TERRE HAUTE, Ind – On Monday, Ivy Tech Community College Terre Haute announced a new scholarship established by Steve and Lori Danielson specifically for high school seniors who have demonstrated community involvement and leadership throughout their high school careers.

The Thrive On! Scholarship will support these future leaders both financially and through continued leadership development. Scholarship recipients will receive $1,000 annually and continue their leadership development at Ivy Tech by participating in Student Leadership Academy and as an Ivy Tech Student Ambassador.

The Danielsons hope that sharing details about this new scholarship will inspire other community and business leaders to find ways to connect and support high school students to develop plans for their futures.

“We think it is important as business and community leaders that we all look to find ways to help connect high school students with opportunities,” said Lori Danielson. “Through the Thrive On! Scholarship, we hope to support students who exhibit strong leadership skills in dependability, communication, collaboration, creativity, service, and teamwork. These are valuable skills that will produce outstanding workers and members of our community.”

“Too many students enter their junior and senior years of high school without a plan after graduation to either further their education, pursue a trade, or enter the workforce,” said Steve Danielson. “We were inspired by the Bowens who created a scholarship in Indianapolis and have subsequently introduced that scholarship to Ivy Tech Terre Haute as the Elevate Scholarship. The positive results that have been seen from their scholarships have inspired us to develop something similar to help more students have access and support for a post-secondary plan.”

In order to qualify for the Thrive On! Scholarship, students must demonstrate:

• At least two years of high school club participation (Key Club, JAG, Interact, DECA, etc.)
• Engagement and involvement in activities that support the local community
• Evidence of career exploration (i.e. internship, employment, completion of ICE, etc.)
• Special consideration to students with high school attendance > 90%

 

“The Danielsons’ scholarship is unique and goes beyond removing financial barriers for students,” said Ivy Tech Terre Haute Chancellor Lea Anne Crooks. “Studies show that students who are engaged on campus are more likely to succeed academically and achieve their goals. We are grateful to the Danielsons and their vision of supporting students beyond the classroom by providing them with the tools they need to succeed after graduation.”

High school age students in the Wabash Valley are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is February 14 and students can apply online at www.ivytech.edu/thscholars. For assistance applying, students can contact the College Connection Coach at their school. Additional scholarships for high school seniors are offered, including a laptop scholarship which can be awarded in conjunction with other scholarships.

In 2012, Lori Danielson joined the Ivy Tech Terre Haute Board of Trustees where her passion for Ivy Tech quickly grew. She now serves as the Chair of the Board where she inspires others to have the same passion for Ivy Tech, including her husband, Steve. Most recently, Lori chaired the Terre Haute campus’s Precision Agriculture and Diesel Technology capital campaign which raised more than $2.5 million and allowed for the renovation and development of the 26,000 square foot lab space.