Urban League Scholarship Fair Serves the Community with $2.05 Million in Scholarships

scholarship-fair-2015Organizers from the Urban League of Northwest Indiana were stunned by high student turnout and the level of scholarships given out at its 2015 Scholarship Fair held at the Genesis Center on Thursday, September 25, 2015. According to Education Committee member Shirley Moorehead, 50 students from 12 universities received scholarships; the amount totaled over $2 million or $2,050.000. Many more were admitted on the spot, with other offers pending SAT/ACT scores.

The universities awarding the scholarships included Bethel, Claflin, Johnson C. Smith, Indiana University Northwest, Alcorn, Livingstone, Purdue, Philander Smith, Talladega College, Valparaiso University, Tuskegee University and Jackson State.

In all, 70 universities and colleges were represented at the fair.

A number of students received free rides and others were recipients of renewable scholarships including Mariah Harris of Lighthouse Charter School who will receive $15,000 each year at Valparaiso University.

For the first time in Scholarship Fair history, Horizon Bank offered five $1000 scholarship applications to current students and current college students. The deadline to qualify is October 30, 2015. Horizon Bank representative Yolanda Davis said that as a first time participant, she was curious about turnout. “To my surprise, attendance exceeded the 1,300 number of students expected. I was overwhelmed with excitement to see the students take charge of their futures.”

Responding to the fact that 1600 students from all over Northwest Indiana and cities in both Illinois and Michigan were in attendance, Urban League Board President and IUN Chancellor William Lowe commented “The record attendance at the 2015 Scholarship Fair shows the importance of the priority that the Urban League of Northwest Indiana assigned to enabling students and families in the region to prepare for the transition to college, especially for those who may be the first in their families to go to college.”

He added that the fair exuded a wonderful energy. “The people from the participating colleges worked very hard and the students enjoyed discussing their college plans.”

Urban League President and CEO Dr. Vanessa Allen congratulated her team and all the participants on creating a magnificent educational opportunity. “We know we are on the right track when we are able to host such a successful event that will help our children to grow and prosper.”

The Scholarship Fair is an annual event and has been presented for 9 years. The Urban League of NWI is committed to educational opportunity and fairness. Additional Urban League scholarships will be available in January 2016 at www.ulofnwi.org.