Contact Information: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marc R. Levy, Executive Director
Questa Foundation for Education
260-407-6494
QUESTA EDUCATION ANNOUNCES RECORD NUMBER OF SPRING GRADUATES
Questa Education Foundation is proud to announce its largest graduate class to date. This graduating class includes 68 scholars from seven Northeast Indiana counties who have completed post-secondary education and are returning to our communities ready for employment. Executive Director Marc Levy says, “Our scholars have a higher completion rate with less debt and over 70% (the state average is 55%) stay in our region for five years after graduation. Since Questa Scholars graduate with less debt, many are now contributing to our growing economy as well as working in it. Our unique funding program is building the thriving economy of tomorrow, today.”
In a truly inspiring story, two of our scholars met in college, dated, married, and when they graduated only had $10,000.00 combined debt to Questa despite having borrowed a total of $40,000.00. Starting off their life together with higher education in place and low debt helped them succeed, benefits the community they live in, and the employers who hired them.
Questa has helped fund over 500 graduates in the past seven years, this includes not only bachelor degrees, but associate degrees and industry certifications in areas that are highly relevant to our area: healthcare, business, manufacturing, and education. These scholars received low-interest forgivable loans: 50% in loan forgiveness for living and working in northeast Indiana for 5 years following graduation, and an additional 25% of the total loan is paid back when they attend and graduate from one of the eight partner regional institutions: Indiana Tech, IPFW, Ivy Tech, Huntington University, Grace College, Manchester University, Trine University, and University of St. Francis. In other words, a scholar can borrow $20,000.00 with the possibility of only having to pay back $5,000.00.
Local support is essential - funding for Questa Scholars comes from local and regional foundations, businesses and organizations. For more information on how you can fund scholars in your community, visit our website at www.questafoundation.org or call us at 260-407-6494.
We are proud to announce our graduating class of May, 2017
Allen County:
Kristy Baron University of St. Francis Nursing
Jacqueline Bruner Ivy Tech Nursing
MeKenzie Buhr Indiana University Business/IT
Jordan Burke University of St. Francis Computer Arts
Andrew Ceckowski Purdue University Ind. Engineering
Joel Chapman Indiana University Folklore & Music
Kaitlyn Coffee University of St. Francis Nursing
Lucina Collins Ivy Tech Adv. Automation
Nicole Collins University of St. Francis Nursing
Briana Davis Indiana Tech Criminal Justice
Kaleigh Ensley Indiana Univ Nursing
Justin Garrison Ivy Tech Medical Assisting
Clarissa Geiger Purdue University Pre-Phys.Asst.
Hailee Gepfert Indiana University Elementary Education
Megan Grothaus IPFW Human Services
Mercedes Harris Ivy Tech Certified Medical Assistant
Keegan Holle Indiana University Business
Emina Kostic University of St. Francis Biology
Angela Lahr Indiana Wesleyan Psychology/Criminal Justice
Erika Leininger IPFW Communications
Brendon Lengacher Grace College Psychology
Melanie McClain Walden University Nursing
Cameron Messman Purdue University Accounting
Adam Miller Grace College Business/Accounting
Blake Miller Manchester University Athletic Training
Fredricka Morgan Rhodes State Nursing
Jill Moss Indiana Tech Business
Robin Rose-Munson Indiana Wesleyan Nursing
Adriana Musco Purdue University Elementary Education
Lydia Neff Trine University Business
Christian Nitz Purdue University Computer Science
Mitchell Olney IPFW Mechanical Engineering
Karlee Parker Manchester University Elementary Education
Ronna Parrot WGU Nursing
Kelly Piepenbrink Huntington University Biology
Karla Pohl Indiana Wesleyan Nursing
Daniel Quade IPFW Business/Accounting
Hannah Quade IPFW Elementary Education
Paige Rahrig Ivy Tech Office Administration
Heather Richardson Trine University Exercise Science
Emma Roy IPFW Human Services
Adrian Russell IPFW English
Nicholas Schwartz Valparaiso Electrical Engineering
Anderson Smith Purdue University Environmental Engineering
Brian Trahin University of St. Francis Nursing
Erica Wheeler Indiana Tech Criminal Justice
Chad Whitman Ball State University Business
Whitney Wright University of St. Francis Nursing
DeKalb County:
Emily Bender Indiana Wesleyan Social Work
Olivia Culbertson IPFW Nursing
Zachary Sarrazine IPFW Actuarial Science
Huntington County:
Anthony Beery Bennett Butler University Marketing
Erica Lagemann University of St. Francis Nursing
Kylie Tester Grace College Elementary Education
Kosciusko County:
Tori Kissinger Huntington University Nursing
Nathan Dirck Indiana Wesleyan Applied Music
Jordan Kuhn Trine University Chemistry/Pre-Med
Ashley Lemberg University of St. Francis Psychology
Bill McBride Indiana Wesleyan Psychology/Christian Studies
Tayler Mylin Indiana Wesleyan Exercise Science
Sydney Rose Indiana University Biology/Pre-Med
Jennifer Slabaugh Indiana Wesleyan Elementary Education
Noble County:
Allison Fisher IPFW Accounting
BreAnn Weeks IPFW Human Services
Steuben County:
Cara Molyet Ivy Tech Business Administration
Whitley County:
Alaina Beckner Manchester University Communications
Jessica Clifford Walden University Nursing
Jennifer Hartman Indiana Wesleyan Nursing
Alexandria Urrutia University of St. Francis Health Services
Brianna White Hanover English