News and Knowledge

OAR takes great pleasure in announcing the recipients of the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship and Schwallie Family Scholarship for 2017. The two scholarships attracted over 400 applicants and the 39 awards total $120,000. Through this program, OAR has now provided scholarships to 269 students with autism diagnoses – a total financial contribution of $818,500 since the program started in 2007.

The announcement of this year’s awards is particularly notable because of the recent death of Edward H. Schwallie. A member emeritus of OAR’s board of directors, Schwallie created the Schwallie Family Scholarship in 2007. “This year’s OAR Schwallie Scholarship has particular significance for our family with the recent passing of our father, Edward Schwallie, on Father’s Day,” notes his son and member of the review committee, Chris Schwallie. “He dedicated his life to improving the lives of people with autism. It’s with great pride that our family continues to honor his enduring legacy through these scholarships.”

Both scholarships provide one-time $3,000 awards to students with autism diagnoses pursuing post-secondary education at a variety of different institutions. This year, OAR is awarding 20 Schwallie Family Scholarships to students attending four-year and two-year colleges as well as 19 Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarships. Hussman Scholarships are awarded to students who will be attending four-year or two-year colleges, vocational/technical schools, or co-operative life skills programs.

To be eligible for one of the scholarships, an applicant must have a confirmed autism diagnosis (DSM-IV or later), be accepted for enrollment in the fall 2017 and spring 2018 semesters, and submit three short personal essays along with an application form and recommendation letter. The selection committees are made up of members of OAR’s board of directors, representatives of the Schwallie and Hussman families, and selected parent volunteers.

The 2017 recipients are:

Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarships

Jabreel N. Brandon, University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Colby Edward Childers, Winthrop University

Ashley Coffey, Gallaudet University

Gemma A. Guthrie, Minnesota Life College

Conor Bradford Howard, University of Central Missouri

Noah E. Hrynewych, University of North Carolina, Greensboro

William Keavey, College of Charleston

Grant Kovas, Winthrop University

Edward M. Manville, Wake Tech Community College

Sunny Meadows, Clemson LIFE Program

Peyton Miller, Harrisburg Area Community College

Demarcus Mobley, University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Cory Oshay Neely, University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Rane Newcomb, Jackson College

Brodie James Rawson, Mississippi State University

Tamera Robinson, Harper College

Wayne Rosenfeld, Chapel Haven

Halle Solstis, University of Central Missouri

Josiah Vega, Florida State University

Schwallie Family Scholarships

Brandon D. Beltran, Florida Atlantic University

Peyton Berardi, Southern Illinois University, Evansville

Jessica Bonner, Southern New Hampshire University

Raven C. Brock, Rochester Institute of Technology

Adrian Cohen, Berklee College of Music

Matthew Conrad, Rivier University

Sara Cooley, Colorado State University

Jacob Coughenour, Frostburg State University

Nicholas Aaron Diehl, Pittsburgh Technical College

Giselle Epstein, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Meghan Hochhalter, Columbia College Chicago

Justin Krejcha, Portland State University

Max Leibowitz, University of Arizona

Benjamin Mowrey, Sacred Heart University

Bryce Norden, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

Thomas Ray-Smith, University of Maine, Machias

Andrea Rose, Tufts University

Lauren Roth, Ball State University

Cooper Stanley, Rose State College

Shane Warren, SUNY Delhi

OAR congratulates each of the 39 recipients listed and extends its gratitude once again to the Lisa Higgins Hussman Foundation and the Schwallie Family Foundation. These scholarships would not be possible without their generous support.