An Award Winner with Sky High Dreams for the Future

Helen is a member of the Purdue Society of Engineers Outreach Committee, which helps introduce kids to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics) education. She was also a mentor for incoming female engineers in the Women in Engineering program. The volunteer activity that meant most to her last year was her work with the Purdue LGBTQ Center, staffing the help desk and introducing people to the center’s many programs. “The GBU Foundation Scholarship helped me reach my academic goals by taking the financial anxiety and stress out of paying for college and focusing on my studies and volunteer commitments. I am immensely grateful to the GBU Life family. Having this scholarship has meant so much to me and is helping fuel my dreams of one day becoming an engineer at NASA.”

Turning a Setback into Action

Alexander met the challenge of diabetes head on by making it his mission to educate his campus about the disease and fund research for a cure.  “The achievement I am most proud of is founding and hosting a virtual national diabetes conference. The conference had diabetes program directors

from across the U.S. give talks about their work.” His research culminated in a presentation on pancreas transplantation at Cedars Sinai Hospital. “I would

like to say thank you to the GBU Foundation and its members, who most definitely eased the burden of paying for college, allowing me the time to focus on my studies and move the diabetes community forward.”

Paying it Forward by Helping Students in Crisis

Cameron is currently the Co-Executive Director of the Schreyer Honors College’s first-year orientation, helping more than 600 incoming students acclimate to campus life. He also donates time as a counselor for a suicide

prevention and crisis management hotline, aiding students struggling with mental health and financial insecurity issues. “I want to express my utmost gratitude for the scholarship I received, which directly supports the higher education goals I set for myself. I’m incredibly grateful for these funds, and I plan on giving back to future students once I am settled enough to do so.”

Creating Her Own Recipe for Success on Campus

Magdelena already had a full plate when it came time to volunteer in her campus community, including being the Photo Director and board member of the student-run food magazine. As a member of the Society of Women’s Engineers’ Educational Outreach Committee, she helped organize a “Take Your Children to Work Day” at her campus chemistry lab. She also found time to start and run a successful cake baking business from scratch. Last summer she interned with Ocean Spray in their Process Engineering department. “My GBU Foundation Scholarship has allowed me to focus on involvement in the Penn community as well as devoting most of my time to academics and studying. Thanks to less financial stress, I feel confident in pursuing further education and obtaining my Ph.D.” 

Firing Up His Career Dreams Thanks to GBU Life

Landon didn’t just fire up the books while at school, he actually fought fires, having served as a volunteer firefighter for the local community. He credits the

role with helping him remain calm under pressure and work effectively with his fellow firefighters and students. “The experience made a positive impact

on my community and helped shape me into a more responsible, dependable, service-driven person. And thanks to the support of the GBU Foundation, I’m better able to focus on my studies and volunteering so I can pursue my career goals and give back to my community. I’m truly grateful for the opportunities

GBU Life has created for me.”