National University Announces First Cohort of Horatio Alger-Denny Sanford Scholars to Receive $25,000 Each

SAN DIEGO, July 24, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- National University, which is among the largest, private nonprofit universities in California, has announced the first cohort of 10 students receiving $25,000 scholarships through the new Horatio Alger-Denny Sanford Scholarship Program. The scholarship recognizes students who have displayed unmatched integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity. Over the next 10 years, 100 National University students will benefit from the scholarship.

In January 2018, the Horatio Alger-Denny Sanford Scholarship Program was established through a generous $30 million donation to the Horatio Alger Association from renowned philanthropist T. Denny Sanford that will benefit students studying at 13 select universities nationwide, including National University. Of that amount, $2.5 million is available to National University students over the next decade. Mr. Sanford is also well-known for his generosity supporting the national advancement of the Sanford Programs, which are based out of the National University System. In addition, the Sanford College of Education was named in recognition of his extraordinary philanthropy in higher education.

"We are beyond grateful that the Horatio Alger Association and Mr. Sanford have made this scholarship program available to our students," said National University President Dr. David Andrews. "Our students bring a great diversity of experience and backgrounds to the educational experience we offer at National University, and we are pleased to be able to recognize them in this very special way. Congratulations to the first 10 students who have been selected to receive this honor."

National University students receiving the 2019 Horatio Alger-Denny Sanford Scholarship are Jackie Best of Hesperia, California; Paola Escamilla of Sacramento, California; Cecilia Gonzalez of Holtville, California; Hiba Hamad of Dinuba, California; Emily Walker of Perris, California; Johanna Montero of Manteca, California; Aneela Naz of Saint Helena, California; Amber Schimke of Alpine, California; Samantha Valenzuela of Murrieta, California; and Anelise Smosna of El Cajon, California.

"Receiving this scholarship is honestly one of the best things that has ever happened to me," said Emily Walker, 22, a mother of two small children earning a bachelor's degree in accounting at National University. "I want to provide a better life for my kids, and this scholarship will help me succeed in that effort. It also helps show them that anything is possible. Regardless of your situation, regardless of your past, if you work hard, you can do anything."

Scholarship eligibility criteria states that each student must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program, have a demonstrated financial need, be under the age of 28, be enrolled full time, and have at least two years left before their degree completion at National University. Through the agreement with the Horatio-Alger Association, National University will honor 10 scholarship recipients each year over the course of 10 years, who are selected through the established application process for the Horatio Alger National and State Scholarship Programs. Each recipient will receive $25,000, which will be dispersed over three years.

The Horatio Alger-Denny Sanford Scholarship is a reflection of the impactful vision of Mr. Sanford, who was inducted as a lifetime member of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans in 2016 and has contributed more than $1.6 billion to projects aimed at improving society. Since 2014, he has generously supported the advancement of innovative programs in the nonprofit and PreK-12 sectors in collaboration with National University and the National University System: Sanford Harmony, Sanford Inspire, and the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy.

For additional information on the Horatio Alger-Denny Sanford Scholarship, please visit our website, call 858-541-7762 or email alger.sanford@nu.edu.

ABOUT NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1971, National University is among the largest, private, nonprofit universities in California. With more than 165,000 alumni, National University is the flagship institution of the National University System. National University is dedicated to making lifelong learning opportunities accessible, challenging, and relevant to a diverse population of students, offering more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degrees and 23 teacher credentials through its three Colleges: Sanford College of Education; College of Professional Studies; and College of Letters and Sciences. Programs are offered both online and at campuses throughout California and Nevada. National University is headquartered in La Jolla, California. For more information, please visit NU.edu.

ABOUT NATIONAL UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
National University System was established to meet the emerging challenges and demands of education in the 21st century. The System is uniquely aligned to connect a diverse population of students to a network of innovative educational programs that are relevant to their lives, careers, and the marketplace and are delivered in a format that respects competing life priorities. The affiliates of the System include National University, John F. Kennedy University, City University of Seattle, Northcentral University, and the Division of Pre-College Programs. System initiatives also include Workforce Education Solutions and the national Sanford Programs: Sanford Harmony and Sanford Inspire, which provides educators with comprehensive lesson plans and activities to support PreK-12 student development and success, and the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy, which offers educational and training programs for frontline nonprofit fundraisers. For more information, visit nusystem.org.

SOURCE National University System