October 3, 2023
East Texas Baptist University junior Areli Estrada-Lopez has been selected to receive a PACCAR Scholarship provided by the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT) Foundation and its national partner, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). Estrada-Lopez is a business administration major from Marshall, Texas.
“It is a complete honor and blessing to receive this scholarship,” Areli Estrada-Lopez said. “I am filled with joy, happiness, and excitement. I am extremely grateful, and I know that this was sent to me through my Lord and Savior. I value everything about ETBU, becoming a Tiger was a dream come true for me. I was born and raised in Marshall, Texas. I remember driving through the ETBU campus all the time just admiring how beautiful it is. I would have never thought I would have my college experience at this wonderful University. It is a very special feeling to be a part of the Tiger Family.”
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 were ICUT Foundation members. Each scholarship is awarded to a need-based student whose background reflects one or more of the components in the target population of top priority to the PACCAR Foundation and to CIC’s First Opportunity Partners program.
"I am profoundly grateful that our University stands among the esteemed member institutions that receive invaluable educational and financial support from PACCAR, UPS, and CIC," Dr. J. Blair Blackburn, President of ETBU said. "Year after year, these scholarships leave an indelible mark on the lives of deserving students. Aligned with ETBU’s mission to offer students an accessible path to Christian education, we are equipping and empowering students to prepare for God’s calling on their lives."
The ICUT Foundation collaborates with institutional members, businesses, and relevant stakeholders to raise funds to develop and implement innovative programs and administer privately funded scholarship opportunities for students attending Texas independent colleges and universities, especially underserved student populations.
The Council of Independent Colleges is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities that has worked since 1956 to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of private higher education’s contributions to society. CIC also provides support to state associations that organize programs and generate contributions for their member colleges and universities, including the ICUT Foundation. For more information, visit www.cic.edu.