Carissa Jefferson ’25 

Hometown: Ellery, IL
Major: Agronomy and Agribusiness

The Alumni Scholarship was a huge blessing to me because I spent half of my summer in Uganda on a mission trip, helping to open a college, much like C of O. If it weren’t for the scholarship, paying for this year’s room and board would have been a challenge. Receiving the scholarship allowed me to focus on serving those in Uganda and not having to worry about finances when I got home.

Abigail Johnson ’26 

Hometown: Castile, NY
Major: Journalism

Receiving the Alumni Scholarship allowed me to develop my own independence and professionalism as a young adult. The scholarship gave me the financial flexibility to spend part of my summer interning at the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home in Dixon, Illinois. While moving to a new state by myself for the internship was daunting, my internship taught me a lot about my faith, my priorities, and all the possibilities open to me after graduation. None of that would have been possible without this scholarship; it was an incredible blessing to me.

Shelomi Miner ’25

Hometown: Columbia, MO
Major: Double Major in Exercise Science and Biblical & Theological Studies

Last summer, I took an unpaid internship in my hometown of Columbia, MO. As such, I was unable to work in the College’s summer work program and had to pay the room & board fees for the school year without sufficient funds. The Alumni Scholarship was a saving grace for me, as my time during the summer was committed to an internship for which I was not paid. The scholarship allowed me to gain valuable knowledge and experience from the internship as well as spend much needed time with my family.

Noah-Eben Mwasanje ’25 

Hometown: Kampala, Uganda
Major: Engineering

I secured a summer internship that has now led to a job offer following graduation. The scholarship offset my room and board costs, allowing me time to pursue an internship. Praise be to God.

Auna Tayloe ’26

Hometown: Poplar Bluff, MO
Major: Early Childhood Elementary Education

Thanks to the Alumni scholarship, I have been given the opportunity to give back and significantly grow through two wonderful internships. Last summer, I was able to work alongside The Center for Urban Teaching in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I had intensive training for two weeks before being the lead teacher in a 3rd grade Summer School classroom right in the heart of urban Milwaukee. This next summer, I am extremely excited to announce that I have been accepted to a competitive position with the Memphis Teacher Residency in Memphis, Tennessee.