The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust recently welcomed its fifth cohort of Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars to the new academic year. Trust president and CEO, Harriet M. Ivey, welcomed the Scholars and participating school program advisers, staff and officials to celebratory luncheons in Phoenix and Indianapolis. Frank E. Russell, Trust chairman, shared information about the Trust's origins and mission. Trustee Nancy M. Russell presented the Scholars with leather backpacks for their books and laptop computers, while Trustee Carol Peden Schilling, niece of Nina Mason Pulliam, shared personal insights about her aunt and introduced a video that showcased Mrs. Pulliam's life.

Twenty-nine women and 11 men comprise the fifth cohort of Nina Scholars: five students at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 12 students at Ivy Tech Community College-Central Indiana, 15 students at Maricopa Community Colleges in metropolitan Phoenix and eight students at Arizona State University.

Maricopa Community Colleges and Arizona State University Scholars	Ivy Tech Community College and Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

"Thus far, with this fifth cohort, the Nina Scholars program has celebrated 35 graduates and 140 men and women currently are working toward their degrees," Ivey said. "The Nina Scholars have created their own peer support system. This has helped them succeed and enriched their overall college and program experiences," she added.

"Your financial support is greatly appreciated," said 2005 Nina Scholar Aundra Lambert to the Trustees. "Because of your support and encouragement, my confidence is at a level that I am now more than able to accomplish my educational goals. I will also fully take advantage of the programs and the support from other members (Nina Scholars) that so many other Scholars have benefited from."

The 2005 cohort of Nina Scholars includes students who have faced a myriad of challenges. Nineteen Scholars are adults with dependents, 12 Scholars are between 18 and 25 and were raised in the child welfare system, and nine Scholars have physical disabilities.

"The Nina Scholars program is an exciting dimension for the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. A primary giving focus for the Trust is helping people in need. The Nina Scholars program takes our mission to another level," said Mr. Russell.

"Education was very important to Nina Mason Pulliam. Nina saw education as a crucial tool for self-sufficiency and personal fulfillment. The Trustees and the Trust staff celebrate this year's scholarship recipients and are very proud of our Nina Scholars," added Mrs. Russell.

The Nina Scholars program is unique in the United States as it seeks to assist nontraditional students. Scholarships are available for up to 40 new students each year who are adults 25 years or older, with dependents living in the household, students between 18 and 25 who were raised in the child welfare system and/or students with physical disabilities.

Support for the Nina Scholars includes full resident tuition, book expenses and student fees. In addition, an annual living allowance of $2,500 may be applied to expenses such as housing, transportation, child care and health insurance.

"This signature program for the Trust would have made my aunt extremely proud," said Schilling. "Education was everything to Nina. Throughout her life she and her husband provided hundreds of scholarships for newspaper carriers and employees' children. She believed that education allowed people to realize their dreams."

2005 Nina Scholar Julie Reindle summarized her feelings saying, "I cannot express the gratitude I have to the staff and Trustees for granting me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams of being able to complete college. I feel very honored to be a part of this wonderful program, and to keep Nina Mason Pulliam's legacy alive."