When Rochester High School graduate Alyssa Winterhalder sets foot on Oakland University’s campus this fall to begin her college career, it will be the realization of her lifelong dream. Winterhalder is the recipient of the Patrick and Christie Scoggin Foundation Scholarship, a full-tuition award that eases financial constraints that she once thought were insurmountable.
“I have always wanted to attend Oakland University, but ever since I was old enough to realize the price of college, I have wondered if it would be something that’s possible for me,” says Winterhalder. She will be studying nursing, a field that holds special significance for her and her family.
“My father was in an extreme accident before I was born, which resulted in him being in a coma for weeks and having an everlasting brain injury. He had to go through lots of physical therapy,” she explains. “Because of this, I have an interest in the medical field and want to help others, just like the doctors and nurses who helped my father.”
The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of Patrick and Christie Scoggin who established the fund, formerly named the Huntington Ford Scholarship, nine years ago. The scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming OU freshman from Rochester Adams, Avondale, Rochester or Stoney Creek high schools. Applicants are evaluated based on financial need, academic performance and extracurricular involvement.
“My wife and I are really passionate about education and providing these scholarships is one of the proudest things we have done,” says Patrick Scoggin, whose wife Christie is a former teacher. “We tell the students the best way to thank us is to pay it forward; help someone out when you have the opportunity.”
The full-tuition scholarship is renewable for an additional three years for recipients who continue to demonstrate financial need, complete full-time credits during each fall and winter semester, and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Winterhalder is grateful to be this year’s recipient of the Scoggin Scholarship.
“I want to be able to change peoples’ lives for the better every day. Receiving this award allows me to go to college to get an education and pursue this dream career of mine.”
To learn more about supporting student scholarships, visit oakland.edu/giving.
June 19, 2020
By Catherine Ticer
