The following piece is sponsored content presented by the Iowa State University Foundation.
On the field, court, course, mat and diamond, Cyclones make great things happen. That greatness extends into the classroom as well, where student-athletes have a track record of success. In 2019, the graduation success rate for student-athletes at Iowa State hit a record 91 percent – the fifth consecutive year that the rate improved – tying for first in the Big 12 Conference.
That accomplishment is the result of the grit, determination and work ethic that student-athletes exemplify, which helps them achieve both in the game and in their studies. Yet participating on a college athletics team involves a substantial time commitment, often making few hours available for athletes to have a part-time job.
Because they need the freedom to focus on their studies and training – but also the means to pay for rent, groceries, books and tuition – scholarship support significantly impacts student-athletes’ ability to strive for excellence. Many do not receive a full ride to attend college, making private funding especially important.
Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends of Iowa State, more than 50 named scholarship funds have been established in the athletics department.
Take, for instance, Tyrese Haliburton, a guard on the men’s basketball team who was named to the 2019 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team and selected for the 2019 USA Basketball Men’s U19 World Cup Team. He’s also a sophomore studying management in the Ivy College of Business and a recipient of the Albert and Suzanne Duroe Men’s Basketball Scholarship, which was established by the Duroes to support student-athletes on the men’s basketball team. With a heavy course load and pressure to be a leader for the team, the scholarship allows Haliburton to focus on what’s important.
“I am very grateful for scholarships such as the Albert and Suzanne Duroe Men’s Basketball Scholarship, as it is helping me on my path to becoming a first-generation college graduate,” Haliburton said. “I’m thankful to the Duroes for their gift and kindness, which enables me to be successful both on the court and in the classroom and will allow me to pursue many more opportunities in my future.”
To learn more about the significance of scholarship support and the Forever True, For Iowa State campaign – a historic initiative by the Iowa State University Foundation to raise $1.5 billion that will benefit every aspect of the university – visit forevertrueisu.com.
