FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2016

CONTACT:
McKenna Young
484-385-2913 (office)
[email protected]

Gretchen Kirshmann
402-554-9600
[email protected]

50 Outstanding Students from Nebraska and Western Iowa
Awarded 2016 AKSARBEN Horatio Alger State Scholarship 

Horatio Alger Association, in partnership with the AKSARBEN Foundation, recognizes young men and women in Nebraska and western Iowa who have demonstrated exceptional perseverance and a commitment to education

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 21, 2016) – Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, today announced the 50 recipients from Nebraska and western Iowa of its prestigious 2016 AKSARBEN Horatio Alger State Scholarship, funded through the generosity of the AKSARBEN Foundation. These students are recognized for their admirable commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities, despite facing significant personal adversities.

Collectively, the 2016 AKSARBEN Horatio Alger State Scholarship recipients have maintained an average GPA of 3.7 and an average ACT score of 23 (out of 36), while coming from households with an average annual income of $19,376. Through this special scholarship program, each recipient is awarded $6,000, paid over four years, to apply toward the tuition of the college or university of his or her choice. Additionally, State Scholars will have access to a variety of resources including college preparatory support, guidance and crisis counselors as well as mentoring programs.

“Each year I’m so impressed by the caliber of students who apply for and receive AKSARBEN Horatio Alger State Scholarships,” said Byron Trott, president and CEO of Horatio Alger Association. “This year’s recipients of the AKSARBEN Horatio Alger State Scholarship are an exceptional group of intelligent, hard-working students who are driven to succeed, despite numerous obstacles in their path.  My fellow Members and I are immensely proud to partner with AKSARBEN Foundation to support these remarkable young men and women from Nebraska and western Iowa.”

AKSARBEN Foundation President Jon Burt stated, “The members of the Knights of AKSARBEN and AKSARBEN Foundation are proud to sponsor the AKSARBEN Horatio Alger State Scholarship awards for Nebraska and western Iowa. By opening the doors of opportunity and hope to students in need, we are building the leaders of tomorrow and ensuring prosperity in the Heartland for generations to come.”

“It is our honor to raise critical scholarship funding for these students through the AKSARBEN Coronation & Scholarship Ball hosted each fall,” Stephanie Murphy, chairman of the Women’s Ball Committee, said. “Congratulations to these talented students as they begin their college careers.  We are proud to be a part of their support team through these scholarships.”

AKSARBEN Foundation is the premier business leadership network in Nebraska and western Iowa.  Since 1895 AKSARBEN has leveraged collective business leadership to build a more prosperous Heartland by funding and guiding best practice, needs-based scholarship programs, awarding nearly $1 million annually; promoting the Heartland’s cultural heritage through top-ranking community celebrations, attended by more than 100,000 annually; and honoring community leaders who carry on the Heartland’s tradition of philanthropy and volunteerism.

Horatio Alger Association was founded in 1947, and since 1984, it has administered one of the nation’s largest privately-funded, need-based scholarship programs. Since its founding, the Association has awarded more than $125 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships to students from across the United States, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada. In 2000, 16 years after the establishment of its National Scholarship Program, Horatio Alger Members also began funding scholarships concentrated in each state, as well as specialized scholarships, to further its mission of helping deserving young people pursue their collegiate goals.

For a complete list of the 2016 AKSARBEN Horatio Alger State Scholars, please click here.

For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its 2016 Scholars, please visit www.horatioalger.org. To engage on social media, please follow Horatio Alger Association on Twitter (@HoratioAlgerUS) and “Like” the organization on Facebook (Facebook.com/HoratioAlgerUS ).

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About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:

Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, the Association awards more than $11 million annually in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships across the United States and Canada and provides college support and mentoring services to its Scholars. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $125 million in college scholarships to more than 22,000 deserving young people. For more information, please visitwww.horatioalger.org.

About the AKSARBEN Foundation:

Established in 1895, AKSARBEN Foundation represents the premier employers in Nebraska and western Iowa. AKSARBEN Foundation works as a unified network to influence change for the betterment of youth, the economy and Heartland communities.  We advance our mission to leverage collective business leadership to build a more prosperous Heartland by funding and guiding best practice, needs-based scholarship programs, awarding nearly $1 million annually; promoting the Heartland’s cultural heritage through top-ranking community celebrations, attended by over 100,000 annually; and honoring community leaders who carry on the Heartland’s tradition of philanthropy and volunteerism.  For more information, please visit www.aksarben.org.