Austin Pickett ’26 was recognized by the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) with a “Realizing the Dream” scholarship, one of 29 first-generation college students statewide to be honored.
ICI spotlights students from Indiana’s private, non-profit colleges and universities who are the first in their families to attend college and are successfully advancing toward degree completion.
“Receiving this scholarship is such a big honor for me, as it allows me to continue on my educational journey,” said Pickett, a native of Veedersburg, Indiana. “I will continue to receive an amazing education at this fantastic institution and take advantage of experiences I never thought I would have when growing up in rural, western Indiana. I am grateful for the opportunity this scholarship has provided me, and I hope to inspire other first-generation college students to achieve great things.”
A political science major with minors in history and Black studies, Pickett received a $4,000 scholarship from ICI, which was made possible by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
As part of the award, each recipient honored an inspirational teacher or mentor who also received a $1,000 professional development grant. Pickett selected Renee Howell, an English teacher at Fountain Central Jr./Sr. High School.
Pickett is a member of the Little Giant football team, the Wabash Democracy and Public Discourse initiative, and the Writing Center. He is a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, the Student Senate, the Malcolm X Institute of Black Studies and the Sphinx Club.
“Many first-year students need some time to adjust to college life, but Austin was active and involved from day one, and has remained so,” said Greg Redding, Dean of Students and Associate Professor of German. “We are impressed by his ability to balance commitments to athletics, Greek life, and campus clubs and organizations, while also achieving at the highest level in the classroom.”
ICI has honored Indiana’s first-generation college students with the “Realizing the Dream” scholarship for more than 30 years.