Graceland Students Receive Micro Scholarships for Internships From Alumni Donor

Internships are arguably the most important resume builder a college graduate can have, however the toll on the student is more often than not overlooked. While some internships come with financial support, it is far more likely that the sole compensation is college credit.

Graceland prides itself on extremely active alumni interaction and support.  There are constant efforts to provide opportunities to current students to better advance them both academically and professionally. Knowing the financial toll internships can require, an anonymous alumni donor recently provided $1,000 to go directly to students enrolled in internships.

An ad hock committee focused on internships, formed to maximize awareness surrounding the benefits of internships and help both students and employers through the process, received the donation. Three students were selected by the committee to be awarded a micro scholarship for their established summer internship.

The students awarded these micro scholarships are Griff Cady, Jenna Cox and Stanley Thomas.
Griff Cady, a senior from Kansas City, Missouri, will be spending the summer in San Diego, California, at Inception Sciences, a chemical research lab, studying new and developing drugs. Griff’s goal is to study cancer treatments and to develop new therapies for patients so they can live longer and happier lives.

Jenna Cox, a senior from Austin, Texas, will be studying zoology at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eaton, Washington. Jenna will be interacting with the animals on a daily basis, preparing diets and habitats, and helping with behavior training sessions and public display opportunities. Jenna hopes to pursue a career in zoo keeping in the future.

Stanley Thomas, a senior from Dallas, Texas, will be traveling to Happy Valley campgrounds, located in the Red Woods of California. He will help operate and direct the many different camps that stay at Happy Valley throughout the summer. Stanley plans on becoming a psychologist and working with juvenile delinquents, and the Happy Valley internship will provide experience working with youth of all walks of life.