Abigail Burger was seeking undergraduate financial assistance to help put money away for medical school. The first-year student from Iowa City, Iowa, found that and more last spring as one of the initial quartet of award winners in the McFarlin Scholars Program at St. Ambrose University.
In addition to receiving an additional $4,000 in annual scholarship assistance through the first four years of her St. Ambrose academic career, the Biomedical Laboratory Science major gained a chance, in her won words, to "expand opportunities and connections" through a unique mentoring relationship with College of Arts and Sciences Dean Paula McNutt, PhD.
A second inaugural McFarlin Scholar, Tori Andrews, enrolled in the St. Ambrose Bachelor of Social Work program after graduating from Scott Community College. In College of Health and Human Services Dean Sandra Cassady, PT, PhD, Tori has found a mentor who can help her navigate the challenges of being a non-traditional student and mother.
"I see this relationship continuing to flourish as I go further in my education," Tori said.
The uniquely structured scholarship program honors the expressed desire of Dale and LaVonne "Bonnie" McFarlin to help Iowa students not only attend St. Ambrose but flourish here and beyond.
Created through a $1.38 million dollar estate gift that is the largest single scholarship gift in University history, the program awards four recipients a $4,000 award that will renew annually for up to four years, making each scholarship award worth up to $16,000.
Applications for the second round of awards are being accepted at sau.edu/mcfarlinscholars through February 15, 2021.
Iowa students who carry a 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply after they are fully admitted to St. Ambrose.
Preference will be given to students who have leadership experience and a desire to lead in the future. Additional factors weighed in the selection process include financial need and an interview with a St. Ambrose college dean or Provost Paul Koch, PhD.
Koch, McNutt, Cassady, and College of Business Dean Maritza Espina, PhD, each play a role in selecting a scholar from a pool of applicants and then serve as a mentor to one scholarship recipient each year.
McFarlin Scholars Program
The program awards four, $4,000 awards that will renew annually for up to four years, making each scholarship award worth up to $16,000.
The mentoring process is proving to be educational for the mentors as well as the mentees.
"I have learned not to take for granted that what I know about St. Ambrose and higher education is common knowledge, and to ensure I am finding opportunities to listen closely and share appropriately," said Koch, who is mentoring Serina Norte, a first-year student from Anamosa, Iowa, who still is exploring potential majors. "I am also rediscovering the joys and challenges of those first explorations of college as seen through another's eyes."
Through her mentoring discussions with Tori, Cassady's appreciation for the impact of donors like Dale and Bonnie McFarlin has grown.
"It is a pleasure to meet with Tori and support her in her journey," she said. "The McFarlin Scholarship helped make a St. Ambrose education possible, and helps Tori focus on her education while parenting her son. I'm so impressed with her determination and desire to succeed."
Chase Feeler, an Accounting major from Clinton, is the fourth McFarlin Scholar and experiencing the new McMullen Hall, home to the St. Ambrose College of Business. He is mentored by Dean Espina.
For additional information about the McFarlin Scholars Program click here.
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