The Forward, Together Forward Scholarship has been awarded to five students.

In the wake of the tragedy that befell NIU on Feb. 14, 2008, a new scholarship was created. The five recipients for the 2013-2014 academic year are Taylor Bogan, Caitlin Cavannaugh, Guadalupe Lopez, Sarah Pollack and Evan Wittke.

“Shortly after the tragic events on 2.14.08 there was an overwhelming outpouring of support not just from the NIU community but from around the country and beyond,” Anne Hardy, director of the Scholarship Office, said in an email. “The university decided to create a scholarship endowment. To date, over 1,800 people have donated to the fund which now totals over $700,000. As an endowed fund, this account also returns profits each year if the market is favorable.”

Each year, five recipients are awarded a one-time scholarship of $4,000.

“It’s a big honor,” said Evan Wittke, junior anthropology and biology major and scholarship recipient. “It’s kind of an affirmation of all the stuff I’ve been doing. To have someone recognize you for your effort is a big boost to your future effort because you have seen the recognition before and know what it means. To me, it’s a recognition of the lives lost on Feb. 14, a realization that these students had so much potential, so much love for life.”

Hardy explained that there is a lengthy process and certain attributes that candidates need in order to earn the prestigious scholarship.

“This scholarship is based on character,” Hardy said in an email. “Not only do students need to have a cumulative NIU GPA of 2.5, but they need to embody characteristics such as a strong work ethic, motivation, inspiration, high regard for others, integrity, and intellectual curiosity, Past recipients have been very involved on campus and/or in the community and have been committed to making a difference in the world.”

The application process requires several steps, including submitting three essays and two recommendations. The selection takes about four months. A faculty committee reviews the applications and selects finalists to interview. Candidates meet with a selection committee before the recipients are chosen.

“To me, it’s an honor to receive the award because of what it symbolizes: the loss of students in 2008,” Bogan said. “It’s definitely going to keep me more humble because not only is winning the scholarship an honor, but it reminds me of what happened to those students,”

Daihee Cho, senior accounting major and finance minor, received the scholarship last year.

“It was a great motivation, a great opportunity to meet the Huskie community,” Cho said. “I believe that it was not a one-day recognition. I believe it is a lifelong recognition, so I still keep in contact with the family members. I send an email maybe two or three times a year so I can keep them updated on how I’m doing at NIU.”

In honor of those who lost their lives on Feb. 14, 2008, there will be a presentation of memorial wreaths at 3 p.m. on Feb. 14 at the Forward, Together Forward Memorial Garden. All five of this year’s winners will take part in the ceremony.

For more information, contact the Scholarship Office at 815-753-4829 or visit www.niu.edu/scholarships.