Sterling College’s Hannah Kelley of Wellsville, Kansas, was awarded the 2015-16 KICF Recognition Scholarship. Kelley is a double-major, pursuing degrees in biology and writing and editing: professional writing. She has a 4.0 grade point average and is expected to graduate in 2016.

The scholarship is awarded annually to one student at one of the 18 nonprofit private colleges in Kansas. Recipients are selected on the basis of their academic achievements and their contributions to their community during their collegiate career. The scholarship was established in 1995 to honor those individuals and organizations that have supported private colleges in Kansas for more than 40 years. 

“We are tremendously proud of Hannah and proud of the way she exemplifies the best qualities of the 24,000 students who attend one of Kansas’ private colleges,” said Matt Lindsey, president of the Kansas Independent College Fund. “Faculty at Sterling have mentioned that they feel fortunate to have a student of Hannah’s caliber in the student body. She is an incredibly diligent student and is teachable and confident – traits one should expect from graduates of Kansas’ private colleges.”

At Sterling College, Kelley has helped establish a recycling initiative and is the main author on a presentation for the 2015 Kansas Academy of Science meeting.

“The experiences I’ve had at Sterling have taught me how to be a good leader and teammate, work hard, persevere, get out of my comfort zone, and stick to my beliefs. Though there are many more things I’ve learned here, these skills will especially help me succeed in life after college, whether it is personal success or professional,” said Kelley in her application essay.

The Kansas Independent College Fund, established in 1952, is a 501(c)3 organization that supports the accredited, nonprofit, private colleges and universities of the state. Since its inception, KICF has directed over $24 million in the form of unrestricted college aid for college programs and activities and targeted giving to match donors’ special interests. The member institutions are Baker University, Benedictine College, Bethany College, Bethel College, Central Christian College, Donnelly College, Friends University, Hesston College, Kansas Wesleyan University, McPherson College, Manhattan Christian College, MidAmerica Nazarene University, Newman University, Ottawa University, Southwestern College, Sterling College, Tabor College and the University of Saint Mary.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.