FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2018

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

50 Exceptional Students from Nebraska and Western Iowa
Awarded 2018 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 perseverance and a commitment to education.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 25, 2018) –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 of its prestigious 2018 AKSARBEN Horatio Alger State Scholarship. 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 2018 AKSARBEN Horatio Alger State Scholarship recipients have maintained an average GPA of 3.64 while coming from households with an average annual income of $18,932. Each student is awarded $6,000, paid over four years, to apply toward the tuition of the college or university of his or her choice. Additionally, Horatio Alger State Scholars have access to various resources, including college preparatory support, guidance and crisis counselors, as well as mentoring programs.

“The AKSARBEN Horatio Alger State Scholarship recipients never cease to inspire. From their resilience to their incredible intellect, these Scholars are always exceptional,” said Matthew Rose, president, Horatio Alger Association and 2013 Horatio Alger Award recipient. “The Association is honored to again partner with the AKSARBEN Foundation to support these students and we look forward to witnessing all that they will accomplish in college and beyond.”

AKSARBEN Foundation President Sandra Reding stated, “Through providing educational and economic opportunities to young people, the Knights of AKSARBEN and AKSARBEN Foundation believe that we are helping to build the leaders of tomorrow. It is through opening these doors of opportunity that outstanding students, like this year’s AKSARBEN Horatio Alger State Scholarship recipients, can continue to prosper and change the world for the better.”

“Our annual AKSARBEN Coronation & Scholarship Ball allows us to honor the families who help build the Heartland through volunteerism and to raise scholarship money for tomorrow’s leaders,” said Karen Nelson, chairman of the Women’s Ball Committee. “We are so proud to be a part of the support team for these amazing students. The Women’s Ball Committee congratulates the AKSARBEN Horatio Alger State Scholarship recipients as they begin this exciting next chapter in their lives.” 

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 $143 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 2018 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 $143 million in college scholarships to more than 25,000 deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.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.