2008-2009 Scholars
The first Cowboy Spirit scholarship campaign funded four student scholarships. Below are the stories of two of these scholars.
Jillian Holzbauer has a bachelor’s degree in English, which she earned from OSU in 2009. The Cleveland, Okla., native received a Cowboy Spirit Scholarship during her final semester at Oklahoma State.
Jillian came to OSU in 2004 and although she had received several scholarships, many of them lasted only four years. This left her with even more financial responsibility during her last year of study. The Cowboy Spirit Scholarship helped lighten the load.
“Getting this scholarship allowed me to cut back my hours at work and to focus on my classes for my last semester at OSU,” Jillian says. “This scholarship represents students helping other students. Every little bit makes a difference to someone.”
Jillian’s goal in life is to inspire others to make the world a better place. With her OSU degree and philanthropic drive, she is well on her way to achieving that goal.
Kaylene Ullom graduated from OSU in 2009 with a degree in elementary education. She also received the Cowboy Spirit Scholarship during her last semester at OSU.
“This scholarship helped lift some of the financial burden of school,” Kaylene says. “By having this scholarship, I could focus on my student teaching rather than worry about the financial aspect of my time at OSU.”
Kaylene’s lifelong dream is to be an educator who is making a difference in the lives of others. Now that she has her degree, her goal is to use it while volunteering as a missionary in a foreign country. This scholarship inspired her to do even more to help others.
“I am very motivated by helping others,” Kaylene says. “I currently sponsor a young child in Africa, and with this scholarship, my money went even farther.”