Through the financial support of philanthropic donors, students are provided with a sense of belief and renewed confidence to achieve their dreams.
Education is a privilege. Isabella Mehok learned this valuable lesson on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic in 2018 with Kids Alive International. Mehok spent 19 days detaching herself from home as she integrated into the lives of those around her. Upon her return, she challenged herself to practice empathy for others and gratitude for things she had previously overlooked. The scholarship gifted to Mehok continues this challenge as she moves toward her chosen profession.
“Empathy is the number one attribute every nurse must have to see things outside yourself and through the lens of someone else,” said Mehok. “Indiana University Northwest is helping me not only establish my professional role, but by following this program, I’m accepting the challenge of becoming an empathetic friend to everyone around me.”
Mehok received the IUN Medical Education Scholarship through the generosity of Frankie Fesko, an educator and philanthropist. Mehok values the scholarship from Fesko because it represents the belief others have in her and the future she wants to create. She personally thanked her donor for her kindness and recognized the humility the scholarship had given her.
Sharing her own experiences, Fesko offered the students guidelines to now help them recognize and follow their dreams. She encouraged them to change their professional direction when they see fit. Be the coworker they want to work with and be open to healthy criticism. Fesko also explained from a donor’s perspective what scholarships offer students.
“We’ve seen that scholarships increase students' confidence and feelings about themselves,” Fesko said. “It helps reduce their debt before they graduate, and it recognizes what a good job they’ve done to that point.”
Donors and recipients were able to get to know each other over a meal. It’s important for donors to see the faces of the students they’re benefitting, as well as for the students to thank the person or people who have generously funded the path to their dreams. The previous gratitude luncheon took place over four years ago because of the halt COVID-19 put on the once annual event.
Amy Díaz, Interim Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and External Affairs, knows that a scholarship is more than a financial gift. Scholarships also provide students with access to opportunities, excellence, achievement, and a brighter future. A lesser financial burden allows students to continue pushing forward and makes their education more useful.
“Events like today’s gratitude luncheon remind us that here on this very campus our students’ dreams are being realized and that their lives are being enriched and transformed thanks to the power of education and your kindness,” Díaz said. “When you lift up our students, you’re also lifting up our region."
