GLENDORA, Calif.–America’s Christian Credit Union has awarded $30,000 in college scholarships for the 2019-2020 academic year. In keeping with its corporate priority of building stronger futures, the credit union said it has disbursed $5,000 apiece to six distinguished students who seek to create cultural impact through Christ-centered academic excellence.
When the clock struck 5 p.m. on the submission deadline, more than 100 applications had been received from across the nation. A vast majority of these were submitted via ACCU’s website. Using criteria such as academic achievement, response to prompt, and extracurricular activities to judge the applications, the scholarship committee selected the following winners:
- Business and Finance – Haidyn Chudy (Baylor University)
- Education – Thomas Messinger (Kansas University)
- Foster Youth or First Generation College – Daniel Hain (UC San Diego)
- Graduate or Postgraduate Studies – Gabriel Allaf (Liberty University)
- Math, Science, or Engineering – Mary Caswell (University of Florida)
- Social Science or Ministry – Leah Ginnon (Liberty University)
The scholarship recipients, who range in age from 18 to 29, represent a diverse mix of backgrounds, educational pursuits, and servant leadership experience. The three 18-year-old freshmen on the list—Haidyn, Leah, and Mary—each participated in multiple extracurricular activities at high school, while also maintaining their high GPAs. Haidyn plans to major in finance, Leah is studying digital communications, and Mary hopes to obtain a degree in nursing.
Since its inception in 2006, ACCU’s college scholarship program has helped almost 80 students across America. The credit union’s President and CEO, Mendell L. Thompson, reiterated the importance of supporting students with such awards. “Furthering their education allows them to deepen their understanding of God and the gifts He has blessed each individual with,” he said. “We want the students to develop these gifts so they can be used for His glory.”
ACCU’s AVP of HR, Richard Mathews, who served on the scholarship committee, was impressed with the candidates’ essays. “I wish we were able to reward them all,” he said ruefully. “The high quality of the application materials is testament to the ambition, passion, and piety of our distinguished ACCU scholars.”