Nine students receive Act Six scholarship for University of Northwestern

ST.PAUL, MN (03/03/2015)(readMedia)-- With Urban Ventures, University of Northwestern – St. Paul is excited to announce the names of nine students who have been selected as emerging urban and community leaders to receive scholarships to attend University of Northwestern through the Act Six program.

Act Six scholarships are worth, on average, $160,000 over four years. Collectively, the awards will provide more than $4 million in financial aid to this year's cadre of students.

The following students were selected through a rigorous three-month competition among more than 200 applicants; these diverse students were selected for their distinctive leadership, academic potential and commitment to making a difference in their communities:

Aliyah Basuil, PSEO at University of Northwestern

Josias Bruce, Rosemount High School

Shania Castillo, Hope Academy

Lisa Fredericks, Eden Prairie High School

Joshua Gillespie, Wayzata High School

Yaritza Montriel, Robbinsdale Cooper High School

Kristina Myankova, Hopkins High School

Ruth Norman, Hope Academy

Yosief Temnewo, Hope Academy

Launched in 2002 by the Northwest Leadership Foundation in Tacoma, Washington, Act Six seeks to develop urban and community leaders to be agents of transformation on campus and in their home communities. Since the program's inception, 61 cohorts of ethnically diverse, mostly first-generation, low-income Act Six scholars have enrolled at eight colleges and universities in the Pacific Northwest. This year, Act Six expanded its reach and developed a program site to serve Twin Cities' students in collaboration with South Minneapolis nonprofit Urban Ventures.

The Twin Cities' first Act Six scholars (including students who will attend University of Northwestern, Augsburg College and Bethel University) will be recognized at the Urban Ventures' Act Six Community Celebration on Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m. The celebration will be held at the Colin Powell Youth Leadership Center, 2924 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis. The keynote speaker will be former Minneapolis mayor, R.T. Rybak.

Media and the public are encouraged to attend. More information at http://www.urbanventures.org/actsix

University of Northwestern – St. Paul (formerly Northwestern College) is a nondenominational Christian university in St. Paul, Minn. With a biblical worldview integrated into all programs, UNW provides a unique educational experience for students who want to combine faith and education. UNW offers 70+ areas of undergraduate study, six master's degrees, and online and early college programs. Northwestern Media, a ministry of the university, operates 15 Christian radio stations throughout the Midwest with a total listenership of more than one million listeners. Visit unwsp.edu for more information.