JBU Scholarship Fund

Student Stories

Molly Keenan
Junior
Cross-Cultural Services

My name is Molly Keenan and I am a junior at John Brown University. I grew up in Chanute, Kansas. JBU was not my first choice of colleges, but once I visited the campus, I knew that I wanted to go to a Christian College. I wanted to integrate my faith with learning, since I did not have that opportunity in public school during high school.

I have three other siblings in my family and a private college was never really an option. However, when I came to JBU, I knew that this was where I was supposed to be. God provided some help through financial aid and I was able to register as a freshman!

I decided to major in Intercultural Studies/ Community Development with a minor in Psychology. Different cultures really interest me, so that is why I originally chose this major. I hope one day to live in an underdeveloped community, where I can implement what I am learning by helping people help themselves and by sharing the Gospel.

If I had not been offered financial aid, I could not have attended JBU and had the opportunities to learn all that I have so far. I am very thankful for the opportunity to study what I am passionate about at John Brown and to use it for God’s glory! Thank you so much!

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Christine Mescher
Sophomore
Political Science

My name is Christine Mescher, and I’m from Mt. Vernon, Illinois – that’s the southern part of the state. I am a sophomore at John Brown University majoring in Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law. Let me tell you how I ended up here.

I have a sister who is a senior at JBU. While she loved it here, that wasn’t enough to persuade me to come when I graduated from high school. I’d been known as “little Mescher” long enough!

However, I soon learned that God had His plans for me, and I’ve been raised to follow Him.

I applied to several universities – they were all strong Christian institutions, yet also very different. Deciding among them was a really difficult decision. Since the cost of tuition was a major factor, it basically came down to which school could give me the best education at the best cost. I prayed a lot and so did my parents.

JBU offered me some very generous scholarships, so even though I was dead set against it at first, I knew this was where God was leading me.

Now in hindsight – I’m so glad that I submitted to His will. He does in fact know what’s best for my life, and I love it at JBU! I wouldn’t change my decision for anything in the world!

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Brian Bollinger
Senior
Inturcultural Studies/Spanish

My name is Brian Bollinger and I am a Senior from Halstead, Kansas. I came to JBU to study Spanish and Political Science, but am now seeking a double degree in Spanish and Intercultural Studies.

For me the deciding factor in coming to JBU was undoubtedly the people. Visiting JBU I saw a diverse and joyful community centered on Christ and His values, and I was impressed by the faculty and administration’s passion for encouraging students to couple academic professionalism with practical experience and leadership, both in the classroom and in their own lives. The accessibility and friendliness of everyone I met as I toured the campus impressed me immensely.

After the scholarship weekend, JBU offered me their Presidential scholarship and an iLead leadership scholarship, which cemented my decision that JBU was the place for me. After three years, I can say that I have not for even a moment considered that anywhere else would have been a better choice.

Because of the experiences and relationships in my academic field that I have gained through JBU, I have had the opportunity to be a finalist for a Harry Truman Scholarship for graduate study and am planning to pursue a MA in Conflict Resolution & International Organizational Management from Eastern Mennonite University in Pennsylvania. Before that however, I plan to pursue a couple of years of field work with Samaritan’s Purse or the United States Institute of Peace.