FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2016

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

Horatio Alger Association Honors Lindsay Marshall as Its 2016 Alumnus of the Year

Named a National Scholar in 1997, Marshall continues to support the Association through her ongoing volunteer efforts and involvement in the National Scholars Conference even as she pursues her PhD at the University of Illinois

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 23, 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 Lindsay Marshall, a 1997 National Scholar, as its 2016 Alumnus of the Year Award winner. Honoring an Alumnus Scholar who has previously earned an undergraduate degree as well as distinguished him/herself academically, professionally, and philanthropically, the 2016 Alumnus of the Year Award includes a $10,000 grant from the Association. This grant may be used for continuing education, previous educational loans or as a $10,000 donation to the Alumnus of the Year’s high school for scholarships in 2016.

A Nebraska native who spent her high school years in Nevada, Marshall faced family adversity throughout her youth. Self-described as a bit of a class clown, a high school English teacher took notice of her writing and encouraged both her talent and her application to Horatio Alger Association’s Scholarship Program. Named a 1997 National Scholar, Marshall began her college career at Missouri Valley College but ultimately transferred to Lewis & Clark College where she graduated in 2001. After early professional experiences in industries ranging from food service to employee benefits, Marshall decided to pursue her graduate degree in English – her passion – at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she is now teaching and working to complete her doctorate.

Invited back to the first Alumni Scholars Summit hosted by the Association in 2004, her visit to Williamsburg, VA proved transformative as she re-engaged with the organization for the first time since college. Noting the care and deep interest that Members, Life Partners and staff had in her well-being – and all of the Alumni Scholars in attendance – Marshall made the decision to become more involved. Traveling with Association Ambassador and classical musician Mario Frangoulis as an Alumni Scholar Speaker, filming Public Service Announcements for PBS and speaking at the Supreme Court as part of the National Scholars Conference (NSC) are just a few of the ways in which Marshall has given back. An annual volunteer at the NSC and now a member of the Alumni Advisory Committee, which sends care packages and personal letters to National Scholars before their arrival at the NSC, Marshall has emerged as an exceptional leader among Alumni Scholars and as a role model for all current Scholars.

“Lindsay Marshall provides a powerful example of perseverance for fellow Scholars and her ongoing dedication to them and to the Association is inspiring,” said Byron Trott, president and CEO of Horatio Alger Association. “From her continued volunteer efforts to her mentorship of incoming college freshmen, Lindsay’s passion for the Association’s mission is commendable. She is a wonderful reflection of all that makes Horatio Alger Association the organization it is today.”

“To be named 2016 Alumnus of the Year is a wonderful honor,” said Marshall. “However, my gratitude and commitment to Horatio Alger Association knows no bounds. It would be quite easy for the Association to move on from its Scholars after graduation, but the love, care and attentiveness given to us as we enter adulthood, post-college, is simply extraordinary. As an Alumna, I feel as if my participation in supporting new classes of National and State Scholars is critically important. I know that my life is immeasurably better, happier and more fulfilled because of the Association, and I want to ensure that I pay that lesson forward to all of the Scholars who follow me.”

The Horatio Alger Association Alumnus of the Year Award annually recognizes exceptional leaders, such as Marshall, who go above and beyond in their service to the organization and their communities, despite having faced significant adversity and personal challenges in their journey to achieve success.

For more information regarding Horatio Alger Association, please visit: https://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 visit www.horatioalger.org.