Kenton Chase ’28 was honored by the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) with a “Realizing the Dream” scholarship, one of 28 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.
“This award represents recognition of the hard work and sacrifices it took to get here as a first-generation college student,” said Chase, a native of Salem, Indiana. “It reassures me that I belong in this space and that the work I am putting in is being noticed. The scholarship will help relieve some financial pressure, allowing me to focus more on my academics, extracurricular commitments, and personal growth. It motivates me to keep striving for excellence and to set an example for others who come from similar backgrounds.”
A rhetoric major with a minor in business, Chase received a $5,000 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 Jeremy Lowery, a physical education teacher and football coach at West Washington Jr./Sr. High School.
Chase is a student coach with the Little Giant football team; a member of the Center for Innovation, Business, andEntrepreneurship; and belongs to three clubs: Wabash Film Club, Snowboard and Ski Club, and the Investment Society.
“As a first-generation college student myself, in my first year as dean at Wabash, I was honored to be able to give this award,” said Scott C. Brown, dean of students. “Our team chose Kenton because of how broadly and deeply he has already established himself at Wabash, in and out of class, on and off the field.”
ICI has honored Indiana’s first-generation college students with the “Realizing the Dream” scholarship for more than 30 years. The recipients and mentors were honored Feb. 28 at a banquet at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis.