SOMERSET, NJ, July 19 - A $5,000 grant from Oticon, Inc. has enabled Sertoma Inc. to award five $1,000 college scholarships to students with hearing loss. Oticon has been a proud supporter of the Sertoma Scholarship for the Hard of Hearing or Deaf, the nation’s leading scholarship program for students with hearing loss, since its inception in 1994. During that time, more than 160 students have received Oticon-funded scholarships.
“Young people with hearing loss have the potential to make enormous contributions to the world,” said Laura Shiplett, AuD, CCC-A, Director of Pediatrics for Oticon, Inc. “We aim to help nurture that potential with life-changing technology that gives students the support they need to excel in and outside of the classroom. Through the Sertoma Scholarship program, we extend that support to help them acquire the higher education they need to achieve their goals.”
The 2021 scholarship recipients are: Julia Bovee, University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse; Kayla Campbell, Rochester Institute of Technology; Hanna DePoy, Cornerstone University; Kyra Dinkins, Gallaudet University; Nikhil Krishan, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.
Students with clinically significant bilateral hearing loss, graduating from high school, or undergraduate students pursuing four-year college degrees in any discipline are eligible for the scholarship. Sertoma Inc. received 218 entries for this year’s scholarships from students across the country. The scholarship awards can be used to cover tuition, books, supplies and other school-related expenses. Recipients may use the funds for any semester, including summer, during the awarded academic school year.
“Sertomans across the country are unified with a single purpose - to serve our communities and improve the lives of those who need help,” said Aaron Ensminger, Executive Director of Sertoma Inc., and Hearing Charities of America. “Our mission and our passion is to improve the quality of life for those at risk or impacted by hearing loss through education and support. Our Hard of Hearing and Deaf Scholarship programs help high school and college age students to overcome their challenges and develop leadership and social skills to prepare for their future. We’re honored to play a small part in their successes.”
For more information about Oticon, Inc. visit www.Oticon.com; to learn about more about Sertoma Inc. visit www.Sertoma.org
