September 14, 2015
Major: Special Education and Early Childhood Education (Deaf/HH Certification)
Hometown: Hampstead, MD
Sports: Cross Country, Track & Field
Scholarship Received: Moritz Louis Schultz '59 Athletic Scholarship
I could have gone to other schools within my home state for less money, but I fell in love with Bloomsburg and was determined to just make it work. And I’m so glad I did. I can’t see myself anywhere else.
Late in high school I started to really excel on my cross country and track teams. I still wanted running to be part of my life in college. I was nervous that, as a freshman, I wouldn’t fit in on the team, but everyone was so supportive. They really encouraged me to succeed. I ended up achieving All-American my first year! I finished 35th in the NCAA Division II National Championships!
At the end of my freshman year, I received an athletic scholarship, which was a big help. It’s also a reward for the dedication and time I’ve put into my sport. I think working hard in athletics says a lot about character and self-discipline. This scholarship makes all of the effort worth it, and it reassures me that going with my heart in choosing Bloomsburg was the right decision.
“Bloomsburg took a chance on me,” says Josh Sonntag ’14, “And it was very important to me that I could give back. I knew right after I graduated; I told myself once I was able to that I wanted to give back to the school.”
For many students, the impact of receiving a scholarship is much greater than just the monetary value. For Pittston Township, PA native Allison “Allie” Barber, it was rewarding to know someone supported and believed in her academic success.
A $700,000 gift from the estate of John Enman, Ph.D., professor emeritus of geography at Bloomsburg University will further support students, faculty and programs in the department of Environmental, Geographical and Geological Sciences (EGGS).
