Trine student Laci Roy one of 28 recognized for ‘Realizing the Dream’

INDIANAPOLIS — Laci Roy, a Trine University sophomore from Ligonier, Indiana, majoring in biology, was one of 28 first-generation Indiana college students named as a “Realizing the Dream” recipient by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).

The scholarship recipients, one from each of Indiana’s private, non-profit colleges and universities, were celebrated at a banquet along with educators who inspired them on Feb. 28 at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis.

Honor student advocate

Roy selected Victoria Replogle, her seventh-grade English teacher at West Noble Middle School.

“(Mrs. Replogle) advocated for me to become an honor student at West Noble even though I was unable to pass the test to get into the program,” Roy recalled in a video created for the event. “Because of her advocating for me, I became an honor student and I graduated third in my class with numerous dual credits that would not have been available to me if it had not been for her.”

Both Roy and Replogle attended the event.

Roy is in Trine’s direct admit program for physician assistant studies and plans to become a physician assistant. She has received Dean’s List or President’s List honors each semester she has been at Trine.

“Changing lives by practicing medicine has been my dream for years now,” she said in a video she made for the event. “Without education, a career in the medical field is really just not an option.”

Coming from a single-parent home, Roy said attending a private university seemed unrealistic.

“I realized that the education and personal experiences that I would gain at Trine outweighed the expenses,” she said.

Lilly grant

Made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the scholarship program annually recognizes first-generation college students from ICI colleges and universities. Students are selected for the $5,000 awards for outstanding achievement as they successfully advance toward completing their bachelor’s degrees.

To honor recipients, ICI created individual videos of each student describing what it means to them to be a first-generation college student and thanking the influential educator they have chosen to honor. Videos can be found at icindiana.org/rtd. 

“Thanks to the continued support of Lilly Endowment, we get the opportunity to hear the inspiring stories of these first-generation students and the impact local educators have had on their drive to succeed academically,” said Dottie L. King, ICI’s president and CEO. “These scholarship awards will provide critical support for these young people who are dreaming of future success.” 

In addition to the students’ scholarship awards, ICI recognized the influential educators with $1,000 in professional development grants to celebrate the teachers and mentors whose guidance, encouragement and belief in their students help make college access and completion possible for first-generation scholars.

About Independent Colleges of Indiana

Independent Colleges of Indiana serves as the collective voice for the state’s 28 private, non-profit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. Although the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.