Since 1996, the Legacy of Heroines program has provided a number of scholarships to women who seek involvement in and knowledge about the political process and public service. Each scholarship has specific criteria determined by the donor, and all applicants must demonstrate academic achievement and leadership experience.
Each student selected receives a one-time scholarship divided between the fall and spring semesters. Students may renew their scholarships if funds are available and the criteria continue to be fulfilled.
Students in the program are offered a variety of opportunities that include trips to the state capitol, dinners with guest speakers, leadership development programs and mentoring. Scholars also are given the special opportunity to meet with their donor(s).
Returning scholars are:
Jane Kersch is a senior from Dubuque, Iowa, majoring in global resource systems, political science and sustainability. She has been a Rice-Neville Legacy of Heroines scholar since 2014. Kersch has been a member of the Committee on Lectures for four years, is involved in political campaigning on campus, is a member of the Global Health & AIDS Coalition, and serves as a Student Government senator representing the United Residents of Off-Campus. She also sits on the board of directors for the United States Student Association, the country’s oldest, largest and most inclusive national student-led organization. The association develops current and future leaders and amplifies the student voice at the local, state and national levels by mobilizing grassroots power to win concrete victories on student issues. The Rice-Neville scholarship is funded by Dianne and Keith Bystrom of Ames, Iowa.
Krista Klocke, a senior from Ames, Iowa, is majoring in speech communication and communication studies with a minor in psychology and a certificate in leadership studies. She has been a Phyllis Davis Legacy of Heroines scholar since 2013. Klocke has attended many Catt Center programs and stays active on campus. She is a member of Iowa State’s Honors Program, currently serves as vice president of the Communications Studies Club, and is working as one of the international first-year experience coordinators for the International Students and Scholars Office. Klocke also is active in the Ames community and is involved with her church as a Sunday school teacher. The Phyllis Davis scholarship is supported by multiple donors in memory of Davis.
Veronica Middlebrooks, is a senior from Chicago, Illinois, majoring in biology with a certificate in leadership studies. She has been an Elverna Christian Legacy of Heroines scholarship recipient since 2013. Middlebrooks participates in many Catt Center events and other campus leadership programs, such as the Social Justice Summit. She is a peer mentor for the Bridging Opportunities in Leadership and Diversity learning community and a team leader for Destination Iowa State. Middlebrooks will graduate in December. The Elverna Christian Legacy of Heroines scholarship is supported by Darleane Hoffman of Oakland, California.
Melissa Moy, is a junior from Aurora, Illinois, with a major in biology and a certificate in leadership studies. She has been a recipient of the Helen Jensen Howe Legacy of Heroines Scholarship for Women in Science since 2013. Moy is a member of and mentor for Iowa State’s Honors Program and, for the past one and one-half years, has been an undergraduate research assistant studying the population genetics of white-tailed deer across the Midwest region. This semester, she is beginning research in a new lab studying developmental biology. Moy is a student ambassador for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is involved in her church, and volunteers at the Naperville (Illinois) Area Humane Society each summer. The Helen Jensen Howe scholarship is supported by Helen Jensen Howe of Muscatine, Iowa.
Kathleen Roberts, a senior from Wykoff, Minnesota, who is majoring in math and Spanish, is the returning Beth Bierbaum Legacy of Heroines scholar. She is a community adviser for Martin Starbucks, a Destination Iowa State leader and participates in the ISU Navigators Club. Roberts has attended workshops and lectures on campus that encourage women to seek education and gainful employment to potentially run for political office. This past summer, she completed a summer internship with United Health Group in St. Paul, Minnesota, in its information technology department. The Beth Bierbaum scholarship is supported by Beth Bierbaum of Wellesley, Massachusetts.
Jeane Robles, a junior in genetics from West Des Moines, Iowa, is a returning recipient of the Helen Jensen Howe Legacy of Heroines Scholarship for Women in Science. She has been involved in campus through various clubs and opportunities such as serving as an orientation leader; a Cyclone Aide; a member of the NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, undergraduate fellows program; and as a research assistant in a neuroscience lab. Robles also is a peer mentor for two learning communities. The Helen Jensen Howe scholarship is supported by Helen Jensen Howe of Muscatine, Iowa.
Maddison Shrader, a senior from Tiffin, Iowa, who is majoring in political science and environmental studies, has been an Elverna Christian Legacy of Heroines scholar since 2013. She is involved with Catt Center activities and is active on campus. Shrader interned at the Iowa House of Representatives and is a member of the Iowa State Democrats. She is involved in Iowa State’s Hip Hop Club and works at Reiman Gardens. Shrader will graduate in December. The Elverna Christian scholarship is supported by Darleane Hoffman of Oakland, California.
Lissandra Villa, a senior from Webster City, Iowa, who is majoring in journalism and mass communication and political science, has been an Elverna Christian Legacy of Heroines scholar since 2013. In 2014-2015, she worked as a student research assistant for the Catt Center’s Archives of Women’s Political Communication. Villa has served as Iowa State’s student liaison on the Ames City Council; is a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority; has been an editor for the Iowa State Daily; and is the founder and editor-in-chief of Iowa State’s new political magazine, Veritas. The Elverna Christian scholarship is supported by Darleane Hoffman of Oakland, California.
New scholars are:
Jessica Bales, a senior from Clive, Iowa, who is majoring in political science and public relations, is an Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian R. Binger Legacy of Heroines scholar. She participated in the Army ROTC, was a team captain of an all-female Ranger Challenge team and was second-in-command of the Cadets Against Sexual Harassment and Assault. Bales is a member of the Iowa National Guard and serves as the media/spirit/web chair of Iowa State’s Lunabotics Club. She has been a public relations intern for the Iowa Coalition against Sexual Assault and worked on Brad Anderson’s 2014 campaign for Iowa secretary of state. The Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian R. Binger scholarship is supported by Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian Binger of Ames, Iowa.
Carmen Ballagan, a senior from Urbandale, Iowa, who is majoring in speech communication and criminal justice with a minor in leadership studies, is a Rice-Neville Legacy of Heroines scholar. She is a community adviser in Lyon Hall and vice president of the Womyn of Colour organization. Ballagan hopes to continue to make the Dean’s List while at Iowa State and attend law school after graduation. The Rice-Neville scholarship is supported by Dianne and Keith Bystrom of Ames, Iowa.
Vivian Cook, a sophomore from Ames, Iowa, with majors in performing arts and French, is the recipient of the Lauri K. and James R. Young Legacy of Heroines scholarship. She is a member of the Honors Program, the 2014-2015 President’s Leadership Class and the Cantamus Women’s Choir and served as a team leader for Destination Iowa State. Cook has been house and assistant managers and a cast member of ISU Theatre productions. She plans to continue studying theatre, literature and cultural studies as well as travel as she prepares for a future career in theatre and film. The Lauri K. and James R. Young scholarship is supported by Lauri and James Young of Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Carly Crist, a senior from Johnston, Iowa, majoring in psychology, is a Phyllis Davis Legacy of Heroines scholar. She is involved with Iowa State’s Office of Admissions as a student caller and student representative. Crist also is an ambassador for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and the Pre-Law Club. After graduating from Iowa State, she plans to attend law school, pass the bar exam, work as a defense attorney and then eventually become a judge. The Phyllis Davis scholarship is supported by multiple donors in memory of Davis.
Caitlin Deaver, a junior from Knoxville, Iowa, majoring in journalism and mass communication, is an Elverna Christian Legacy of Heroines scholar. She has served as the director of visual media for Iowa State’s Student Government, is public relations co-chair for the Iowa State Bacon Expo, and is a marketing and communications intern for Iowa State Live Green! Deaver is a former assistant news editor and reporter, covering the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, for the Iowa State Daily and was the graphic designer for Frederiksen Court during the 2015 spring semester. The Elverna Christian scholarship is supported by Darleane Hoffman of Oakland, California.
Rachel Jones, a junior from Windsor, Colorado, majoring in kinesiology and health and Spanish, is the Katherine Bruntlett Annin Legacy of Heroines scholar. She is a member of Iowa State’s Honors Program and the Gamma Sigma Alpha honor society. Jones has been involved with many clubs and organizations on campus, including Pre-Occupational Therapy Club and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She also serves as a mentor for Youth and Shelter Services. After graduating from Iowa State, Jones hopes to attend graduate school to become an occupational therapist. The Katherine Bruntlett Annin scholarship is supported by Annin’s estate.
Angela Katoski, a senior from Duluth, Minnesota, majoring in civil engineering, is the first Joanne and Charles Kuster Legacy of Heroines scholar. She has been a peer mentor, treasurer and fundraising chair for Emerging Leaders in Engineering; is an active fundraiser and participant in Dance Marathon; and is a member of the Master of Business Administration Association. Katoski plans to graduate from Iowa State in spring 2017 with a master’s degree in business and a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering. She hopes to become a structural engineer, work her way into a project management position and eventually own an engineering firm. The Joanne and Charles Kuster scholarship is supported by Joanne and Charles Kuster of Johnston, Iowa.
Mica Magtoto, a sophomore from Ames, Iowa, who is majoring in nutritional sciences and international agriculture, is a new recipient of the Helen Jensen Howe Legacy of Heroines Scholarship for Women in Science. She served as the social justice co-chair of Freshmen Council and attended the Iowa State Leadership Experience and Social Justice Summit last fall. After graduating from Iowa State, Magtoto plans to attend graduate school in pursuit of a master’s degree and doctorate in public health. She hopes her experience with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Disease Center as a biological science trainee in swine vaccine development will lead to a post-doc working for government. The Helen Jensen Howe scholarship is supported by Helen Jensen Howe of Muscatine, Iowa.
Amelia Medici, a senior from Ames, Iowa, majoring in industrial engineering, is the first Meylor Family Legacy of Heroines scholar. Active on campus, she has served as a Cyclone Aide for new student programs, president of Delta Zeta sorority and vice president of judicial affairs on the Collegiate PanHellenic Council. Medici also was a member of the Engineering Student Council, where she planned events, worked with students to ensure their voices were heard and was part of a team to bring interesting academic events to members. The Meylor Family scholarship is supported by Sharon Haselhoff of Larchwood, Iowa.
Shelby Perkins is a senior from Cleghorn, Iowa, majoring in communications studies with a double emphasis in business management and speech communication and a certificate in leadership studies. She is a recipient of the Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian R. Binger Legacy of Heroines scholarship. Perkins is a shelter program assistant for ACCESS (Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support), where she is in charge of managing the 24-hour crisis line. She hopes to use her leadership skills to start conversations with fellow Iowa State students, residents of Ames, and family and friends to break down stigmas and create a more understanding environment for survivors of domestic violence. The Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian R. Binger scholarship is supported by Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian Binger of Ames, Iowa.
Jennifer Poncelet, a junior from Spirit Lake, Iowa, who is majoring in kinesiology and health, is a recipient of the Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian R. Binger Legacy of Heroines scholarship. In 2014-2015, she participated in the LAS Dean’s Leadership Seminar and currently serves as a co-leader for first-year students in the Honors Program. Poncelet also serves on the Philanthropy Committee of Freshmen Council. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in physical therapy or medicine. The Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian R. Binger scholarship is supported by Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian Binger of Ames, Iowa.
Rachel Schroeder, a senior from Mount Vernon, Iowa, who is pursuing a major in psychology and minors in biology and women’s and gender studies, is the first recipient of the Haselhoff Family Legacy of Heroines scholarship. She has participated in the Women’s Leadership Retreat and the Iowa State Leadership Experience and serves as the vice president of Iowa State’s College Democrats. After graduating from Iowa State, Schroeder plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a focus in women’s cognitive health involving sex-based differences in neurodegenerative diseases. The Haselhoff Family scholarship is supported by Sharon Haselhoff of Larchwood, Iowa.
Nicole Schubert is a first-year student in Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine from Rockford, Iowa. She is a recipient of the Rice-Neville Legacy of Heroines scholarship. Schubert graduated from Iowa State in May 2015 with a degree in animal ecology and a minor in animal science. During her undergraduate years at ISU, she was involved in her sorority, Phi Beta Chi; the Beta Beta Beta biological honor society; and the Pre-Vet Club. Schubert also was the head teaching assistant for two semesters for the animal science, domestic animal anatomy and physiology class and has been able to participate in three study abroad courses. The Rice-Neville scholarship is supported by Dianne and Keith Bystrom of Ames, Iowa.
Jessica Taylor is a junior from West Des Moines, Iowa, who is majoring in political science; child, adult and family services; and religious studies with minors in leadership studies, speech communication and women’s and gender studies. She is the recipient of the Jane Greimann Legacy of Heroines scholarship. Taylor serves as a teaching assistant for the computer science department, is a member of the Pre-Law Club and Political Science Club, and volunteers as a court-appointed special advocate in Polk County representing foster children in court. After graduation from Iowa State, she hopes to attend Drake University Law School and complete a dual program where she can earn her Juris Doctor and a master’s degree in social work. The Jane Greimann scholarship is supported by Lowell Greimann of Ames, Iowa.