IWU Alumni – Alumni Blog

March 17, 2022March 17, 2022

IWU Traditions: Events

Even as the world changes, the most beloved traditions of IWU continue on.

This past December, just before students left for the Christmas holidays, students were given the opportunity to have a Christmas holiday with their friends at IWU Twas the Night. This holiday celebration featured hot cocoa, homemade crafts, and a sleigh ride, but most of all, featured good cheer!

IWU’s Director of Community Learning, Jonny Rupp, has the following to share: “This is a personal favorite of mine (but I love Christmas)! This is our time as a campus to just come together (before the rush of finals) to celebrate Christmas…together! We’ve done everything from caroling, A Christmas Story being read to us, real live reindeer, and even a skating rink in the middle of The Commons with subtle ‘fake’ snow falling from the ceiling throughout the evening. It is so exciting to see everyone come with their ‘ugly Christmas sweaters’ and cheerful holiday spirit as we eat Christmas cookies, write encouragement cards to local nursing homes, etc. It’s a beautiful event and one I look forward to every year.”

The season of traditions continued this January with Rebash! A celebration that allows students to commemorate the new year with their friends, while possibly earning a little money from the famous balloon drop. This year’s celebration encouraged students to dress in their favorite black and white fashions and take pictures with their friends at a photo booth.

Jonny Rupp describes the birth of this exciting event: “Dancing was not always permitted on this campus. However, after much thoughtful discussion, that rule changed a few years ago. It came with a few safeguards to make sure music is appropriate and various safety precautions were in place, but thankfully ‘Rebash’ is what bloomed from those conversations. It is by far one of our best-attended events, drawing 50% of our Residential Student Body…that’s amazing! It’s our way of ushering in the New Year together as a student body. We even do a ‘fan favorite’ of a count-down-balloon-drop to conclude the evening.”

In addition to these newer traditions, some beloved older traditions are still alive and well on campus. Friday Night Live, the campus sketch comedy group, has consistently delivered fun and wholesome comedy shows to the students of IWU for over 25 years, delivering their most recent show on February 25th, 2022.

“We’ve been an official club for 27 years,” Jeremy Hallett, the creative director of FNL explained, “but FNL has been something that’s been going on for probably closer to like 40+ years. It’s a super old, super important tradition here at IWU. We’re super proud to carry on the tradition and we’re looking forward to bringing FNL to another generation and continuing it on for many years to come.”

What is your favorite IWU event? Share your memories in the comments below!

Written by Emily Bays, Student Blog Writer

October 23, 2018October 23, 2018

Our Compass is the Word of God: James Jackson

By: Noelle Beans
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Reverend James Jackson is this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Wesley Seminary Alumni Award.

Rev. Jackson is not a stranger to authoritative positions. Throughout his ministerial career, he held many positions of authority and performed with great esteem and with great integrity.

The positions Jackson has held include the following:

Director of the Far-Eastside Action Coalition – a task-oriented community group for crime prevention and mentoring, and other projects.
Chief Administrative Officer of Valley Kingdom International – a group which seeks to advance the kingdom through intercepting the different systems of society.
Member of the Police Merit Board – governing body for the Metropolitan Police Department

Jackson was the first pastor in the history of Indianapolis to ever be asked to serve on this board.

Now, Jackson is the lead pastor of Fervent Prayer Church and the president of the affiliated Academy.

He founded the church 24 years ago and the school 22 years ago.

Somewhere along this journey of ministry, Jackson became frustrated.

Encouragement from Bishop Tom Benjamin to apply and enroll at Wesley Seminary came at the right time.

The first two years of seminary were difficult for Jackson because he had been out of school for a long time.

As he acclimated, the transformation in his life began. Rev. Jackson describes his time at IWU as a lift: “restorative, inspirational and informational – a second wind.”

He graduated in 2016 with his master’s degree.

There are now over 180 children enrolled at the Fervent Care Christian Academy from kindergarten to 12-years-old.

Jackson is a commissioner for the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. He was appointed by Governor Holcomb to make decisions on civil rights cases.

In his daily work, Jackson’s faith is his standard. He functions on a mantra of not who is right, but what is right. When seeking guidance on decisions his compass is the word of God.

Developing a relationship with God over all else is of utmost importance to Rev. Jackson. Apparent by his respected appointments over the years, Rev. Jackson chooses to live this out every day.

Watch the video from the Homecoming Celebration honoring Rev. James Jackson! https://youtu.be/UKuXqbJaGQI?t=494

Written by Noelle Beans, a writer for the IWU Alumni Center. Noelle is a sophomore Nursing and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College from Greenville, Illinois.

October 23, 2018October 23, 2018

Living by Faith Outside the Comfort Zone: Joel Herzog

By: Kendra Housel

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At the age of 39, Joel Herzog found himself going back to school, surrounded by others who were about a decade younger than he was.

He originally came to Indiana Wesleyan University to complete his associate’s degree, and then he went on and to get his bachelor’s degree in management in 2010.

His time at IWU was quite unique. Herzog, returning to higher education and balancing that with his family life, found himself at one point stuck with the problem of needing to do homework, but already being committed to taking his daughter to a concert.

He jokes that he was the only person at the Jonas Brothers Concert reading the Bible.

Herzog chose to attend IWU both for its community and the proximity to his home in West Chester.

Though he was considerably older than his fellow students, which was difficult at times, he enjoyed his time and thrived in a learning environment which emphasized personal attention between professors and students.

Today, Herzog is the Chief of Police at the West Chester police station. It is a larger agency than most, where they will soon have 90 officers on staff.

He works often in the behind-the-scenes duties as Chief, so his days either look very routine, (planning meetings, looking at requests, setting goals, etc.) or they are incredibly difficult (discerning the next appropriate move in a hostage situation).

This, Herzog said, is why his faith is so essential, and why he is so thankful for his time at IWU.

Before coming to IWU, Herzog was raised Catholic, but had not gone to church faithfully for many years.

Through his professors showing him how everything ties back to God, Herzog began attending a nondenominational church constantly and recognized the importance of following Jesus faithfully.

His faith now informs everything he does, both in his personal life and in his job as Chief. He finds that it is important to pray for and with his officers and members of the community.

He has also taken hold of the unique opportunity he found in the West Chester department. When he began, two officers were ordained ministers, and the number has increased to four.

These chaplains are always available to the officers to help them process their spiritual well-being on the job, which in some places can be taboo. However, Herzog says spiritual well-being is just as important as physical well-being.

With a faith that he says has given him a greater vision and more compassion, Herzog has prioritized community engagement with his unit. He wants the community to know his men by their first names and as people, not only as officers.

Herzog stresses how important it is to get out of your comfort zone and to be around people who are not exactly like you. For his men, this not only opens their eyes to different people’s stories and life styles, but it also helps to continue to show communities that police officers are just normal people.

In his pursuit of community connection, Herzog likes to take his wife and visit a new church on some Sundays.

The first time he did this was a very special occasion and it left a lasting impact.

In July 2016, at the height of tension between African American communities and police officers, five officers were shot in Dallas, Texas.

Herzog did the only thing he could think to do: he donned his uniform and took his wife to a predominantly black church that Sunday morning. What happened there was a work of God: amazing love and embracing between the parties that he struggled to describe in a way that would fully honor the memory.

Herzog looks back at that experience as a powerful time, where a bond was built with members of that church family that last to today, because of the great compassion and understanding they shared in such a tumultuous time.

When asked what additional words of wisdom he had for current IWU students, Herzog shared the words he shares with his officers: “If something is important to you – sports, education, marriage, parenting – don’t train until you can get it right … train until you can’t get it wrong. Stick with it; life doesn’t always give you a second shot. Take what you got, work for what you got and fight for what you got.”

Watch the video from the Homecoming Celebration honoring Col. Joel Herzog! https://youtu.be/UKuXqbJaGQI?t=325

Written by Kendra Housel, writer for the IWU Alumni Center. Kendra is a junior Education and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. She is also a member of the University Chorale. Kendra is passionate about serving Christ through writing, singing and caring for others.

October 23, 2018October 23, 2018

Encouraging Others through Victory: SaLisa Flagg

By: Dezaray Barr

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SaLisa (Lisa) Flagg is this year’s recipient of the IWU Distinguished National and Global Alumni Award.

“I’m very excited and very honored to receive this award,” Flagg said.

She graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2010 with her bachelor’s degree in nursing and in 2014 with her master’s degree in management.

She now works as a registered nurse at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She utilizes her knowledge to access, plan, intervene, evaluate and document patient care.

“I like being part of the children’s healing process … to let them know that God is a healer and to try to direct them to Christ,” she said.

Flagg also trains and mentors new staff at the hospital, and she formulates nursing diagnoses for training staff on actual and potential health problems.

In addition to being the spokesperson for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, she also started a women’s ministry mentorship project at Rose Chapel Church where her husband, Pastor Mark Flagg, serves in ministry.

The Women’s Ministry Mentorship Program aims to guide ladies ages 18 and over to triumph in all areas of their lives. They meet once a month with women from both the church and from the community.

“We let them know that they’re not alone,” Flagg said. “Whatever situation they’re fighting or coming up against, they’ll triumph over it through God.”

Most recently, Flagg has created a workshop, I’m Under Construction, where Christian women of various backgrounds and views gather together for discussion and spiritual growth.

Flagg’s motto is, “The odds may be stacked against you, the past may seem like it’s controlling your present and future and you may think that you can’t win; however, God and his glorious plan are enough to give you the victory.”

Congratulations, Lisa! It is an honor to call you an IWU alum!

Watch the Homecoming Celebration video honoring SaLisa Flagg! https://youtu.be/UKuXqbJaGQI?t=206

Written by Dezaray Barr, PR Specialist for the IWU Alumni Office. Dezaray is a senior Strategic Communication, Journalism and Honors Humanities triple major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

October 3, 2016October 4, 2016

Alumni Awards Homecoming 2016: Janice Cotrone

By: Emily Lehner

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Janice Cotrone has devoted her adult life to improving healthcare in the country of Haiti. She served as Director of Nursing, Pediatric Programs, Surgery, and held the position of Station Manager. Upon living full-time in Haiti for 26 years, Cotrone and her family moved back to the United States and settled in Naples, Florida for 6 years, pastoring there. Her husband then retired, and the family moved to Missouri. “However, in 2012, The Lord spoke to me very clearly at the General Conference of the Wesleyan Church and He wanted me to return to Haiti and open a four year RN/BSN School of Nursing,” Cotrone said.

Cotrone returned to IWU to receive a degree in Nursing Education, and when she finished with that, she jumped right into the Doctorate Program. The four year RN/BSN launched the first class of freshman in 2014 and things have been going smoothly. The program is only one of two in the entire country of Haiti. There are over 600 schools of nursing in Haiti, only 50 being accredited and Cotrone’s school is one of those 50. A few years ago, the school was given a distinguished honor by USAID and the department of public health in Haiti. “I am very thankful we received that award. We are seeing the outcome. We are already seeing things happen, and I just thank the Lord for helping me shoulder this kind of load and program,” Cotrone responded.

Cotrone currently travels to Haiti often to maintain upkeep of the school and teach. However, she is not able to live there full-time because she has assumed care of her mother here in the United States. Her son recently began school at IWU. Cotrone believes that in the future, the school will have many other degree options for students.

Cotrone’s time at IWU throughout the years has prepared her for multiple disciplines. She also believes that her background in life helped her wear the many hats she has to do daily. “IWU gave me the foundation I needed to handle what my life would look like down the road,” Cotrone stated. She is strategically placed to change the face of healthcare for the entire nation of Haiti. To Cotrone, it is much more than just training nurses, though. She said, “I want to train these young people for life, and I put heavy emphasis on this. We have bible classes taught every trimester.” The ratio of nurses to citizens in Haiti is 1 RN for over 9,000 people. Cotrone believes her greatest joy is preparing her students to not only save lives physically, but through salvation in Jesus Christ as well.

“I am blown away. I am not really an extraordinary person, I just work for an extraordinary God. It is such an honor. I just feel like I am doing what I am supposed to be doing in the world. When you are doing what you are supposed to do, should you be awarded for that? I don’t know. I am very honored and humbled to receive this award. I appreciate IWU. They’ve been very supportive of me,” responded Cotrone when asked how she felt about receiving the award.

This award is granted to an alumnus or alumna of the School of Nursing who has exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and will be awarded during the Homecoming Weekend of October 7th.

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Written by Emily Lehner, a writer for the Alumni Center and a sophomore Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.

October 3, 2016October 3, 2016

Alumni Awards Homecoming 2016: Cynthia Booth

By: Dezaray Barr

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Annually, Indiana Wesleyan University awards the Distinguished DeVoe School of Business Alumni Award to a deserving alum. This year, that award goes to Cynthia Booth. Booth currently serves as the President and CEO of Owner of COBCO Enterprises, LLC. She is currently a member of Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and she continues to support her son, Paul Jr., at Legacy Pointe Church.

Booth is very active in the community and serves in the following ways: Board of Advisors of DeVoe School of Business at Indiana Wesleyan University, Chair of McDonald’s REAL Team as part of the National Leadership Council, Board of Advisors at the Goering Center, Board of Directors at First Financial Bank, Board of Trustees at Denison University, Treasurer on Board of Directors for Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Deaconess Ministry at Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and Vice Chair for Trustee Ministry at Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

Booth has received many awards, dating back to 1999. Since receiving her first award in 1999 she has received over 35 awards, the most recent being the Lead Magazine’s Emerging Business Award and the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa’s Extraordinary Entrepreneurship Award.

While at IWU, Booth’s favorite professor was Shelley Webb. Her education and experience at IWU were exceptional, but it changed and grew her. “It not only challenged me academically, but it also challenged me to think globally and to be a world changer. More importantly, it allowed me to learn in an environment that supported my Christian values and beliefs,” she said.

This award is granted to an alumnus or alumna of the DeVoe School of Business who has exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and will be awarded during the Homecoming Weekend of October 7th.

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Written by Dezaray Barr, Writer for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a Sophomore Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU Dezaray is involved in PRSSA leadership and runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

September 30, 2016

Alumni Awards Homecoming 2016: Tom Cully

By: Dezaray Barr

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Annually, Indiana Wesleyan University presents the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, and this year the recipient is Tom Cully. Cully currently works at Holsum Dairies as a Herd Veterinarian. He is a member of Faith Alliance Church where he serves as a nursery volunteer, greeter leader, assimilation committee member, Discovery Land volunteer and Sunday School teacher.

During Vet School, Cully served as president of the Cornell Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SCAVMA), secretary of the Christian Veterinary Fellowship and captain of the Bovine Palpation Team.

He has received the following awards: American Association of Bovine Practitioners Amstutz Award, American Veterinary Medical Foundation and Zoetis Scholarship Award, the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association Distinguished Member Award, Zoetis Clinical Proficiency Award in Dairy Production Medicine, Leadership Recognition Award and the New York State Veterinary Medical Society Senior Seminar Award.

Cully’s favorite professor was Dr. Matthew Kreitzer, and his favorite thing about IWU was the Christ-centeredness, as well as the competitive programs that allowed him to succeed. “The most valuable aspect of my IWU education was a Christ-centered perspective in professional and personal matters. The second most valuable aspect was highly competitive pre-professional program preparation that helped me to excel from the onset of my veterinary education,” Cully said.

This award is granted to an alumnus or alumna of Indiana Wesleyan University who has graduated in the past ten years and exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and will be awarded during the Homecoming Weekend of October 7th.

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September 29, 2016

Alumni Awards Homecoming 2016: Lydia Pfenniger

By: Dezaray Barr

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Lydia and her family Photo obtained from http://www.fredandlydia.com/pictures/ — Lydia and her family
Photo obtained from http://www.fredandlydia.com/pictures/

Annually, Indiana Wesleyan University presents the Distinguished College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Award. This year, the recipient of this award is Lydia Pfenniger. Pfenniger currently works as an OB Fellowship Trained Family Physician at the Association of Baptist for World Evangelism. She is married to Fred Pfenniger and has two children, Noah and Nathanael.

Pfenniger is currently a member of Temple Baptist Church in Tacoma, Washington. She enjoys traveling and has taken multiple medical mission trips to Honduras, Bolivia, Zambia and most recently traveled to Togo. From January 2013 to July 2015, Pfenniger and her husband traveled to Togo, West Africa with the Samaritan’s Purse Post Residency Program to practice full scope medicine. The hospital the couple served in is a full service mission hospital that serves primary adult care, pediatrics, obstetrics and surgical needs. They are just now starting a second 30-month term at the same hospital.

Pfenniger’s education at IWU taught her many important things, but most importantly, it taught her how to see the bigger picture. “IWU challenged me to keep my focus on God and not just what is before me, to see a bigger picture through God’s eyes and not just the picture in front of me, to keep my focus on the end goal and not just the challenge directly ahead,” she said. Coach John Foss, Dr. Jim Lo, Dr. Hess, Dr. Webb and Dr. Lakanen were some of her favorite professors and mentors who influenced her greatly while at the university.

Learn more about Lydia and Fred’s journey on their website: http://www.fredandlydia.com/.

This award is granted to an alumnus or alumna of the College of Arts & Sciences who has exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and will be awarded during the Homecoming Weekend of October 7th.

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September 28, 2016September 28, 2016

Alumni Awards Homecoming 2016: Reba Lynn Harris

Reba Harris, photo obtained from http://www.gileadhousekokomo.org/about-us/

By: Dezaray Barr

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Annually, Indiana Wesleyan University presents the Distinguished College of Adult and Professional Studies Alumni Award. This year, the recipient of the award is Reba Lynn Harris, a 1997 graduate.

Harris founded the Gilead House in September of 2000 and is now the executive director. The Gilead House offers education, training, programs and services for broken and hopeless men, women and children.

Harris belongs to Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Kokomo, Indiana where she serves as the president of the F.D. Reece Christian Academy, as well as an adult Sunday school teacher. She is a member of the Howard County Drug Court, Howard County Mayor’s Task Force and is a board member on the Kokomo Veteran’s Home. Finally, Harris has been honored with the Indiana Black Expo Award for community enrichment.

Harris’s education at Indiana Wesleyan University is what inspired her to open the Gilead House, as well as give her resources to help the Howard community. “It has given me the confidence to strive for the vision that God has given me,” Harris said about her education at IWU.

This award is granted to an alumnus or alumna of the College of Adults and Professional Studies who has exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and will be awarded during the Homecoming Weekend of October 7th.

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May 4, 2016May 6, 2016

Kirk & Emily Proctor: Ministry from Michigan to Sierra Leone

By: Dezaray Barr

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10448185_10154371089705503_3035781835652019863_n — The Proctors striking a pose: (from left) Coby (6), Kirk, Aubrey (8), Bryce (10), and Emily.

Kirk and Emily (Robinson) Proctor are doing great things to expand God’s Kingdom, and it all began at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Kirk grew up in the Wesleyan church. His family was well known in the church, usually attending multiple services a week. Kirk says that the only family who stayed longer in his childhood church besides his own family was the pastor’s family.

From a very young age Kirk put his faith in Christ, “From the ages of three to five, I gave my life to Christ every time I got in trouble, which was a lot.”

When Kirk was in seventh grade, he rededicated his life to Christ, which is when Kirk believes it was the first time it was real for him. The next summer Kirk received his call to ministry while at summer camp, knowing the Lord wanted him to be a pastor.

Kirk Proctor - IWU Blog photo — Kirk preaching at Faith Church in Lansing, MI

Being the youngest child in his family, Kirk’s older brother and sister had attended Indiana Wesleyan, and Kirk knew Indiana Wesleyan was where he wanted to be. During his first few years in college he spent time dodging and rediscovering his call into ministry, including a six month period where he thought he did not want to be a pastor at all.

Emily also grew up in a family active in the Wesleyan church. Although Emily gave her life to Christ at a young age, she became serious about her faith in middle school and high school by learning from her summer counselors at church camp. Through camps, conferences and rallies Emily was introduced to Indiana Wesleyan. When she discovered that IWU had a competitive cheer team that offered scholarships, Emily knew IWU was where she wanted to go.

During their time at IWU, Kirk and Emily were both admissions tour guides, which is where they met. They became friends and eventually began dating. The couple graduated in April of 2002, Kirk with a degree in Christian Ministries and a minor in Intercultural Studies, and Emily with a Communication degree in Public Relations and a minor in Spanish. They married a month after graduating on May 25, 2002. IWU has had a huge impact on both of their lives, “We absolutely loved our time at Indiana Wesleyan,” Emily said.

numbers — This number represents how many people have found Salvation through Faith Church

Since leaving IWU, the Proctors have been working in the Wesleyan church for 14 years. After marrying, Kirk and Emily moved to Wisconsin where they had taken jobs as youth ministers at Sand Lake Wesleyan Church. The pair then served for a few years at Sturgis Wesleyan Church in Michigan, and then moved to Illinois where they served at Heritage Church for six years. Now, the couple lives in Lansing, Michigan where Kirk is the senior pastor at Faith Church.

Kirk is passionate about keeping his congregation accountable for bringing new believers to Christ. About two years ago, Kirk told his church congregation that every time a non-believer comes to Christ they will put a number on the wall of the church. The number is located above the door, so that when congregants leave after the Sunday services they are reminded church is not just the pastor, but that they are a part of the Church.

Kirk believes his congregation has changed immensely because of this number above the door, “When they leave they think, ‘How many more people can come to Christ this week?’ And then they celebrate that number. We’ll announce a new number from time to time, and there is always a standing ovation with whooping and hollering.”

numbers2 — Each new Christian holds up their “number” that represents when they found Salvation

After the first year the number above the door was “113”. Kirk planned on taking the number down and starting over. However, people in the church asked him not to. Many people knew what number they were or what number their friends were, and they did not want to lose that symbol.

Today, the number is “227”. Of these 227 people, one-third of them were led to Christ by members of the church outside of services. Kirk has seen dozens of people come into the church and put up their own number, either by themselves or with their friend who brought them to Christ.

Last month, Kirk and Emily had the opportunity to travel to the Republic of Sierra Leone in West Africa. Faith church is currently partnered with World Hope International in a three year village partnership commitment. During these three years, Faith church raises monetary funds to allow the village they are partnered with to create commerce within their own community in West Africa.

Kirk is passionate about what World Hope International is doing around the world, “They know how the old saying goes, ‘Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.’ That is what World Hope International does. They know what crops can grow or certain livestock that each village can have, so we pay for them to have these things.”

The village Kirk and Emily visited on behalf of their church had no well and only muddy water. Through the partnership, the village has been able to plant pineapple fields, and they now have two wells. The people of the village now have clean water, and can sell the pineapple to create commerce to provide for education and basic needs.

While in Sierra Leone, Kirk and Emily also had the opportunity to help missionaries who were in need of prayer, “We got to pour into some of the Wesleyan Missionaries there,” said Emily. Kirk knows that his work is not done with Faith church or with World Hope International, “I hope that when this three year partnership is done we’ll pick another village.”

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Written by Dezaray Barr, Writer for the Alumni Office. Dezaray Barr is a Freshman Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU Dezaray is involved in PRSSA leadership and runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. In 2015, Dezaray received the award of Horatio Alger National Scholar.