CH
Colin Hansen
  • computer science
  • Class of 2017
  • Winside, NE

Colin Hansen Honored for Clifford A. Rae Academic Achievement Award at Buena Vista University

2017 Feb 20

Nine Buena Vista University (BVU) business students and eight science students, including Colin Hansen of Winside , have been selected for the Clifford A. Rae Academic Achievement Award for the 2016 calendar year.

The awards, which range up to $5,000, were created by two separate $750,000 endowments from the foundations established by Dr. Harold Walter Siebens and named after the long-time advisor and counsel to Siebens and the foundations. The endowments support annual awards for up to three pre-qualified, academically high-performing BVU business and science students in each of the second, third and fourth years of school.

"The Clifford A. Rae Academic Achievement Award is designed for a very simple purpose: to encourage the pursuit of academic excellence by rewarding superior academic performance," said Ben Donath, dean of BVU's School of Science and associate professor of mathematics. "Through these very substantial financial awards, BVU's School of Science students are sent a very clear message consistent with Mr. Rae's and the Siebens Foundation's values, that academic accomplishment should be honored and rewarded."

The competitive program, which rewards business and science students who excel in their academic pursuits, is open to students who live in Iowa or adjacent states and who meet certain financial need guidelines. Students may receive the award more than once during their years at BVU.

In addition to academic excellence, the program encourages quality learning experiences for students outside the classroom, such as internships, study abroad, international and domestic travel during BVU's January interim, and individual academic research. Fourth-year students can also use the funds for graduate school applications, entrance/exam costs or professional certification. Upon graduation, students can also use remaining Award funds to help pay down student loans.

"Compared to most scholarships, the Clifford A. Rae Academic Achievement Award is truly unique in its flexibility," added Dr. James Falter, dean of the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business. "Specifically, students have some discretionary ability to utilize the proceeds in the way that best meets their goals including paying for student debt, graduate school or subsidizing internships."

About Buena Vista University

Celebrating 125 years of service.

Since 1891, Buena Vista University has prepared students for lifelong success and blends liberal arts with real-world applications. Our traditional campus on the shores of Storm Lake hosts students in a variety of majors and pre-professional programs, including elementary, secondary, and special education; business and accounting; and biological and chemical sciences. Our 16 degree-completion locations, online, and graduate programs expand student potential with a pace and academic rigor designed for working adults and a variety of class formats that make scheduling even more convenient. BVU is an affordable option for all students and, combined with its academic programs, has led U.S. News & World Report to rank BVU as the third best value school among Midwest Regional Colleges. Visit www.bvu.edu.

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