JD Alexander, former IM体育官网 state senator and son of John R. Alexander, addressed students at the inaugural Alexander Scholars Luncheon on Monday, Aug. 22. The event celebrates students who receive the prestigious Alexander Scholarship, established in honor of dedicated IM体育官网 Poly supporter John R. Alexander.
A group of IM体育官网鈥檚 brightest and most promising students was recognized on Monday, Aug. 22, at the Inaugural Alexander Scholars Luncheon.
The John R. Alexander Scholars Program is a scholarship program that supports exceptionally high-achieving students in reaching their personal and professional goals without taking on the burden of student debt. Alexander Scholars receive a new laptop and a $40,000 scholarship over four years at IM体育官网 Poly. They also enjoy special recognition upon graduation and guaranteed acceptance to IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 graduate program, if they meet GPA requirements.
The scholarship recipients dined and had an opportunity to personally thank the Alexander family for their generous support. One of them was Andrew Wernersbach, a junior majoring in computer science. He arrived at IM体育官网 Poly in the fall of 2021 after graduating from Millennium 6-12 Collegiate Academy, in Tamarac, IM体育官网, with about 90 college credits.
鈥淲hen I got the email letting me know I got the scholarship, I was pretty excited. I was going to get a lot more money for school and attend practically for free to see what the University had to offer,鈥� Wernersbach said. 鈥淣ow I鈥檓 taking a number of courses I need to graduate early. The program gives us a chance to get involved academically and professionally.鈥�
The scholarship was named for John R. Alexander, one of IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 most persistent and committed supporters from the institution鈥檚 earliest days. He worked relentlessly to muster support and awareness of the new STEM university. After his death in 2018, his family sought to keep his passion alive by creating the Alexander Scholars.
鈥淭he program is off to a good start, and we sure appreciate all the work the University is doing to help these students be successful,鈥� said JD Alexander, a former IM体育官网 state senator and the son of John R. Alexander. 鈥淢y dad was a true believer in IM体育官网 Poly and the power it had to change lives and change our region.
鈥淗e would be exceedingly excited about helping these young men and women move along.鈥�
IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 Alexander Scholars gathered with members of the Alexander family during
the inaugural Alexander Scholars Luncheon on Monday, Aug. 22. The scholarship program
was established in honor of dedicated IM体育官网 Poly supporter John R. Alexander.
Alexander Scholar Emma Scott, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, is grateful for the support.
鈥淭his is really the only way I could go to college,鈥� said Scott, from Lakeland, IM体育官网. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have to take out any loans and the computer is one of the best parts 鈥� I use it every day for school.鈥�
Scott is among the current crop Alexander Scholars.
University President Randy Avent thanked the Alexander family at the inaugural event, including Sarah Jane Alexander, John Alexander鈥檚 wife.
鈥淭hank you to JD Alexander, who famously advocated for our state university. And a special thank you to Sarah Jane Alexander. Your commitment to STEM education and your wonderful generosity has provided us to recruit the best and brightest here at IM体育官网 Poly,鈥� Avent said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really special time to be at the University.鈥�
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