Iowa Wesleyan student earns Alliant Energy award

Thursday April 7 Leija Cardenas was presented the Alliant Energy/Erroll B Davis Junior Minority Achievement Award in the presence of family, Iowa College Foundation President, Alliant Energy regional manager, and IWU staff.

“Leija is one of the shining stars on campus, ” said Provost of Iowa Wesleyan University Dr. DeWayne Frazier in introduction of Cardenas, “Every time I see her, she smiles at me.”

Executive Director of the Alliant Energy Foundation Julie Bauer explained how this award is meant to honor her former co-worker Erroll B Davis who is kind, determined, and always looking to help others.

Bauer went on to say that the award was meant to be different from a scholarship.

This award was meant to be in recognition of the hard work already completed by the recipient and help to set them up for the next chapter of their lives.

Cardenas was presented the honor of the award and the prize of $3,500 by Iowa College Foundation President Ed Finn with her mother and aunt present.

“I’m very happy,” Cardenas said,“ especially as the first in my family to finish all four years of college.”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com