"Students First, Students Now"

Samantha Boch

Majors: Nursing, Women's Studies

Scholarships: Alumnae Scholarship Housing program, Edward S. "Beanie" Drake Student Leader Endowment Fund Scholarship, Mildred Munday Scholarship

"My scholarships have enabled me to continue my education here at Ohio State. They've allowed me to devote my discretionary hours outside of academia to involvement on campus or in the community, through programs like Buck-I-Serv trips and the Girls Circle. Without scholarships, I would not have nearly as many opportunities for personal growth, such as volunteering in Nepal or spending time each week facilitating discussions with middle school girls about issues they face in today's society."

Michael Corey

Area of study: Law

Scholarship: Michael H. and Jo Ann Carpenter Scholarship

"I have been able to accept an internship this summer as a legal fellow for U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown as part of Ohio State's partnership with George Washington Law School in Washington, D.C. Furthermore, the flexibility that financial support offers will reap benefits as I pursue a post-graduate career, in that I will hopefully have the ability to select a position where I want to work, rather than a place where I feel compelled to work. This is a luxury for which I am extraordinarily grateful, and for which I intend to spend my life earning such good fortune and creating those same opportunities for others."

Jeremy Davis

Area of study: Medicine

Scholarship: MEDPATH Scholarship

"Attending medical school is a commitment of both time and money, and both commitments are expensive. Receiving financial support enables me to spend less time in the financial aid office worrying about how I'm going to meet financial obligations, and more time in the library concentrating on things that will make me a better physician. My scholarship support is a source of encouragement, relieving unnecessary stress in an already highly stressed environment. I've been blessed in numerous ways because of the kindness and donations of others."

Stephanie Kariuki

Major: Journalism

Scholarships: Office of Minority Affairs Freshman Foundation Program Grant, Edward S. "Beanie" Drake Student Leader Endowment Fund Scholarship

"One scholarship that I received, the Beanie Drake Scholarship, has opened many doors. Although it wasn't awarded to me until spring 2010, I've already seen some of the benefits that come with it. I have been suggested for many other leadership opportunities and groups that I could not have otherwise known about. Through the FFP Grant, I can receive free tutoring for all my subjects, personal advisors to help me through any academic decisions, and other study materials that can be particularly helpful during finals week. It makes me incredibly thankful that someone thought of me and chose to provide a simple candle to light the road to an education."

Leah Kavalec

Major: Comparative Studies

Scholarship: Pausch Scholarship Fund

"I was able to travel across the country to California and Florida to volunteer on organic farms for three months. I also traveled abroad to Quito, Ecuador, which was my first experience travelling. Now I have a profound passion to travel and want to teach English abroad. I hope that someday in the future I can help students out like Mr. Pausch helped me."

Thara Nagarajan

Major: Microbiology

Scholarships: Morrill Scholars Program, The Ohio State University Alumni Club of Greene County Scholarship, Maximus Scholarship

"The scholarship package I received was a huge influence in my decision to attend Ohio State. I hope to pursue undergraduate research, study abroad programs, and other majors/minors because of this assistance. I feel grateful and glad to know that Ohio State alumni have donated money to scholarships. If I could meet my benefactors, I would tell them how appreciative I am of their generosity. By donating money, they are helping students obtain one of society's greatest gifts--knowledge."

Sally Patton

Major: History

Scholarships: Maximus Scholarship, Residence Halls Advisory Council Scholarship

"My financial support has lessened the worry of paying for my entire college tuition, as well as the stress placed on my parents. My father lost his job right before I came to school. But with the help of my campus job and the scholarships I've received, I'm able to remain financially independent. I have two sisters, so this truly takes away the burden of my family paying for an education for all three of us. So far, my overall Ohio State experience has been absolutely phenomenal."

Colin Peters

Area of study: Law

Scholarships: Presidential Scholarship, Moritz Scholarship

"My undergraduate scholarship enabled me to afford the Oxford Pre-Law Program by paying for the tuition expenses. The Moritz Scholarship is allowing me to pursue public interest law, which would be difficult to do with a mound of debt. Without tuition costs hanging over my head, I'm spending this summer volunteering at the Legal Aid Society of Columbus. I have tremendous gratitude for the scholarships that have enabled me to achieve."

Jessica "Lauren" Slutzsky

Majors: Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering, Psychology

Scholarships: The Shepherd Scholarship Award, Alfred Soboyejo Scholarship, Ohio and Michigan Equipment Dealers Association Scholarship, Women in Engineering Scholarship, Honors & Scholars

"My mother was the first person in her family to graduate from college, and I know how hard she had to work to pay for her own tuition. Having my tuition paid for has allowed me to focus on my academics and to search for opportunities that have given me broad exposure, not just a paycheck. I've presented research at the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum, and have done volunteer work with Women in Engineering, City Year Columbus, and the emergency department at Nationwide Children's Hospital."

Glennon Sweeney

Major: Political Science

Scholarships: Critical Difference for Women Scholarship, Mortar Board Scholarship, Scarlet and Gray Grant, Federal Pell Grant, Ohio College Opportunity Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

"I received a plethora of financial support, including work study with the U.S. Air Force ROTC. This has enabled me to accomplish much of my homework during the day while on campus. I'm a single mother, and without this assistance I would not be able to spend as much time with my children upon returning home. I would not be attending college without financial support, especially the Critical Difference for Women Scholarship. I feel both gratitude and a sense of responsibility to my benefactors, which translates into my desire to excel academically, personally, and professionally."

Christine Szostak

Area of study: Cognitive/Experimental Psychology

Scholarships: Ohio State Graduate School Fellowship, Ohio Lions Foundation Helen Keller Scholarship

"The funding I have received has allowed me to gain valuable training in teaching undergraduates. During such experiences, students have the opportunity to work side-by-side with faculty and advanced doctoral students to develop these skills. Portions of this funding have supported additional research. Since I hope to enter the field of academia following my training, these skills are essential. My funding has also helped support travel for scientific meetings and the ability to purchase updated computer equipment."