Luke O.
Institutional Scholarship Recipient
Major: Bachelor of Science in Business Management
Anticipated Graduation Date: 2011
Hometown: Portland, OR
When Luke graduated high school he was ready to conquer the world. He graduated with greater than a 4.0 GPA and an impressive resume – Editor of the Yearbook, President of the Choir and Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer. He spent the next two years as an “undecided” major. He unofficially dove into a music path but quickly found it wasn’t for him. He didn’t have much time to reflect when his brother had to undergo a life-threatening back surgery, “He was in and out of the hospital on a consistent basis. I moved back home at that point leaving my college career on pause. Times were tough – especially for my mom. She was a single mother who still had four kids at home. I got a job and helped pay the bills and knew one day I’d be able to finish school.”
Luke tried to go back to school while working two jobs but he ultimately decided to put all his time and resources into a career that could financially sustain him. Now Luke is at a point in his career where he cannot advance any further without a degree. He needs to earn his degree out of necessity and also because he wants to finish what he started, “Also, I hate leaving things unfinished. It is very important for me to complete my degree and be able to say to myself and my family that I earned a college degree.”
Luke is very thankful for the flexible online learning format of the University. “It is a modern approach in a modern world and I like that” he says. After he graduates he would like to own his own business and is excited about what the future holds.
To learn about scholarship opportunities, visit the Scholarships page.
