Over the weekend the American Indian College Fund held two events at the AIHEC Student Conference. On Saturday night the 33 American Indian College Fund Students of the Year (SOY) were recognized. Also honored was Dr. Verna Fowler (President of College of Menominee Nation) as the TCU President of the Year. Almost all of the 33 SOY recipients were in attendance, and represented themselves and their schools well as they told their stories and expressed their hopes for the future. We would like to thank the Adolph Coors Foundation for sponsoring these awards.
On Sunday night the Coca-Cola Scholar’s banquet paid tribute to the first-generation students who are recipients of the Coca-Cola Scholarship. Two of the students gave eloquent thank-you speeches, reinforcing the importance of a college education in their lives and the importance of scholarships in helping them to achieve their goals. Thanks to the local Coca-Cola bottling company, the tables were sparkling with dozens of eight-ounce bottles of Coca-Cola. Special guests from AT&T and Bank of the West were also in attendance to congratulate our scholars.
Honorees from Ilisagvik College, along with the school’s financial aid director, traveled all the way from Alaska. The three left minus 30 degree weather in Barrow and traveled for 23 hours to take part in the conference and the events.
Congratulations to all of our students for their hard work and a special thanks to the American Indian College Fund staff and Fund President Rick Williams for serving as Master of Ceremonies, making the nights memorable.
