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The Campaign for a Bradley Renaissance

 

Gov. Quinn rallies for MAP grant

Students tell their stories

Jennifer Durham is a senior from Decatur, IL, majoring in organizational communication with minors in political science and leadership studies. Below are her remarks from Thursday's rally.

When I visited Bradley four years ago, I had high hopes of someday attending this prestigious university. I knew the financial burden might prevent me from pursuing my dreams at a private university. But with the help of grants, scholarships and loans, I have been able to receive a quality education filled with endless possibilities.

Bradley has offered me challenging academic courses, internship opportunities, and involvement in a variety of student organizations. One of the most rewarding experiences I had was an internship in Washington, D.C., this past summer.  With the help of Bradley, I was able to spend 10 weeks in the nation's Capitol working for an election consulting firm. Bradley has provided tremendous opportunities to me and thousands of other students on this campus. Without the commitment from the university, none of this would be possible.

I am not what some people think is a typical Bradley student. I come from a single-parent household. My mother works two jobs to support herself and help me afford Bradley. I work over 20 hours a week to do my part. And I have borrowed the maximum amount of federal Stafford loans. There is no more assistance I can get. I am doing everything in my power to receive a quality education. Now I want to ask the state to follow through on its promise it gave me four years ago.

For most students, there are not any other options if the state fails to fund the MAP Program.  It has been an aspiration of mine to be the first person in my family to graduate from college. It will devastating if that dream is cut short because the state fails to fulfill its pledge to assist in funding my education. I implore state officials to keep their promise to me and to thousands of other Illinois students.  

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