KOKOMO, Ind. — An Indiana University Kokomo student leader represented an elite group of IU seniors, as one of 30 recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Service Award (DASA) grants.
Bailey Troutman, from Lapel, spoke on behalf of all of the student award winners, during a reception honoring them in Bloomington. She and the other honorees each received a $2,500 scholarship for the spring 2018 semester.
For Troutman, the scholarship made her feel like part of the overall IU family.
“This scholarship made me realize that IU cares about its students, on every campus,” she said. “It’s a university for all, regardless of where you are, and IU wants to recognize all of its students who work hard and are dedicated. It’s just all about being an IU student.”
Troutman, a communication arts major who graduates in May, serves as student body president and was a founding member of the IU Kokomo golf team. She is a student worker for alumni relations, and is the only student on the IU Alumni Association Board of Managers.
In that position, she networks with students on all IU campuses, and then shares student perspective on issues during Board of Managers meetings.
“It’s helped me network with so many different alumni, and helped me understand what it means to attend IU, and to be an alumna,” she said.
Benjamin Liechty, IU Kokomo’s director of alumni relations and campus ceremonies, called Troutman “the perfect representative of the IU student as a whole, and also a wonderful example of an IU Kokomo student.
“Her drive and passion to succeed will serve her well in any career path she chooses,” he said. “She is a high-achieving student, who is not afraid to step up to any challenge and face it head-on.”
The grants are based on academic achievement, and are funded solely by personal donations from the elite group of alumni who have received Distinguished Alumni Service Awards, the university’s highest award given to an alumna or alumnus. Grant recipients were honored as part of IU’s Homecoming Celebration.
Troutman was honored to receive the award, which is funded solely by personal donations from the elite group of alumni who have received Distinguished Alumni Service Awards, the university’s highest award given to an alumna or alumnus.
“Their efforts have directly impacted my life, and I haven’t even graduated yet,” Troutman said. “It’s a privilege to be among alumni of the caliber, and to know they care about the students who are the future alumni.”
She already plans to stay involved as an alumna after she graduates.
“It feels like IU has made an investment in me, and I’m going to translate it into an investment back into IU,” she said. “I want to stay involved and make sure I am giving back of my time and talent, and hopefully one day my treasure.”
DASA members present the scholarships annually to IU seniors who meet academic standards, who have been involved on their campuses, and who have not previously received any IU grants or scholarships.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.