Southeast Academic Support Centers Students Earn Prestigious Scholarships

Southeast Missouri State University students recently were recognized for receiving prestigious scholarships at the Academic Support Centers Deans List and Scholarship Luncheon in the University Center.Sixteen students received Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarships. The Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship is named in honor of Allan Walker Purdy. It provides scholarships to students who demonstrate academic merit, strong leadership potential, excellent character and financial need. Additionally, these students have vision, are eager to make contributions to the world and have the work ethic to bring their dreams to fruition. Recipients are:

• Angela Backer, a senior exceptional child education major, from St. Louis, Missouri
• Makayla Bates, a sophomore criminal justice major with minors in sociology and criminology, from Cuba, Missouri
• Breiona Catching, a senior double major in microbiology and medical laboratory sciences, from St. Louis
• Jasmine Cooper, a sophomore elementary education major, from St. Louis
• Dominick Gillette, a sophomore corporate communication major with minors in entrepreneurship and integrated marketing communications, from St. Ann, Missouri
• Khalil Joiner, a sophomore athletic training major, from St. Louis
• Jasmine Jones, a junior criminal justice major with minors in political science and communication studies, from Florissant, Missouri
• Jamila Loving, a business administration major with a minor in dance, from Black Jack, Missouri
• Xavier Payne, a sophomore athletic training major, from Chesterfield, Missouri
• Sydney Rodgers, a junior mass communication major, public relations option, with a minor in Spanish, from St. Louis
• Megan Saylor, a sophomore communication disorders major, from Cape Girardeau, Missouri
• Chamaya Steward-Moore, a sophomore nursing major, from St. Louis
• Ashleigh Taylor, a junior global culture and languages major, global studies option, with a minor in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), from St. Louis
• Avery Turner, a junior human environmental studies major, fashion merchandising option, with a minor in French, from Troy, Missouri.
• Kyndall Volkerding, a sophomore nursing major, from Jackson, Missouri
• Chester Williams, a senior finance major, from St. Louis

In addition, the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Foundations Curls-Carter Graduate Student Scholarship was awarded to Ariel Dumars, a first-year graduate dietetics student from Cape Girardeau. The Curls-Carter Graduate Student Scholarship is named for Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Presidents, Sen. Phil Curls Sr. and Sen. Paula Carter. Its purpose is to assist African-American students, who are historically underrepresented in higher education. Only students from the state of Missouri are considered, and selection is based on academic performance, community service, leadership skills and financial need.Six Southeast students received the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Foundations DeVerne Calloway Undergraduate Scholarships. The DeVerne Calloway Undergraduate Scholarship is named for state Rep. DeVerne Calloway, the first African-American woman elected to the Missouri legislature. Its purpose is to assist African-American students, who are historically under-represented in higher education. Only Missouri students are considered, and selection is based on academic performance, community service, leadership skills and financial need. Southeast recipients are:

• Naomi Burr, a sophomore biology major in the pre-physician assistant program, from St. Louis
• Brianna Ellis, a junior mass communication major, TV and film option, with a minor in fine arts entrepreneurship, from Hayti, Missouri
• Dominick Gillette, a sophomore corporate communication major with minors in entrepreneurship and integrated marketing communications, from St. Ann, Missouri
• Xavier Payne, a sophomore athletic training major, from Chesterfield, Missouri
• Sydney Rodgers, a junior mass communication major, public relations option, with a minor in Spanish, from St. Louis
• Diamond Tyler, a sophomore health management major, health promotion option, from St. Louis

Trent Ball, assistant vice president for academic diversity and outreach, said he was informed by the Foundation and Outreach Strategies department of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, the administrator of the scholarships, that Southeast had the largest and among the strongest applicants this year.In the Academic Support Centers, we have adopted a scholarship clinic model with our students where we intentionally work with them in the spring semester of each year to discuss their funding and financial plan for the successive year, Ball said. We invite external scholarship providers to campus to meet with the students and regularly share scholarship opportunities with the students as well as assist them in preparing their submissions to the funders.With these scholarships, the recipients are able to focus on their programs and take advantage of opportunities that may not be possible otherwise.One of our students was able to return her student loans and have a debt-free year, Ball explained. Another student was able to study abroad during the 2017 spring semester.