FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2019

CONTACT:
McKenna Young
484-385-2913 (office)
myoung@briancom.com

Julie Klug
402-554-9600 (office)
klugj@aksarben.org

49 Outstanding Students from Nebraska and Western Iowa
Awarded 2019 Horatio Alger Aksarben State Scholarship

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

 WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 12, 2019) –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 49 recipients of its prestigious 2019 Horatio Alger Aksarben State Scholarship in the amount of $10,000. These scholarships are funded through the generosity of the Aksarben Foundation, and are awarded to students from Nebraska and western Iowa who have faced significant personal adversities, yet continue to show admirable commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities.

Collectively, the 2019 Horatio Alger Aksarben State Scholarship recipients have maintained an average GPA of 3.78 while coming from households with an average annual income of $24,306. Each student is awarded $10,000, paid over four or five years, to apply toward the tuition of the college or university of his or her choice within the state of Nebraska. Additionally, Horatio Alger State Scholars have access to various resources, including college preparatory support, guidance and crisis counselors, as well as graduate school grant opportunities.

“Each year, we are impressed by the caliber of applicants for the Horatio Alger Aksarben State Scholarship and admire their steadfast commitment to continuing their education,” said Matthew K. Rose, president, Horatio Alger Association, and 2013 Horatio Alger Award recipient. “It is an honor for our Association to partner with the Aksarben Foundation once again to support these students as they chase their dreams while also giving back to their communities.”

Aksarben Foundation President Sandra Reding stated, ““We are honored to be able to assist these hard-working, deserving students on the path to realizing their dreams.”

“We cannot help but be inspired when learning the stories of how each of these students have met life’s challenges head on and persevered. We are grateful for the opportunity to help them pursue their dreams of attending college. We wish them all continued success and the Heartland celebrates YOU,” said Beth Wilson, Chair of the Women’s Ball Committee.

“Through our combined efforts, the Horatio Alger Association and Aksarben Foundation have supported remarkable students as they develop into the leaders of tomorrow,” said Terrence J. Giroux, executive director, Horatio Alger Association. “There is no limit to their potential and we look forward to seeing their continued success for years to come.”

Aksarben Foundation’s mission is to sustain a unified network of business and community leaders that seek to influence change in heartland communities for the betterment of education, workforce development and growth of the economy.

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 $175 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 full list of the 2019 Aksarben Horatio Alger State Scholars, please click here. Follow Horatio Alger Association on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #HoratioAlgerScholar.

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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, in 2017, the Association awarded more than $18 million in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships across the United States and Canada, and also provided college support services to its Scholars. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $175 million in college scholarships to more than 25,000 deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

About Aksarben Foundation:

For over a century, Aksarben has been synonymous with philanthropy, community and giving back. The Aksarben Foundation works to connect important initiatives with business leaders to build a more prosperous heartland for everyone.

Established in 1895, the Aksarben Foundation represents the premier leaders in Nebraska and western Iowa. The Foundation works as a unified network of leaders to influence change for the betterment of our state by funding scholarships for deserving youth, supporting heartland communities through grant funding, recognizing and celebrating volunteerism, philanthropy and community at the annual Aksarben Ball and honoring its agricultural heritage through Pioneer and Heritage Farm Family awards.