This truth resonates with the founders of the Stena Foundation. As they began to pursue a college education, they found themselves constantly worried about financial pressures. Steve Smith, co-founder of the foundation, knew he did not have the funds to complete a 4-year degree, and he recognized his family could not offer him the financial support that was necessary. He felt school was important, but how could he seize the opportunity without the money he so desperately needed? His answer came in the form of a scholarship, and it changed his life.
There are hundreds and even thousands of students that are just like Steve, students that need additional funding to begin, continue, or complete their college education. A scholarship could very well change each of their lives.
In response to these students’ needs, Stena established the UPLIFT Scholarship. This scholarship specifically honors those students who embody Stena’s core values of UPLIFT. Recipients of this scholarship approach their education with Urgency, Purpose, Leverage, Insight, Focus, and Teamwork. The scholarship has been established at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business and is awarded to working students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or lower. In 2021, several students at the Eccles School were awarded the UPLIFT scholarship, receiving recognition for their efforts to rise up and elevate others along the way.
When asked how they felt about receiving the UPLIFT Scholarship, Ainu and Avila, both seniors at the University of Utah, immediately expressed gratitude and excitement.
“I was relieved and excited that I could tell my parents we don’t have to pay tuition this semester. And I was thankful for the opportunity that someone could see my potential and hard work and reward me with a scholarship.”
“I feel like this is a million-dollar opportunity, and here I am? I am the one who gets this opportunity?? It just really impacts the way I see myself and my future.”
“I was relieved and excited that I could tell my parents we don’t have to pay tuition this semester. And I was thankful for the opportunity that someone could see my potential and hard work and reward me with a scholarship.”
“I feel like this is a million-dollar opportunity, and here I am? I am the one who gets this opportunity?? It just really impacts the way I see myself and my future.”
The Stena Foundation plans to award these scholarships annually and is hopeful that their contributions will UPLIFT students and communities for years to come.
Sabrina works as a Communications and Program Specialist for the Stena Foundation. She is passionate about curating data-driven and impact-focused stories that highlight the people and communities Stena strives to uplift. She hopes her words will inspire and empower others to find solutions to systemic social issues and seek to do good, better.
We’re doing some amazing things and are excited to partner with like-minded individuals. Add the Stena Foundation to your inbox today for updates on our work and upcoming partnership opportunities.
We’re doing some amazing things and are excited to partner with like-minded individuals. Contact the Stena Foundation at marketing@stenafoundation.org or follow us on social media for updates on our work and upcoming partnership opportunities.
We are all team members and each one of us is equally important to attaining our goals. Words matter. How we treat each other matters. You can’t expect to make a positive impact on the world without first attending to your stakeholders, partners, and mission-focused communities.
The ability to hone in on a task, and to make every minute matter is what turns insight into action. When we choose to focus, we make the best use of our time and resources.
We practice constant curiosity and have a passion for research and data-driven solutions. It is imperative that we take the time to analyze each step we take and look for learning opportunities. This approach will ultimately drive the greatest degree of mission focused impact.
We recognize that we can’t succeed alone. Leverage is about finding the most efficient way to partner with our networks and to use our resources to achieve our goals.
We must understand the why and strive to do the right thing every time. Our mission is firmly front and center. Always.
