September 17, 2019
Two East Texas Baptist University students, sophomore Alana Goodson and senior Leovardo Sanchez, have been selected to receive scholarships provided by the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT) Foundation and its national partner, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC).
Goodson, a sophomore Christian studies major from Lufkin, Texas, was awarded with funding from the PACCAR Foundation, a private foundation that directs grants to United Way, universities, hospitals, and programs for the arts and education. She felt called to East Texas Baptist University after a former ETBU band director conducted a marching band clinical at her high school.
“My father is also currently attending college, so to be able to receive this scholarship means that a weight is lifted from both mine and my parents’ shoulders,” Goodson said. “As I continue my time at East Texas Baptist, I am most looking forward to growing first in my relationship with God, and second in my friendships with those I met my freshman year. Additionally, I am part of a mentoring program this year, and I am excited to be able to pour into someone’s life and have someone pour into mine.”
Each year since 1985, ICUT Foundation Members have received grants from the CIC State Funds Endowment to provide United Parcel Service (UPS) Scholarships to every private college and university in the State Fund network. This year, Sanchez was selected to receive support from the UPS Foundation. Originally from Waskom, Texas, Sanchez is a senior studying kinesiology at East Texas Baptist University and is in the marching band. He also serves the University on the landscaping staff.
“This scholarship reflects my strong work ethic and will allow me to continue working hard and not give up on my dreams, because I know God has plans for me in the future,” Sanchez commented. “I find scholarships a wonderful way to supply more momentum to pass my quizzes, projects, and exams. I have made wonderful friends at ETBU and have become more of a leader in Christ as He has blessed me with great opportunities. Hopefully, there is more to come on the Hill.”
Nationally, CIC, through the CIC/UPS Educational Endowment, provided more than $1.6 million in student scholarships to make private colleges and universities more affordable and accessible to underserved students. This year, the ICUT Foundation awarded $114,000 in CIC/UPS Scholarships to 38 students at private institutions across Texas.
“ETBU is grateful to be a member institution benefiting from the educational and financial support of PACCAR, UPS, ICUT, and CIC,” ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. “Through our shared mission to provide every student with an affordable opportunity to earn a quality education, students across Texas are being equipped and empowered to pursue their aspirations through private colleges and universities.”
About the Council of Independent Colleges
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities, as well as state-based councils and other higher education affiliates, that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society. CIC is the major national organization that focuses on services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils, including the ICUT Foundation. CIC offers conferences, seminars, publications, and other programs and services that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility. It conducts the largest annual conferences of college and university presidents and of chief academic officers. Founded in 1956, CIC is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. www.cic.edu
About The UPS Foundation
Established in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, the UPS Foundation identifies areas where its backing clearly impacts social issues. In support of this strategic approach, the UPS Foundation has identified the following focus areas for giving: volunteerism, diversity, community safety, and the environment. In 2017, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than $118 million in charitable giving around the world. The UPS Foundation can be found online at www.UPS.com/foundation.
About the PACCAR Scholarship Program
In 1951, PACCAR Inc. formed the PACCAR Foundation as a private foundation to direct grants to United Way, universities, hospitals and programs for the arts and education in communities where the company has a significant presence. Early in the 21st century, the PACCAR Foundation began to provide scholarships to students whose institutions ICUT Foundation members. The PACCAR Foundation can be found online at https://www.paccar.com/about-us/paccar-foundation/.