Walmart Scholars
Spring 2011 Awardees
It is with pleasure that we introduce our Walmart Leadership in Technology and Innovation Awardees for Spring 2011. These students have shown exemplary dedication to their education and the community and we are proud of their accomplishments.
QUICK LINKS to awardee profiles:
| Samantha Cunning | Jennifer Dicochea | Emalia Fajardo | Jessica Foster |
| Britt Haugland | Sarah Ihns | Xin Jin | Shayan Parhite |
| Daniel Prieto | |||
| Michelle Vock | Mo Zhou |
Samantha Cunning, 2013, MIS/Accounting
Interests/Activities: Zipperman Scholar, Planned Parenthood of Arizona (Volunteer), full time student and mother.
Comment: "I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude in being presented this award. This scholarship will ensure that all the books and supplies I need for my education will be within financial reach."
Jennifer A. Dicochea, 2011, MIS/OM
Interests/Activities: Continental Ranch Little League (Treasurer and Board Member), Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society (Member), University of Arizona Honors College (Member), Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society (Member.)
Comment: "The past four years has been a very delicate balancing act for me; the workload that school brings, along with raising two children, who are now 15 and 7, can at times be trying. I am proud to say that despite these challenges, we have made it through these times; my children have a deep respect and will for education. Your generous donation will make a difference, not only in my life, but for my sons as well. Words cannot express my immense gratitude for your generous support!"
Interests/Activities: Zipperman Scholar, Students for Sustainability (Internship), Women's Club Volleyball (Secretary.)
Comment: "It is truly an honor to be chosen for this award especially considering the large number of applicants. I am currently majoring in Management Information Systems and will soon add another major of Operations Management. In my future career, I hope to work in Database Administration or in Artificial Intelligence. The scholarship you have awarded me with will greatly help in the continuation of my education."
Interests/Activities: Eller College Philanthropy, Chi Omega Fraternity, S.M.O.R.E.S (Sophomore Honorary Club), Freshman Class Council, Ignite - Freshman Leadership Orientation Committee, National Honor Society, Theater Club.
Comment: "When I first received the email concerning the award I was ecstatic. The rising cost of school has faced many students with financial difficulty and I am honored to be chosen for this award. I want to impact the world in a positive way and eventually be able to give back to my community. I see college education as a privilege and as for a means of bettering the world; my personal success will come from that. This scholarship puts me well on my way and I will be endlessly grateful.This gift is truly a blessing, and I promise I will put it to the best of use. I wish my words could iterate how thankful I am, thank you, thank you, thank you! "
Britt Haugland, 2012, MIS/Spanish
Interests/Activities: Zipperman Scholars, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority (Founding Member, Installment Committee Head, Recruitment Committee Chair), National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Eller College Philanthropy, St. Jude’s “Up ‘til Dawn, Arizona Refugee Connection.
Comment: "This (thank-you) letter does not do justice to how much I appreciate your kindness. My future looks brighter and brighter every day because of generous people like you to aid in the education of tomorrow’s leaders. Hopefully my education will not stop after graduation, as I plan to attend law school and simultaneously earn an MBA and a JD in Technology and Patent Law. Again, I thank you for granting me this scholarship, as it is giving me the chance to better prepare for the ever-changing technology industry."
Sarah K. Ihns, 2011, MIS/Accounting/Psychology
Interests/Activities: Tempe Sister Cities’ Oktoberfest ( Volunteer), MIS Association (Social Media Team), Eller Ambassadors (Fundraising and Philanthropy Committee), University Medical Center (Children’s Playroom Volunteer), Primus Freshman Honorary (Member), Ronald McDonald House (Volunteer), Pi Beta Phi Sorority (Head of Leadership Nominating Committee, Vice President of Finance, Assistant VP Finance), Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Camp Rainbow (Cabin Counselor, Tennis Instructor), Children’s Cancer Network (Volunteer, Fashion Show Model.)
Comment: "I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the Leadership in Technology and Innovation Award. The funds I will be receiving will help to ease the financial burden as I come into the final semester of my college career."
Interests/Activities: Zipperman Scholars, Association of Chinese Students & Scholars, Economic Science Laboratory, Eller College Philanthropy.
Comment: "I am so pleased that I could receive this special award from you. It is not only an honor to me, but also a great aid to my college education. This scholarship has given me the motivation and means to continue my educational goals."
Shayan Parhite, 2013, MIS/OM/Persian Studies
Interests/Activities: Zipperman Scholar, Hispanic Business Student Association, Persian Club, Hall Council, Alpha Club.
Comment: "First and foremost I would like to start off by thanking you from the bottom of my heart for the generous scholarship that you have awarded me. This scholarship will improve my college experience in that it will help me focus more of my time and efforts on academia, rather than trying to find a way to support myself. It lifts a tremendous amount of weight off my shoulders that I can replace with knowledge from the classroom. I am the first member of my family to attend college. Attending college would not be possible if it were not for the scholarships such as yours. "
Daniel Prieto, 2013, Pre-Business
Interests/Activities: Zipperman Scholar, Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge (Participant), Economics Club (Member), Investments Club (Member), National AP Scholar.
Comment: "I am honored to accept the Walmart Leadership in Technology and Innovation Award. The scholarship will help my college experience by reducing the burden of education costs and allowing me to pursue my education to the fullest."
Maria Fernanda Rebello, 2013, Pre-Business
Interests/Activities: Zipperman Scholar, American Marketing Association, Entrepreneurship Student Association.
Comment: "I am truly honored to be chosen among many students from the University of Arizona as one of the Walmart Leadership in Technology and Innovation Award recipient. I am deeply appreciative of your support."
David
M.
Reinkensmeyer, 2013, MIS/Economics
Interests/Activities: Zipperman Scholar, Think Tank, University of Arizona (Supplemental Instructor), Abri Apparel (Co-Founder and Owner), Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (One-on-one Behaviorist Intern.)
Comment: "I am truly honored to be a recipient of the Walmart Leadership in Technology and Innovation Award. The funds will not only help me pay for this semester’s school expenses, but I also plan to put some of it towards a semester of classes in India this summer. This particular dream, to study abroad, seemed nearly impossible financially until I was awarded this generous scholarship. For this I cannot thank you enough."
Sharon Roderick, 2012, MIS/Accounting
Interests/Activities: Zipperman Scholar, Tau Sigma Academic Honor Society, Twin Peaks Elementary School (Volunteer.)
Comment: "I am honored to receive the Walmart Leadership in Technology and Innovation Award. The
scholarship money helps relieve some of the financial burden of attending the university. For
me, the larger benefit of this award is the recognition of my hard work and the dedication
Walmart has to education and to the MIS department here at the University of Arizona. I have enjoyed many
interactions with Walmart thus far including the tours of distribution centers and dinner with
Walmart executives."
Ashley Tutera, 2013, Pre-Business
Interests/Activities: Zipperman Scholar, University of Arizona’s Activities Board (Internal Vice President.)
Comment: "Thank you very much for selecting me for this award. I pride myself in being innovated and being recognized for that is an honor. There are nights when the workload is stressful and I think, “Why am I pushing myself so hard?” and it is awards like this that remind me why. With the motivation this award has given me, I will continue strive to reach my full potential."
Michelle Vock, 2013, MIS/Marketing
Interests/Activities: Zipperman Scholar (Past Member and Current Faculty Assistant), Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity (Voted Top-Pledge), Junior Achievement (Teacher), Ambassador (Eller College of Management Washington D.C. Capital Cats.)
Comment: "Thank you for granting me the Walmart Scholarship. I am
very honored to be one of the chosen applicants as I know there are so many extremely qualified students within
the MIS Department and furthermore within the University of Arizona. I can assure you that the money will be
used for purposes solely to enhance my experience during school. Because this is a technology award I am
hoping to use the money to purchase software or hardware to make learning more innovative and organized."
Interests/Activities: Zipperman Scholar, Honors College (Member), Optimi Student Foundation Honorary (Marketing Committee Chair), National Society of Collegiate Scholars (Member), International Student Programs and Services Peer Integrator Program (Peer Integrator.)
Comment: "I am very grateful and humbled to have received this scholarship. This award not only has cut some of the financial burden on my parents and me, but what is more important, it has given me more motivation to complete my studies and stay involved."
View Spring 2010 Walmart Scholarship Recipients here.
View the Fall 2009 Walmart Scholarship Recipients here.
Interested in knowing more about this scholarship? Contact Anji Siegel at ASiegel@Arizona.edu or 520-626-1916 for more details.
