Two Intel seniors receive competitive scholarship

Samantha Weber, Managing Editor

Two Mercyhurst University seniors, Laren Reesman and Nicholas Brodfuehrer are recipients of the National Military Intelligence Foundation (NMIF) Merit Scholarship. Reesman and Brodfuehrer are just two of the eight people who received the scholarship.

Reesman is a double major in intelligence studies and French. Brodfuehrer is a double major in intelligence studies and political science.

In order to apply for this scholarship, there are four criteria that must be met. The first is about what grade level the students are. Students who can apply must be at least a junior in college with more than 48 semester credit hours.

Seniors and graduate students can also apply, but the seniors must have more than 72 credit hours. This scholarship describes graduate students as “students who have received a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited post-secondary educational institution and are actively pursuing a Master’s, Doctoral or professional degree.”

The second criteria is that the student is considered a full time undergraduate or graduate student. This means the student must be taking at least 12 semester credit hours or 15 quarter credit hours.

The third criteria is that the scholarship has to be used in either the fall semester of 2021 or the spring semester of 2022. This means that the scholarship must be used during this academic year.

The fourth and final criteria is that the applicant fills out the entirety of the application package. The application process is rigorous and has a lot of parts.

Applicants have to complete an application form, a resume, one or more letters of recommendation, academic transcripts and copies of other relative awards that the applicant has received. The foundation also looks at Academic Excellence and Rigor as well as how relevant the major and minors that the students are in.

Additionally, the applicant has to answer four essay questions and the combined responses have to be at most 2500 words.

“I actually heard about the scholarship from a Mercyhurst alum, Natalie Anderson. Natalie was an Intel major and NMIF winner as well. She now chairs the scholarship board and selection committee,” said Brodfuehrer.

He proceeded to fill out the application when Ridge College sent it out to all students. Many students recognize that it is important for students to take any opportunities given to them and Brodfuehrer is no exception.

“First, students should take advantage of any scholarships that come their way. When this came up and I saw the past connections to Mercyhurst, I thought that I should give this a shot,” Brodfuehrer said. “I took the time to write the essays and put my best effort into the application.”

Brodfuehrer had a nice surprise in regard to the award.

“Once I submitted it, I actually forgot about it. Then during move-in and New Student Welcome, I got a call from a D.C. phone number and Natalie called to tell me I had won – I was shocked. It was quite a nice surprise,” said Brodfuehrer.

If you are a student who is pursuing a career in intelligence, National Security or military intelligence, be sure to keep your eye out for this scholarship for the next school year.