A $300,000 grant from the M.G. and Lillie A. Johnson Foundation funded spring scholarships for 25 University of Houston-Victoria students and will fund additional scholarships through 2018.
For Nichole Trevino, the scholarship was a welcome relief. She graduated May 13 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, and she was able to complete her degree without any debt thanks to financial aid, scholarships and family support. She plans to return to UHV in the fall to pursue a Master of Education in clinical mental health counseling.
“This scholarship was such a blessing for me,” Trevino said. “Getting this scholarship helped take some of my stress away so I could focus on finishing strong.”
Since 1988, the M.G. & Lillie A. Johnson Foundation has provided a number of generous grants intended for scholarships, academic equipment, professorships and other mission-critical areas at UHV.
“The M.G. & Lillie A. Johnson Foundation has supported UHV’s efforts for decades, and its continued support is appreciated,” UHV President Vic Morgan said. “The university is grateful to have a community partner that continually searches for ways to invest in students and improve our region through education.”
This grant will be distributed as scholarships over two years. The first 25 scholarships were awarded during the spring semester, and the remaining funds will be given out over the next year and a half.
To receive the scholarship, students must have a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and be from the counties of Aransas, Bee, Calhoun, Colorado, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Karnes, Lavaca, Matagorda, Refugio, Victoria or Wharton. The scholarships are distributed by the UHV Financial Aid Office.
At least 70 percent of the funds each semester will be awarded to students studying nursing, health studies, biology or kinesiology. The remaining funds will go to students in other majors.
“UHV is our hometown university, and supporting it has been a priority for the M.G. and Lillie A. Johnson Foundation for many years,” said Robert Halepeska, the foundation’s executive vice president. “This grant provides scholarships for UHV students preparing for health-related and other fields, which fits well within our mission of health and education in and around Victoria County.”
Trevino chose to attend UHV because it is close to her family. Thanks to her family’s support and her dedication to her studies, she was able to graduate summa cum laude. She said it also is encouraging to know that financial support is available through so many sources.
“I’m so grateful to the Johnson Foundation for providing these funds,” she said. “I love learning, and knowing that someone else is willing to invest in my success was an extra source of motivation to do well.”
The spring scholarship recipients were:
- Debra De La Rosa, Bay City
- Mauricio Garcia, Bay City
- Courtney Clark, Cuero
- Justin Villa, Cuero
- Kylie Hicks, Ganado
- Chelsea Barnett, Goliad
- William Sanchez, Louise
- Paige Baros, Nursery
- Marissa Sanchez, Port Lavaca
- Isabella Aparicio, Victoria
- Miriam Cabrera, Victoria
- Kristen Castaneda, Victoria
- Ledie Cheramie, Victoria
- Pablo Espinoza, Victoria
- Hannah Gabelman, Victoria
- Brian Hogan, Victoria
- Jonathan Lozano, Victoria
- Adam Mahan, Victoria
- James Murphy, Victoria
- Hailey Smalley, Victoria
- Victoria Summerville, Victoria
- Kaitlin Timmins, Victoria
- Jennifer Trevino, Victoria
- Nichole Trevino, Victoria
- Carly Albert, Wharton