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Press Release - December 13, 2004
First Students Receive Benefits of World Campus Fund
Monday, December 13, 2004
Mark Leslie Louw is an American citizen living and working as a missionary in Africa's Ivory Coast. The father of four daughters, Louw is also enrolled in Penn State's World Campus, working toward a bachelor's degree in Letters, Arts and Sciences. Recently, however, Louw had been forced to abandon or delay his educational progress because of a lack of finances to put toward tuition. But, thanks to a new World Campus Student Fund‹a scholarship fund supported voluntarily and entirely by numerous World Campus staff members‹Louw will be able to continue his studies.
Louw is one of the first four recipients of the World Campus Student Fund awarded by the Student Fund Committee. "It's heartbreaking when we encounter students who are unable to continue their studies due to finances," said Heather Chakiris, assistant director for recruitment, advising and retention for Outreach Student Services. "We decided to put our money where our mouths are and help them ourselves."
Each of the four recipients received $300 in their University account to take courses in the spring. Eligible students must be in World Campus undergraduate degree status; must demonstrate financial need; must have taken a minimum of nine credits through the World Campus; must have at least a 3.0 GPA; and must submit an application, provide two letters of reference and answer two essay questions. The Student Fund Committee received a total of 24 applications.
Nadia Moufarrej, an American citizen who relocated to Beirut, Lebanon, to care for a relative, is another of the four recipients. Moufarrej was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and now volunteers at a clinic that aims to help people stay positive in their fight against cancer. She is enrolled in the Organizational Leadership bachelor's degree program with a 3.5 GPA.
"NadiaŠhas maintained her focus and dedication throughout despite financial difficulties and a demanding work and study schedule," said one of her recommendation letters. Added Moufarrej, "The experience of studying, working and caring for my home and sick mother-in-law has been tough but rewardingŠI look forward to gaining my bachelor of science degree and moving on to graduate school. I will not rest until I gain a master's degree."
The other two recipients are both incarcerated. "They are ineligible for any other form of aid, and the burden of their educational expenses falls solely on their families, so this is particularly helpful to them as they work to make a better life for themselves when they are released," said Jane Ireland, academic advisor for the World Campus. One recipient, Ibrahim Rivera, said that his education has helped him change as a person‹from difficult beginnings in the South Bronx to being someone who highly values education. He dreams of one day becoming an engineer. "You have facilitated my pursuit in fulfilling my dream, and to a person in my plight that is priceless," wrote Rivera to the Student Fund Committee.
Matthew Nichols is also incarcerated and said about earning a degree in business administration: "I will not allow my circumstances to cause my resolve to waiver. I will finish my degree regardless of any adversity I may have to face." Matthew has shown his leadership skills by organizing programs for inmates, such as developing and co-authoring over a period of three years an orientation program for new inmates to try to reduce the recidivism rate; having photos taken of incarcerated fathers wearing street clothes instead of prison uniforms to give to their children; and developing a reading program for inmates to participate in with their children. After receiving the award letter, Matthew wrote to the committee, "I need you, the committee members and donors, to understand that you have given me and other recipients so much more than just money. I can say for my part, that I have been inspired to accomplish goals that I have never considered. It has been an inspiration that has effected my whole family."
Editor contact: Jane Ireland, 814-863-3285, jfi1@psu.edu
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
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