Zander White, a 2022 Cedar Falls High School graduate, is the recipient of Wartburg College’s R.J. McElroy Minority Scholarship for Waterloo/Cedar Falls Students.

White, the son of Zachary and Angela White, plans to run track under head coach Marcus Newsom and study marketing and graphic design at Wartburg.

“I chose Wartburg because of the people and the environment,” said White. “The people there all seem so kind and amazing, and like Coach Newsom says, everyone is just one big family. The faculty and staff seem amazing and so helpful with every need I may have.”

White was nominated for the scholarship by former educators, including Alissa Kjeldsen, who taught White from grades 3-6.

“What impresses me most about Zander is that he is not afraid to take risks,” said Kjeldsen in her nomination. “He will see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than obstacles. Zander is loyal to those he meets and quickly builds solid relationships. He has come back to my classroom at St. Patrick School many times to help out or talk to and inspire my students with his many accomplishments.”

McElroy, a pioneer Iowa broadcaster who died in 1965, made a provision in his will for the establishment of a trust fund, the proceeds of which were to be used for the educational benefit of deserving young people. Wartburg College annually partners with the R.J. McElroy Trust to award a full-tuition scholarship to one student from the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area. Awards are renewable up to four years.

“Getting this scholarship means a lot to me and my family. My parents were very worried about financial stability going into college, so getting this scholarship relieved a ton of stress off my parents’ shoulders,” White said.

“Getting this scholarship has also opened many doors and opportunities for me in my future. I can’t wait to see what the opportunities are and how they will change my life forever.”