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“There is a story behind every scholarship,” proclaimed College of Human Sciences’ scholarship donor Kathy Ware as she and her husband, William Ware, addressed those in attendance at a special Scholarship Reception the night of Thursday, Nov. 20 to honor the more than 130 scholarships that were awarded this past academic year.

The bond between scholarship donors and students in the College of Human Sciences was celebrated in unison as both were treated to a reception inside the Auburn Alumni Center giving students the opportunity to meet their donors face-to-face and describe how their scholarship gift is being used to achieve lifetime goals and dreams.

“Our hope is that alleviating some of the monetary impact of a college education from students and their families would help free up students to dream big, pursue their passions, discover their purpose, work hard, make the most of the opportunity and at some time in the future share with others so they too, may have similar opportunities,” added William Ware.

One of those scholarship recipients who shared her powerful story was Angela Rivera, a senior in the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management studying the event management option with plans to graduate from Auburn in the fall of 2026.

Rivera immigrated to the United States from Mexico when she was 12-years-old and despite having to learn a new language and just a few years later, experienced a personal tragedy with the loss of her mom, Rivera never wavered and through hard work and perseverance she is now thriving in the College of Human Sciences thanks to the support of a scholarship donation.

“We all go through things in life, and we get to know grief and loss, and it can take a toll on you,” said Rivera. “Overcoming it is difficult but there is light at the end of the tunnel no matter what you go through and what adversity you face. I’m just so grateful to be here at Auburn University and they have changed my life for the better. I am eternally grateful for the things that I’ve learned and all the opportunities I’ve been given.”

Rivera said she chose the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management because she loves traveling and making people feel special.

“I think the way I can do those things is through hospitality,” said Rivera. “I’m a firm believer that you should live life to the fullest and take the trip you want to take to see beautiful places and spend moments with your loved ones. I just really want to help people do that and try to fulfill my life’s purpose by doing that.”

“This is helping me achieve my dreams and things that I didn’t think would be possible. With the financial situation now, doors have been opened that I didn’t think I was going to be able to walk through.”

Angela Rivera, scholarship recipient

As for the future, Rivera would like to go into the tourism industry once graduating from Auburn but in the meantime, she is beyond thankful to have the support of Auburn scholarship donors.

“This is helping me achieve my dreams and things that I didn’t think would be possible,” said Rivera. “With the financial situation now, doors have been opened that I didn’t think I was going to be able to walk through.”

To learn more about giving opportunities, please contact the College of Human Sciences Office of Advancement

Giving opportunities