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Scholarship Recipient Says Persistence Pays Off
9/22/2010
 Students are often intimidated by process of applying for outside scholarships, and many don’t realize how attainable scholarships can be with persistence and determination. University of St. Thomas student Allison Thomas can attest that scholarship applications are worth the extra effort.
Thomas, who will graduate in May with a double major in international development and international studies with minors in accounting, economics and finance, applied for and received three scholarships this year. She has received the UST Alumni scholarship, the National Energy Services Association (NESA) scholarship, and the Alpha Sigma Lambda scholarship.
“It was a great honor to receive these scholarships and they are greatly appreciated,” Thomas said. “It has been a struggle to balance my responsibilities at home and work while pursuing my degree, but the grace of God has and will continue to sustain me in all my endeavors.”
This was Thomas’ second year to apply for both the Alumni scholarship and the NESA scholarship.
“If you don’t win a scholarship the first time you apply, try again,” Thomas said. “I believe that applying for scholarships and re-applying after rejection develops perseverance.”
Allison was one of only seven students in the entire country to receive the $1500 Alpha Sigma Lambda scholarship. Alpha Sigma Lambda is a nationally recognized honor society for adult students in higher education. The group recognizes the special accomplishments of adults who achieve academic excellence while facing competing interests of home and work.
“Allison is truly a great candidate for this scholarship,” Fr. Ted Baenziger, CSB, faculty advisor for the UST Theta Zeta chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda, said. “It makes all her hard work worthwhile.”
Thomas is very active in the campus life at UST. She is a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda, the Adult Learners in Higher Education honor society, Sigma Iota Rho, and the international studies honor society, and Phi Sigma Tau, the philosophy honor society. She was also a board member for the Celebration of Life in memory of Dr. Gustavo Wensjoe and Julian Wensjoe in 2009. Outside of UST, she volunteers at Lakewood Church and for the Taiwan Economic and Cultural office.
“I chose the University of St. Thomas because I wanted a well-rounded education that would foster intellectual and spiritual development,” Thomas said. “UST has enhanced my life by providing me with encouragement, a supportive environment and the opportunity to realize my dreams.”
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