Six American Indians begin college with scholarships
Dressed in a crisp, white shirt and nice, black pants, Patrick Burtt strode confidently across the campus of Sierra Nevada College last Friday.
However collegiate he appeared on the outside, Burtt admitted he was a little bit in awe that he was a student at Nevada's only four-year private liberal arts college.
"I would have gone to college, but not such a prestigious college," Burt said.
However collegiate he appeared on the outside, Burtt admitted he was a little bit in awe that he was a student at Nevada's only four-year private liberal arts college.
"I would have gone to college, but not such a prestigious college," Burt said.
A member of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, Burt is one of six American Indians who received a full-tuition scholarship this fall from the college, in partnership with the Nevada Indian Commission.
Burtt, a Carson City resident, passed a rigorous screening process to be chosen as a Native American Scholar.
"The applications were very competitive and all candidates were well deserving of further consideration for funding," said Sherry L. Rupert, executive director of the Nevada Indian Commission.
The six, with an additional student beginning next semester, attended a luncheon in their honor at Patterson Hall Friday, with preparations for the Lake Tahoe Forum and President Bill Clinton's visit going on around them.
Burtt, a Carson City resident, passed a rigorous screening process to be chosen as a Native American Scholar.
"The applications were very competitive and all candidates were well deserving of further consideration for funding," said Sherry L. Rupert, executive director of the Nevada Indian Commission.
The six, with an additional student beginning next semester, attended a luncheon in their honor at Patterson Hall Friday, with preparations for the Lake Tahoe Forum and President Bill Clinton's visit going on around them.
"We're here to celebrate our six Native American Scholars," Rupert said. "This is an opportunity of a lifetime for you. It warms my heart to see all of you here and all of your faces."
SNC President Larry Large welcomed the students, thanking Dr. Bill Redel, one of the college's professors, for his part in encouraging the students to apply for the college. Rupert, too, acknowledged Redel's persistence to convince the tribes that the college wanted them.
"It's a special day for us," Large said.
Large said he plans to make sure he is on campus in May 2011 when these students should graduate.
SNC President Larry Large welcomed the students, thanking Dr. Bill Redel, one of the college's professors, for his part in encouraging the students to apply for the college. Rupert, too, acknowledged Redel's persistence to convince the tribes that the college wanted them.
"It's a special day for us," Large said.
Large said he plans to make sure he is on campus in May 2011 when these students should graduate.
"I'm going to come and shake your hands," Large said.
The Native American scholars are E'Sha Cepane Hoferer (Walker River Paiute Tribe), Robert Lee Smith Jr. (Yerington Paiute Tribe), Janine K. Winnemucca (Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe), Ginny M. Hatch (Yerington Paiute Tribe), Jessique Larae Jim (Ft. Dermitt Paiute-Shosone Tribe) and Burtt.
The Native American scholars are E'Sha Cepane Hoferer (Walker River Paiute Tribe), Robert Lee Smith Jr. (Yerington Paiute Tribe), Janine K. Winnemucca (Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe), Ginny M. Hatch (Yerington Paiute Tribe), Jessique Larae Jim (Ft. Dermitt Paiute-Shosone Tribe) and Burtt.
