Indianapolis, Indiana (May 2007)— University College graduated three students this spring who participated in the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars Program, named for newspaper benefactress Nina Mason Pulliam. The Nina Scholars Program provides a unique opportunity for eligible students to obtain the academic and financial resources and support needed to successfully complete their college education.
“This program is above and beyond any regular resource,” said Joyce Montgomery, a graduate of the program in May. “I just came across the scholarship when I went to Ivy Tech and without it I would have never been so successful.” Joyce has maintained a 3.6 GPA in her radiation therapy major and credits all her success to the Nina Scholars Program.
Those in this program are evaluated twice each year; progress reports are monitored throughout each semester at four, nine, and twelve weeks; and achievement levels are compared to IUPUI averages.
Another graduate scholar, Deborah MacDougall, explains how she became aware of the program. “I was just Web surfing and just by chance I happened to run across it. It was perfect for me being a single mom going to school full-time….I was shocked when I found out that I was chosen for the program. I can’t even explain how excited I was.” Deborah is an English major and graduates with a 3.9 GPA. Deborah plans to attend graduate school at the IUPUI School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). “I would recommend this program to anyone; it has really saved me from a lot of my worries.”
In 2001, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust established the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program to provide an annual opportunity for 40 men and women who aspire to overcome financial, social or physical challenges while seeking a college degree at one of four participating universities or community colleges in Arizona and Indiana. Ten students are accepted into the program each year. Twenty-eight students currently participate in the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program at IUPUI. Nina Mason Pulliam (1906-1997) was a journalist, business and civic leader, humanitarian, and animal advocate.