Coe announces 2021-2022 Clark Merit Scholars
The Clark Merit Scholars for the 2021-2022 academic year are Lila Dabill ’22, Natalie Hansen ’22, Zach Niemeyer ’22, Allyssa Roeker ’22 and Luke VanderSchaaff ’22.
The Clark Merit Award provides a scholarship equal to one year's tuition. The recipients of this prestigious award demonstrate qualities of character, integrity, intellect, leadership and social responsibility. Clark Merit Scholars are chosen each year by a committee of faculty members and a member of the Board of Trustees.
“Congratulations to these outstanding winners! The Coe community is honored to have the opportunity to recognize exceptional student achievement from a talented pool of candidates,” said Coe Interim President David Hayes ’93.
Meet the Clark Merit Scholars:
- Lila, physics and mathematics — “I’m extremely grateful for this scholarship award and honored by the Clark Merit Committee’s faith in my abilities and future goals. This award will push me to work harder at making my voice heard in the male-dominated field of physics and to raise the voices of those around me.”
- Natalie, economics with minors in Spanish and data science — “I am so honored to receive this award alongside the other students selected, out of a very talented pool of applicants. The Clark Merit Scholarship will allow me to focus on my studies for my senior year while I explore options for graduate school or a career path post-graduation. I want to thank all of my professors, classmates and softball teammates for pushing me in my academics and extracurriculars and my family for being my biggest cheerleaders along the way.”
- Zach, biology and chemistry — “The award is a great honor and blessing. The Clark family’s ability to have continual impact on Coe College students is astounding, and for that I am grateful as I consider the possibilities of attending medical or graduate school. Thank you to the Clarks and to all my professors and mentors who have helped mold me into a fortunate recipient!”
- Ally, English, communication studies and writing — “Receiving this award is an incredible encouragement and motivational force, especially for someone who is in the humanities. Because the world often scoffs at English majors, being selected shows that my college supports and believes in what I do and study. It also pushes me to work even harder and make my community, my family and myself proud of what I’ve accomplished at Coe. I can keep my attention on preparing for my next big life transition and taking advantage of all my final year at Coe has to offer.”
- Luke, political science and philosophy with a minor in history — “I am honored to receive this award because it recognizes all my hard work in and out of the classroom over the past few years. It also makes my dream of graduate school and helping others through public policy more of a reality. I want to thank my friends, family and mentors for their guidance that helped make all of this possible.”
This year's selection committee members were Assistant Professor of Stead Department of Business Administration and Economics Chelsea Lensing ’14, Associate Professor of Biology David Lo and Trustee Dr. David Gehring ’89.
The Clark Merit Awards are funded by an endowment created in 1995 by the late Coe alumnus K. Raymond Clark ’30. Clark's gratitude and loyalty to his alma mater were unequivocally and magnificently evidenced by his service as a member of Coe's Board of Trustees from 1966 until his death in 2005 and by his unparalleled record of personal giving to the institution. The Clark Racquet Center and Clark Field, Clark Alumni House, Contemporary Issues Forum and Clark Endowment for Merit Awards have significantly enhanced the Coe educational experience and greatly strengthened the institution.