Chicago - BCU is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Scholarship Program, continuing its long-standing commitment to Empowering People To Discover Financial Freedom. For over a decade, the Credit Union has championed the academic and financial dreams of exceptional students nationwide, recognizing their leadership, service, and potential to shape the future.
This year, BCU awarded 30 scholarships, including ten prestigious Leader of Tomorrow awards, the Tom Hodson Compassionate Leader Award, and two A. Rex Johnson BCU Leader of Tomorrow awards, which honor children or grandchildren of BCU employees. Reflecting BCU’s inclusive approach to financial empowerment, the program supports students pursuing a wide variety of paths, from technical schools and certification programs to accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities.
As part of the application process, students submitted essays examining the impact of financial stress on mental health and academic success – offering thoughtful strategies for managing both challenges effectively.
The 2025 recipients will be attending a variety of respected institutions, including Carroll University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University, Northern Michigan University, University of Florida, University of Puerto Rico, Yale University, and more.
Calleigh Eakle received the Tom Hodson Compassionate Leader Award, recognizing her exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to serving others. Her story exemplifies the power of empathy and the impact of leading with heart.
The A. Rex Johnson BCU Leaders of Tomorrow Awards were presented to Mason Alvarez and Averie Maynard, both children of BCU employees, in recognition of their academic excellence and embodiment of BCU’s Shared Values.
Other Leader of Tomorrow (LoT) honorees include:
Devin Carpenter – Ray and Irene Oddi LoT
Kyle Eischen – John Pellettiere LoT
Patrick Enoiu – Vernon R. Loucks Jr. LoT
Lincoln Karlovsky – Michele Hooper LoT
Madison Ross – Margot Kaplan LoT
Hailey Spytek – Charles Thurman LoT
Alejandra Servera Torres – Jose Cajigas LoT
In addition to these honorees, numerous other students received scholarships to pursue a wide range of majors, including Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Data Science, Exercise Physiology, Political Science, Music Therapy, and Finance and Marketing, among many others.
“The passion and determination shown by this year’s scholarship recipients is nothing short of inspiring,” said Mike Valentine, BCU President & CEO. “We’re honored to support their educational journeys and look forward to seeing the positive impact they’ll make in the world.”
View the list of BCU’s 2025 Scholarship Award Recipients.
About BCU: BCU is a not-for-profit, member-owned Credit Union that is fiercely dedicated to Empowering People to Discover Financial Freedom. At just over $6B in assets, BCU is driven by its commitment to providing a fast, easy, secure banking experience and extraordinary service for close to 360,000 members. The BCU field of membership includes employees and families of large employers that are focused on the financial well-being of their workforce; those who live or work in northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, and the island of Puerto Rico; and subscribers of BCU’s wholly-owned Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO), Life. Money. You.® within communities and Fortune 100 workplaces throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. All BCU members enjoy lifetime access to financial services and well-being programming that inspire confidence through the brand promise “Here Today For Your Tomorrow.”
To learn more about how we can help you realize your financial dreams, visit BCU.org.
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