably wouldn’t have been possible for me without assistance, so I want to say that I am beyond thankful. This scholarship was part of my great Otterbein journey, a journey that made me who I am today: a professional marketer, with so much to look forward to. I graduated in spring 2019 and am a digital marketing specialist at a marketing and communication agency in Columbus. I am beyond passionate about healthcare and being able to make a difference for a patient or family. Thank you for making these dreams possible!

Kaeris Cicchino ’22
Hometown: Westerville, Ohio
Major: Business Administration
Scholarship: Michael-LeMay Scholarship

I am a business administration and management major with a French and marketing minor. This is my second year at Otterbein and it has been nothing short of amazing. After this semester I will have completed three internships, so I’ve gotten a lot of real-world experience. My goal while being here is getting the most out of every opportunity. I plan to study abroad in France in spring 2021, something I could never dream of if it wasn’t for Otterbein. I fell in love with Otterbein and all that it offered me when I visited as a high school junior, but I never thought I could afford it or get in. Because of generous people like you, I got a chance to show Otterbein why I was right for them. Thank you for giving me a chance to better my future as a woman in business, and the chance to get an education and make an impact on the world. Thank you for the contribution you’ve made on my life.

Nicholas Hassinger ’20
Hometown: Wadsworth, Ohio
Major: Accounting
Scholarship: Michael-LeMay Scholarship

Thank you so much for the opportunity you have provided for me. Otterbein was my dream school as soon as I was on the campus. I plan to return next year to finish my MBA and complete my CPA exams. I started the Wealth Management Club on campus to help teach students personal finance and network with people in the business field. I was also treasurer of Alpha Sigma Phi. During the summer and winter breaks, I have interned in the tax department of multiple companies. Without the help of the Michael and LeMay families, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish all of this. I wanted you to know I appreciate your support and have made sure it has gone to good use.

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