Shawan (shown on left above) is studying for her master's degree in occupational therapy at the University of Minnesota. She plans to graduate in 2013.
Laura (shown on right above) will be a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania this fall. She plans to study cognitive science and then go on to medical school.
The EMPOWER Scholarships were established in 1994 to support ethnically diverse students studying for careers in medical or rehabilitation fields. The scholarships are made possible through the David Hersey Endowment Fund, thanks to the generosity of Adele Hersey (shown seated above) and her family. Selection is based on the applicant's intentions, achievements, volunteerism and need.