Placencia, Kruse honored for “Realizing the Dream”
FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Huntington, Ind.- Huntington University student Logan E. Placencia of Auburn and her former basketball coach, Mitchell Kruse of Lakewood Park Christian School, will be among those honored by the Independent Colleges of Indiana at the annual "Realizing the Dream" banquet in Indianapolis on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Placencia is a sophomore at Huntington University studying elementary education.
Made possible by a grant to the Independent Colleges of Indiana from the Lilly Endowment, "Realizing the Dream" honors outstanding first-generation students from 32 independent college campuses in Indiana and the mentors who most encouraged those students to seek a college degree.
The student honorees are Indiana high school graduates who subsequently demonstrated superior academic performance during their first year of studies and exhibited leadership in campus or community activities. A $2,000 grant will be mailed to the institution to be deposited into the student's account and applied toward the cost of his/her education.
"Realizing the Dream" also celebrates the roles played by teachers and parents in shaping student aspirations for a college education. After being chosen by their college, the students were asked to name the elementary or secondary teacher or counselor who most influenced them to attend college. These mentors will each receive a $1,000 professional development award.
Attending the banquet in addition to the students, parents, and teachers will be special guests, presidents of the colleges, and the campus coordinators of the "Realizing the Dream" program. Martha J. Smith, associate dean of student development, will represent Huntington University at the event.
