Generosity and gratitude converged inside the Southwell Complex on Tuesday, April 14, during Columbia College’s fourth Celebration of Philanthropy Luncheon.
The event provided an opportunity to recognize the contributors who support student scholarships. During the celebration, supporters, scholarship recipients, faculty, staff and administrators shared a meal while discussing their Cougar connections.
Donors provided nearly $1.3 million toward scholarships benefiting more than 200 students in 2025-26.
“Your philanthropy truly is transformative and leans into our mission of educating students in a way that helps them lead lives of purpose,” President Dr. Toby Arquette told contributors in the room. “Thank you for ongoing support of our students nationwide and the opportunities available to them at Columbia College.”
Vice President for Advancement Greg Hulen announced three new donor-funded scholarships in support of CC students. The new scholarships include the Dillingham Family Current-Use Scholarship, the Elliott Family Scholarship and the Machens Scholarship.
To conclude the program, Evening Program student Urshula Winston joined Day Program students Whitney Shinn and Nick Hunkins as part of a panel discussion.
The students spoke about their experiences at CC and expressed gratitude to the people who have made their academic pathway possible.
Winston, of Columbia, described her journey as an adult learner balancing full-time work and motherhood while pursuing her Psychology degree to further her career.
“Columbia College offered a great program that would allow me to focus on my children and still be able to focus on my studies,” Winston said. “I’ve learned a lot of things and I’ve gotten to work with a lot of great people, so CC was just for me.”
Winston thanked donor Carla McFarland for funding the Barnhouse Memorial Scholarship that she received for the second straight year, adding it has “set a standard in my life and really helped a lot.”
“It’s very important and very impactful that you all take your time and your money and you give it to students like us to help them prevail through life,” Winston said.
Shinn, a native of Monroe City, Missouri, told the audience of her involvement in student leadership, including as a First-Year Mentor. She is studying Chemistry with aspirations of becoming an analytical chemist.
“The most impactful thing that I have found is being involved on campus,” Shinn said of her CC experience. “It continues to make me want to push further and continue my education.”
Shinn is the recipient of the Coffey-Poehlein Family Scholarship.
“Thank you so much,” she said. “It really is truly meaningful and impactful. You allow us as students to become who we are meant to be, to continue forward and to flourish.”
Hunkins, a native of Pacific, Missouri, recalled having “no idea” what path he wanted to take upon arriving to campus before learning of his love for communication and marketing. He now aspires to work in the sports industry.
“I’m really happy I picked this college because now I really know what I want to pursue,” said Hunkins, who is majoring in Communication Studies. “When I look back, my favorite memories are the people I have met.”
Hunkins is the recipient of the Robert Ebersol Scholarship.
“I think I speak for all the students here when I say we really, really appreciate what you do for us and this college,” he said. “The money is helpful, but it’s not just the money. It’s knowing that we have people who are here to support us and back us.
“It makes me want to do the same thing when I am older, and I hope to continue that cycle.”
Below is a full list of scholarships and awards as well as the 2025-26 student recipients. If you would like to contribute to any of these funds, you may do so by visiting my.ccis.edu/GiveNow or calling the Office of Development at (573) 875-7563.
OUSLEY FAMILY VETERANS SERVICE CENTER MILITARY AWARDS
Alan Harris – Missouri Veterans’ Assistance Scholarship
Corwyn Gentry
Andrew Helmreich – Spirit of the Warrior Memorial
Xavia Cullers
Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee Scholarship
Geremy McCray
Brent Kieser
Areya Berry
Linda Cunningham
Col. Mike Randerson Scholarship
Zach Cole
Scott Torchenot
Columbia College – SALUTE Veterans Scholarship
Dajera McMillion
Dr. Calvin S. Posner ’76 Military Award
Karen Rodriguez-Osorio
Jennifer Casicana-Analuisa
George H. Ousley Jr. and Gayleen Ousley Veterans Scholarship
Sebastian Gunther
Olivia Adams
Gregory MacAulay
Tyler Parker
John Richeson
Landon Miller Endowment for Veterans
Ranen Higgins
Jeffrey Houpt
Lee Terry Russell – Military Spouse Scholarship
Shannon Anderson
Nicole Gonzales
Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo Endowed Scholarship
David Sheets
—
ATHLETICS AWARDS
Andrea Lee Paul Golf Scholarship
Elizabeth Bigler
Chuck Bobbitt Softball Scholarship
Taryn Hagardt
Bob Burchard Celebration of Excellence Scholarship
Kai Garriock
Burdette Frew Family Scholarship
Natalie Allison
—
STUDENT EXPERIENCE AWARDS
Coffey-Poehlein Family Scholarship
Whitney Shinn
Dr. Edward F. & Carol Alexander Coffman ’46 Scholarship
Issak Ruble
The Elizabeth Award
Emily Nunan
Faye Burchard Student Leadership Award
Xavier Jackson
Hamilton Leadership Award
Amanda Szydlowski
Lamplighter Christian Seekers Fund
Leilani Green
Robert Ebersol Scholarship
Nick Hunkins
—
SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
Academic Promise Scholarship
Annabeth Ohlau
Adam Staples
Blake Hartner
Bodie Rollins
Brooklyn Acock
Carlie Clark
Eleanor Schudel
Emerson Fansler
Heidi Wehmer
Adeline B. Storckman Scholarship
Kylie Michael
Alla Mae Baker Memorial Scholarship
Reyn Kiyota
Allene Preston Jones Scholarship Fund
Samantha Jefferson
Gracie Graham-Amos
Althea W. and John A. Schiffman Ethics, Religious Studies and Philosophy Scholarship
Evan Bartelt
Alyna Phillips
Iris Martin
Anthony S. Marshall Scholarship Award in Business Administration
Julian Greenwood
Anthony W. Rollins Award
Ellie Soderholm
Artie Mason Carter
Vanessa Kleen
Assistance League of Mid-Missouri Professional Achievement Scholarship
Rebecca Bailey
Raven Berry
Katelynn Eberhardt
Sarah Engbretsen
Ty’rell Griffith
Corbin Hardesty
Margaret House
James Snook
January Wadeen
Judy Walters
Valerie Welch
Barnhouse Memorial Scholarship
Urshula Winston
Bell Stixrud Legacy Scholarship
Josephine Bolling
Ben and Brooke Cameron Art Scholarship Fund
Kierstin Maddox
Betti Friedel Saunders Scholarship
Sophie Ling
Betty Adams Crouch Excellence in Business Scholarship
Jaden Anton
Betty Hanebaum Memorial Scholarship
Reese Erny
Boone County Endowed Scholarship
Kenedi Canty
Bowen and Virginia Rogers Scholarship
Megan Graver
Buena Ridenhour Lansford Scholarship in Business
Alexander Medina-Lucas
Hyuriel Garcia-Lopez
Silas Woodbury
Carol Ann Peck Hon. ’24 Archives Fund in Honor of Jane Froman, Class of 1926
Nevaeh Edgar
Carol Chatfield Frobish Scholarship
Natalie Bennett
Will Cherrington
Brynn Hanway
Madison Hasselbring
Greg Jones
Adam Sausele
Kenna Schmidt
Carol L. Coffman ’74 Scholarship
Candice Skinner
Miranda Boss
CCAA Scholars Program
Nichole (Signorelli) Byler
Sebastian (Damien) Gunther
Jacqueline Jensen
Dezeirai Lewis
Ashley Price
Shanise Redding
Aqura Roper
Sonam (Chhiring) Sherpa
Michael Terry
Caron Toney
Riley Wassilak
Callie Wright
Central Bank of Boone County Scholarship
Rosalie Schneider
Champions of Honor Faye Burchard Leadership Scholarship
Natalie Plaza Smither
Charles Craig Cates Jr. Scholarship for Mathematics
Oladeyo Oyediji
Class of 1939 Scholarship
Tessa Ryan
Mattie Wells
Emma Krigbaum
Sydney Eatson
Class of 1949 Scholarship
Jones Gregory
Computer Information and Science Scholarship
Luna Trask
Daisy Willis Grossnickle ’66 Educational Scholarship
Abigayle Owen
Daniel Scotten MBA Scholarship
Desaray Wilhite
David O’Hagan Music Scholarship
Gabriella Story
Dillingham Family Current-Use Scholarship
Andrela Heidelberg
Dillingham Family Scholarship Fund
Andrela Heidelberg
Desirae McCracken
Disciples of Christ Supplementary Award
Abby Tapp
Dorothy Bennett ’46 Scholarship
Paige Thielen
Dorothy Heinkel Endowment
Andrela Heidelberg
Dorothy Sappington Holsinger Memorial Scholarship
Camryn Swinfard
Dr. Jay A. Siegel Memorial Award
Marissa Sipe
Dr. Lawrence W. West Scholarship
Ellie Pezold
Dr. Robert “Bob” Boon Scholarship
Hayden Kramer
Dr. Ron D. Taylor Scholarship Fund
Hilary Nichols
Dr. Sally Hubbard ’57 Scholarship
Marianna Mick
Edgar Desmond Lee Scholarship
Allison Glenn
Elliott Family Scholarship
Isabelle Cole
Austin Jansen
Andrew Rudd
Madeline Williams
Kelly Welby
Elizabeth Estes Gentry Scholarship
Jasper Coalier
Eloise Green Bates Scholarship in the Arts
Serena Davis
Emelda B. Harris Scholarship
Heaven Moore
Estill H. and Patti R. Skinner Evening Campus Scholarship
Anthony Atkins
Evening Campus Scholarship
Adrianne Thompson
First Christian Church of Columbia, Missouri, Christian College Scholarship
Lexi Miller
Fisher Downing Memorial Endowment Fund
Sheldon Bergheger
Genevieve Koontz Buchanan Scholarship
Emily Nunan
George Ann and Sidney Larson Scholarship
Lily Bennett
George C. Miller Scholarship
Caleigh Huot
Georgia Kateman, RN Nursing Scholarship
Araceli Harris
Give Me Liberty History Scholarship
Isabelle Allen
Glenna Mae Kubach Accounting Scholarship
Elektra Thompson
Golden June March Palmer Scholarship
Layne Sanders
Grev Scholars Award Est. Mark A. Foreman
Emma Daniels
Gwenneth M. Pennington Brown Scholarship
Claudia Dixon
H. Jane Blackman M.D. ’64 Scholarship
Aubrey Maylee
Hartley G. Banks, Sr. Scholarship
Landon Rehg
Hattie and Richard Allen Scholarship
Langston Stroupe
Helen B. Maupin Scholarship
Alexis Mendez
Kiersten Vaughn
Brenden Hoffman
Helga S. Huang Scholarship
Kenedi Canty
Hoyt K. Hayes & Janice M. Reily Business Scholarship
Conner Diaz
Hulett Family Criminal Justice Graduate Study Scholarship
Deborah Boyanski
Jamaica Scott
Matthew Savallisch
Hulett Family Scholarship
Emma Shaner
Etta Bybee
Jaydon Walls
Tristan Pickett
Hurst John Scholarship
Laik Graham
Isabel Belcher Browning Memorial Scholarship
Christian Sutton
Jack and Polly Batterson Scholarship
Etcuban Ozart
James and Betty Allen Braham ’42 Music Scholarship
Kennedy Miller
James and Betty Allen Braham ’42 Science Scholarship
Gunner Oxford
James C. Miller Award
Ashtyn Klusmeyer
Jane Froman Smith Memorial Scholarship
Desirae McCracken
John and Sarah Yonker Religious Studies Scholarship
Evan Bartelt
Jolene Marra Schulz ’61 Scholarship
Bernard Bailey
Judy Carter Ely Scholarship
Nahjaesha Cross
Kitty Iglehart Smith Award
Nie Khan Thang
Kristin Michelle Harris Scholarship
Emme Crowe
Larry D. Dunham Memorial Scholarship
Kenna Schmidt
Leta Jones Spencer and George A. Spencer Memorial Scholarship
Samantha Grabner
Lieutenant Colonel Wayne E. Doherty, USAF, Retired, Nursing Scholarship
Marcia Harrison
Lois J. Erdman Award
Danielle Martin
Madeline Williams
Louise Leebrick Atterbury ’38 Music Scholarship
Gabriella Nielsen
Lucinda Van Meter Haynie Memorial Scholarship
Logan Alderman
Ryan Harvey
Noah Richardson
Mabel Bondurant Culpepper ’56 Art Scholarship
Mandy Szydlowski
Machens Scholarship
Yunaisy Gallardo
Margaret Courter Memorial Award
Cameron Elder
Marilyn Henderson Robbins ’43 Music Award
Cori Winkelman
Marion Lincoln Scholarship
Farah Fuller
Kiarah Morris
Mary Alice Robertson Simon-Merideth Scholarship
Bec Albritton
Mary Henrietta King Estill Award
Anthony Baffa
Mary Isabel Omer Scholarship
Tirzah Dodorico
Mary Jones Green Lozier Scholarship Fund
Jackson Forck
Gregory Lampe
Mary S. Miller Scholarship in Education
Samantha Moser
Mason L. Dean Trust Award
Marianna Tomc
Metscher Family Scholarship
Mia Kluck
MFA Scholars Endowment
Natalie Austin
Michael D. Lyman Criminal Justice Scholarship
Mason Duncan
Michael W. Calhoun Memorial Fund
Reese Erny
Nie Khan Thang
Xavier Hoos
Missouri Employers Mutual Scholarship
Makayla Heinrich
M.J. Walther Donnelly ’43 English Scholarship
Bridgett Catron
Mock Trial Association Award
Emma Winchester
Molly S. Thomas Bowden Memorial Scholarship
Roxx Snodderley
Sugar Sykes
Montgomery MBA Scholarship
Joseph Hoerchler
Nadria Leeann Wright Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Parker Henderson
Nettie Ashlock, Marion Hertig, Mary Paxton Keeley Scholarship
Tyler Wessing
Palozola Family Annual Award
Macie Garland
Penny Pitman ’65 Scholarship
Olivia Gledhill
Price-Lamke-Jennings-Bassett Scholarship
Jackson Seibert
Richard E. Harris Scholarship
Baylie Combs
Ridgeview Christian Church Scholarship
Lina Sparks
Robert and Maryellen Batt 1947 Scholarship
Brenley Webb
Roger and Rebecca Miller Scholarship
Adam Staples
Sally Old Houdayer ’57 Scholarship of Excellence
Yunaisy Gallardo
Saunders Family Nursing Endowment
Abigale Weber
Sheila L. Brynjulfson Memorial History Scholarship
Brenna Kaiser
Sidney Larson Student Art Award
Kellie Seiler
Sondra Duren Memorial Scholarship
Tiza Kampmann
Stedem Family Endowment
Zach Colench
Streeter-Marrero Scholarship
Maci Kloeppel
Sue Marshall Daulton ’45 Nursing Scholarship
Kristi Shawaluk
Thomas Jefferson History Scholarship
Dryst Bostick
Virginia Singletary Scholarship
Adrian Greenwood
Wagenknecht Lamm Wood Scholarship
Rhyleigh Wilson
Wilhelmina and Leonard Stuver Scholarship
Ellie Berendzen
William W. Payne English Award
Kennedy Miller
