Scholarships help students “keep going”

Davenport North High School graduate and University of Iowa student Landen Freeman will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Quad Cities Community Foundation scholarship award reception. A scholarship recipient, Freeman said he is “honored to address his fellow students along with the families and donors who support our personal and educational goals.”

Each year, generous Quad Cities Community Foundation donors make more than $700,000 in scholarship awards available to local students. More than 70 awards help students continue their education at trade and technical schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions.

This year’s scholarship awards will be celebrated at a May reception where students and their families can connect with the donors who make the awards possible. The program also includes remarks from a student. A recipient of the Dearrel Bates Memorial Scholarship and the James W. Victor Scholarship, Freeman is uniquely suited to reflect on the power of scholarship to support students during pivotal moments in their lives—the idea is central to the remarks he’ll deliver next month.

“Students, no matter their age or direction, are asking very deep questions of themselves, and sometimes that can lead to doubt and even fear,” said Freeman. “I want to let them know they aren’t alone, and I want to thank the community for supporting students when we need it most. These awards help students keep going, even when it’s tough.” 

The Community Foundation scholarship program has grown year over year. This year, six new funds are celebrating their first awards. And other longstanding funds are celebrating major milestones. The Don E. and Charlotte Williams Scholarship will award its 500th scholarship this year, and the Paul and Barbara Yamber Memorial STEM Scholarship and Edwin R. Adland and Ruth H. Adland Scholarship will each reach a total of $300,000 in awards.

This scholarship season also saw a 24 percent increase in student applications.

For Freeman, that growth comes as no surprise. “These incredible scholarships are just one example of the generous and supportive community we live in,” said Freeman. “We moved around a lot growing up. The Quad Cities feels like home because of the people, people who want you to succeed and have a great future. That’s what makes a home.”

For donors, a scholarship fund offers the opportunity to make education more accessible to students in the community, meeting charitable objectives while also providing much-needed financial support for students to achieve their educational dreams.

To learn how you can support local students and a strong future for the region, contact Anne Calder at annecalder@QCCommunityFoundation.org or 563-326-2840.