Trine student Madison Kickbush announced as national scholarship recipient

Sixty-seven students across the nation were recently selected to receive scholarships from Phi Eta Sigma National Freshman Honor Society. One of those scholarship winners is Trine University’s Madison Kickbush.

Phi Eta Sigma was founded in 1923 at the University of Illinois to encourage and reward high scholastic achievement among members of the freshman classes. Today, Phi Eta Sigma supports more than 175 active chapters across the nation.

In 1940, the Honor Society established its Founders Fund to award scholarships to students at the national level. This year, Phi Eta Sigma awarded $300,000 in scholarships at the national level.

Kickbush was selected as one of Phi Eta Sigma’s 21 Elevation Scholars, received a $1,000 scholarship, and was featured in the Society’s latest magazine.

This news was “wonderful” yet “not surprising” to Tony Kline, Ph.D., vice president of academic affairs, who stated that Kickbush’s “initiative and drive have been evident.”

Kickbush is a junior from Valparaiso, Indiana, studying English education at Trine University.

“I want to become a teacher because every student deserves the chance to learn but also be loved, and I know I can confidently do both,” Kickbush said.

She is also a member of Theta Phi Alpha Women’s Fraternity and currently resides as President of The Society of Future Educators organization on campus. She previously held the leadership position of President of Trine’s Phi Eta Sigma Chapter, but now serves as the Society’s Senior Advisor.