Donor Impact
Ryan Cole
Ryan Cole
Graduation year: 2017
Major Psychology
Hometown: Tacoma, Wash.
I chose Whitworth University for a variety of reasons. The first of these is because my brother and sister attended Whitworth, and they continued living in Spokane after they graduated. Knowing that I had some of my family living in Spokane and that they had connections to the school that I could use was definitely extra incentive to attend Whitworth. Whitworth challenges your academics, social life, and your faith. I wanted to grow in all of these categories. To become an improved scholar, a better person, and a more devout Christian. I felt that Whitworth was the place where I could do that. Lastly, the Act Six scholarship is what really brought me to Whitworth. The full-tuition-plus-need leadership initiative allowed me to attend this prestigious institution by paying for much of my expenses. Without it, Whitworth would just have been a nice thought.
Whitworth has delivered on all levels that it has promised. First, I have grown as a scholar. My study skills have increased and I have learned how to operate my time in a productive manner. I also developed more of a passion to truly want to learn things that interest me. I have Whitworth and its fine professors to thank for that. Whitworth has challenged me for many years now to see things from other perspectives, backgrounds and cultural lenses. I am now a more well-rounded individual because of this. My faith as grown as well. Whitworth, through its Core Worldview program, challenges each and every student on their worldview and poses many philosophical questions about why we believe what we believe, and how to act on those beliefs.
I would like to work with youth in some way after I graduate. I have been interested in helping to change the lives of young people since my junior year of high school. Since then I have worked at the YMCA and Whittier Elementary, and even Rogers High School here in Spokane. My plan after graduating is to take a gap year and gain some more work experience and to save money before I go back to school and get my master's degree. The degree will be in school counseling, social work, a Master in Teaching, or even a clinical degree to be a mental health counselor in a local school/university. My goal is to pay it forward for all of the love and support I have received that have allowed me to get to where I am now. I want to do the same for young people, and instill love and support by being there for them and encouraging them to do what I have done. I want young people to know that being successful and having personal growth is always an opportunity that can be taken.
If I had never received the Act Six scholarship and the financial aid I have been given, these things would have never come into fruition the way that they have. I have all of my donors to thank for giving me the opportunity to challenge and better myself so that I can have the opportunity to pay it forward in my community and social life.