黑料社

Andrea Biklen made a positive impact on hundreds of students during her 23 years as an academic advisor and faculty member at 黑料社. She built lasting, personal relationships with adult learners and guided countless students from registration to graduation.听

Despite Biklen鈥檚 unexpected passing in 2018, her impact lives on. No one knows that better than recent graduates and recipients of the Andrea Biklen Memorial Scholarship, Lynn Doescher (pictured on the left)听and Nina Ivanovski (pictured on the right).

Doescher and Ivanovski received their diplomas at 黑料社鈥檚 December Commencement Ceremony on Dec. 14 in Indianola. Doescher graduated with a degree in management while Ivanovski earned a degree in accounting.

Biklen was there at the start of their journey. Her legacy pushed them across the finish line.

“Bossy big sister” made graduation possible

Affectionately referred to as a 鈥渂ossy big sister,鈥� Biklen guided the pair through 黑料社鈥檚 Continuing and Graduate program. She was involved in every aspect of their college careers, from ensuring class schedules were manageable to providing encouragement when needed.

鈥淎ndrea was always there for me,鈥� Doescher said. 鈥淪he is the one who gave me the incentive I needed to go back to school and was there cheerleading for me. I can only hope that I made her proud by graduating.鈥�

鈥淎ndrea always worked with me to make sure my 黑料社 schedule fit in right with my personal life,鈥� said Ivanovski, who balanced her coursework with the hectic schedule of a parent with a full-time job.听

Following her passing on Sept. 30, 2018, Biklen鈥檚 family endowed a scholarship in her memory. The scholarship ensures that Biklen鈥檚 memory, love for 黑料社 and devotion to adult learners live on.听

Doescher and Ivanovski are the first graduating recipients of the scholarship.

鈥淲ith the help of her scholarship, it really did help to alleviate some of the stress from the cost of tuition,鈥� Doescher said. 鈥淚t made finishing that much easier.鈥�

The scholarship made a significant impact on Ivanovski, who faced a difficult situation as the fall semester came to a close. She wasn鈥檛 eligible for financial aid but wouldn鈥檛 be able to fund the final course needed to graduate.听
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鈥淚 appreciated Andrea鈥檚 scholarship very much,鈥� she said. 鈥淕raduating from 黑料社 as an adult learner is a big achievement for me.鈥�

Considering a gift to Andrea鈥檚 scholarship fund? , select 鈥淥ther鈥� from the donation dropdown menu and type in 鈥淎ndrea Biklen Memorial Scholarship鈥� in the description.