NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University students met with alumni and friends who support their education through scholarships during the annual “Powering Dreams” event at the Agricultural Learning Center on Sunday. The celebration allows students to thank donors and share their experiences at Northwest.

University President Dr. Lance Tatum highlighted the importance of scholarships, stating, “The scholarship dollars each year that we receive are such an essential part of how we support our students at Northwest. Simply put, scholarships allow us to compete for the very best and brightest students and they provide critical financial support to students who otherwise would not be afforded a chance to seek a college education.”

Among the attendees was Leah Mayfield, a freshman political science major from Kearney, Missouri. She emphasized how scholarships have eased her financial burden, enabling her to attend Northwest and pursue a career in law enforcement. “Having this scholarship along with others has helped ease the financial burden that college comes with,” she said.

Paige Jensen, a senior agricultural media major from Atlantic, Iowa, also expressed gratitude for donor support. She received the MBE Scholarship for upper-class female agriculture students. Jensen noted that these scholarships have allowed her to focus on her studies without worrying about tuition costs.

Donors present included Mercedes Ramirez Johnson, a 1997 Northwest graduate who established a memorial scholarship fund through the Northwest Foundation in honor of her parents. Reflecting on her family's journey and legacy, Ramirez Johnson stated, “I know that my parents are very proud that not only their legacy is living on but the legacy of everybody in this room is helping to prove that the American dream still does exist.”

Dr. Elyssa Ford, a professor of history at Northwest and member of the scholarship committee, spoke about the value of scholarships for high-achieving students and those with financial need. Last summer, she collaborated with local donors to assist two public history and museum studies students in earning internship credits.

“These students gained important experience for their own future careers by designing exhibits and working directly with museum collections,” Ford said. She encouraged donors to consider supporting internships and student teaching scholarships.

Scholarship funding remains central to Northwest’s mission. During FY24, more than 1,400 scholarship awards were funded for Northwest students totaling nearly $1.4 million.

For more information about contributing to scholarships or making gifts to support Northwest Missouri State University, contact the Office of University Advancement at 660-562-1248.