Leah Barrett loves learning and talking to students. She has ever since she was a first-year student at the University of Wyoming.
“I loved college so much that I never left,” Barrett said recently while talking to Scott Scholars at Northeast Community College.
The president of Northeast was the featured speaker at the Scott Scholars Honors Convocation at the Lifelong Learning Center. Scott Scholars receive full tuition scholarships, along with leadership training and opportunities to learn outside of the classroom.
The program, which also includes other public and private colleges and universities, was made possible by Walter Scott, Jr., who was a visionary. He believed that communities are made stronger by visionary leaders. Scott was the CEO of Peter Kiewit for nearly 20 years, helping the firm grow into the international construction and engineering firm it has become.
While Barrett went on to earn bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees, she has remained in education, working at colleges and universities her entire life. That career has taken her to six states, including Nebraska.
Barrett said she enjoys talking to students and helping them to find out more about themselves. Looking back at her own college experience, Barrett told students that it was important for her to find out about herself and never compromise who she was.
“Before you delve into a career, or challenge others in conversations, you need to learn about who you are,” Barrett said. “You need to always be authentic.”
A person becomes who they are in part from their values and beliefs. College exposes students to people who have different values and think about things differently.
“Your beliefs often evolve at college because you have these experiences. Some of you grew up in a small town or on a farm and you maybe had 20 people in your class. Others of you might have had 100 in your class and others 400 (in your class). Your beliefs and your experiences are often shaped by those you surround yourself with.”
Barrett told students to always listen, including to those who are different or don’t have a voice. Additionally, never compromise one’s principles. Her parents, “a preacher and a teacher,” taught her these values, Barrett said.
“They helped me to understand how much I had, not just what I wanted,” she said. “I had everything I ever needed.”
McKayla Thege, Scott Scholars coordinator, congratulated the first-year Scott Scholars for getting through their first semester. The students who had 4.0 grade point averages or who made the dean’s lists were noted during recognition where the scholars were presented certificates.
“College is about more than just academics,” Thege said. “It’s about the experiences that shape who you are.”
The first-year Scott Scholars have already immersed themselves in campus activities, including such things as serving as tutors, playing intramurals, serving as student ambassadors, joining clubs and other areas. These extracurricular activities help students to gain confidence, learn leadership and teamwork – skills that will serve them for life.
This is the second year that Northeast has had the Walter Scott Jr., Career Pathway Scholarship program. “Scotties,” as they are called, belong to a community that supports one another.
Thege noted that the second-year Scott Scholars, who also attended the convocation, have been mentors and encouragers, setting examples of what is possible.
“We are proud of what you have already accomplished, and are excited for what’s ahead,” Thege said.
Lisa Goodwin of Omaha, assistant director of Education for the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation, congratulated the scholars on behalf of the foundation.
“I know your academic success does not come easily. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication and perseverance. I applaud you for that,” Goodwin said.
Goodwin said while academic success is important, it’s one component of being a successful person or professional. She outlined some leadership qualities of John Bacon, a national speaker and hockey coach.
Bacon has written several books, including a best-selling book, “Let Them Lead.” In it he draws from his own experience as a “bad hockey player,” eventually becoming the coach for one of the worst hockey teams in the state to the best in two years. The same principles for that hockey team can be applied to life and careers, according to Bacon.
Goodwin said Bacon set clear expectations and everyone knew what they were. The expectations were: 1. Work hard and never quit. 2. Always support your teammates.
“If you do those two things, you will always be a success, (according to Bacon),” Goodwin said.
In the workforce, it is important for people to never give up and to be good co-workers or teammates, supporting other workers.
“You do those two things, you will go far in life,” Goodwin said.
The first-year Walter Scott Jr. Career Pathway Scholarship students, listed alphabetically and with majors and hometowns, are:
Kennedie Assman, Vet Tech, Valentine; Jackson Boyd, Agronomy, Primrose; Alex DeSive, Agribusiness, O’Neill; Keila Dubas, Animal Science, Fullerton; Adriana Faust, Pre-Engineering, Norfolk; Noah Ferguson-Naranjo, Computer Science, Norfolk; Alexis Frye, Animal Science, Wayne; Aric Hall, Mechanized Ag, Laurel;
Allie Howell, Agribusiness, Polk; Emma Jacobs, Vet Tech, Yankton, South Dakota; Kayla Jensen, Agribusiness, Beresford, South Dakota; Corben Kment, Animal Science, Plainview; Emma Kuhlman, Animal Science, Creighton; Benjamin Paxton, Agribusiness, Stuart; Justin Ray, Agronomy, Primrose;
Gage Sack, Agribusiness, Saint Paul; Saige Scheele, Animal Science, Ulysses; Loretta Scofield, Animal Science, O’Neill; Paytin Sickles, Animal Science, Cambridge; Leah Sukup, Agribusiness, Winnetoon; Mackenzie Vanness, Animal Science, Wausa; McKinley Warnick, Agribusiness, Polk; Camden Winkelman, Agriculture – College Transfer, Utica.
January First Year Scott Scholars photo
The Walter Scott Jr. Pathway Scholarship students at Northeast Community College were honored during a convocation earlier this month at the Lifelong Learning Center. (Northeast Community College)
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