On Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 40 IAIA students gathered in the Performing Arts and Fitness Center Gym for the Fall 2021 Scholarship Awards Luncheon to celebrate their success and achievements in receiving scholarships for the 2021–2022 academic year. The entire event was livestreamed from the IAIA website. In addition to the usual photo opportunities, which students enjoyed as much as ever, this year students had the opportunity to shout out to friends and family via livestream and talk about what receiving a scholarship meant to them.

For the 2021–2022 academic year, 247 IAIA students were awarded scholarships, amounting in over $935,000. Excitement showed on the faces of every student who attended the event. Receiving scholarships is an exciting achievement for all college students—for many students it’s an award that validates their hard work, and for others a scholarship is proof that they have support in the IAIA community. For some students, receiving a scholarship defines their educational path as it determines whether or not they stay on track for their anticipated graduation year.

“I wasn’t planning on coming back next semester,” said Soledad Flores Gudino, class of 2025. “My family and I are dealing with a lot of money issues right now, and I didn’t think it was going to be possible to come back. This scholarship takes a lot of weight off my shoulders. I no longer have to worry about whether or not I’ll be able to continue at IAIA.”

Xeneca LeClair (Otoe-Missouria), class of 2023 shared how she wishes to spread love and joy with her art work. “These donors have given me hope again,” LeClair said. “This scholarship helps me continue living my dreams and creating my art.”

Photographic Views from the Event