Monmouth, Ore. —After nearly a decade hiatus, Western Oregon University and the WOU Foundation brought back the annual Scholarship Reception, an event that recognizes and celebrates student scholarship recipients and the donors who fund them.
At the reception, donors met student recipients, and students were able to thank the donors and connect with professionals, alumni, and community members in their field of study.
Senior Allison Anely Martinez, from Salem, Oregon, who plans to graduate this June with her degree in computer information systems, shared her story of receiving the prestigious David S. Brody Scholarship and how that award transformed her college experience. The David S. Brody Scholarship is among the most prestigious at Western, paying for full tuition and room and board.
“Being a recipient of the Brody Scholarship has been life changing and I am so grateful to have been able to prioritize my education throughout the last five years,” shared Martinez. “The road to the finish line has been anything but easy, but I can see it now, and I cannot wait to walk across that stage in June and become a Western Oregon University graduate!”
Like half of all Western students, Martinez is a first-generation college student, and she shares that when she applied for the full-ride scholarship, she hesitated, because she didn’t think such a prestigious award would go to her. However, she moved forward with the application and was chosen as a finalist to be interviewed. She remained doubtful, but worked with her high school college and career center to prepare for her interview. Martinez adds that her interview was on Zoom during the recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic, and her Wi-Fi cutout mid interview. “I was certain I had blown my chances at that point,” she shares. “I was so disappointed and convinced myself that I had missed out on a great opportunity because of something out of my control.”
Despite this obstacle, she continued moving forward. One day as she was working her closing shift as a waitress, she noticed she’d missed a phone call but had a voice mail message telling her she’d been awarded the most prestigious scholarship at Western. “I drove home in shock, but knew that all my hard work had been seen,” she shares. “I had been chosen and my college path had completely changed. Suddenly I was going to a four-year university and now, I had choices.”
Martinez adds that thanks to the scholarship, she never had to decide between completing her studies and paying for them, meaning having to work long hours to pay for her education. She’s been able to take advantage of opportunities that have helped her excel in college, such as clubs, networking events, internship opportunities, which has helped her find her place at Western.
“I was able to make decisions that prioritized my future. I quit my waitressing job to work on campus, and chose a position that emphasized the skills that aligned with my career goals and built my confidence,” shares Martinez. “This is especially important because as a first-generation college student, I didn’t always have the access to the resources and networks others did.”
“It’s an honor to bring back this event that builds community and showcases our amazing students like Allison. The WOU Foundation is fortunate to have hundreds of scholarship donors who are truly committed to the success of our students,” shares Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the WOU Foundation Katie Wojke. “Each scholarship demonstrates to our students that they belong at WOU and that others believe in their education and future.”
Interested in creating a named scholarship at Western Oregon University? Visit the Wolves Rising campaign webpage to learn more.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.