Our Recipients
Kyle Dorman of Omaha, NE is our 2014
recipient of the Alyssa Jane Sandmeier Memorial CLS
Scholarship. Kyle is our first Methodist MLS student to
receive the scholarship. There are many reasons Kyle was
chosen by the selection committee. Kyle showed us in his
application that he is a man with a strong faith and work ethic,
that if a person wants to get or become something, he or she must
work for it and trust the Lord to provide. The son of a
Medical Technologist growing up in Omaha, his family was never
guilty of having too much. Kyle’s humble roots would inform
the man he would become and a life of service toward others became
more appealing than the self-indulgence more commonly found
today. We were easily drawn to his devotion to family and
others and his self-sacrificing attitude. In Kyle we found an
applicant that was very real, very down-to-earth and
unassuming. We were reminded of the following scripture
passage when looking over Kyle’s application: 1 Timothy 2:2b
reads “…that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and
dignified in every way.” Kyle shared with us his desire to
lead a quiet life of faith and dedication to his Lord Jesus and his
family. For these many reasons Kyle was selected as our 2014
CLS scholarship recipient.
Elisabeth Mahon of Washington, NE is our
2013 recipient of the Alyssa Jane Sandmeier
Memorial CLS Scholarship. Liz will be completing her clinical
rotations at UNMC in Omaha, NE. Elisabeth stood out to the
selection committee because of her financial need, high academic
standing, and above all, her character, humility, and faith in
Christ. Elisabeth's personal story is also very touching, but
more than that, we get a strong sense from her that life is about
much more than just ourselves and the situations we're currently
facing. One thing that struck us about Liz was that she was
willing to set aside her own dreams and passions for those of
another. This is a trait not commonly seen today.
Paul's words to the church at Philippi when he writes verses 3 and
4 of chapter two come to mind: "Do nothing from selfish
ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant
than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own
interests, but also to the interests of others." Character is
not something manufactured or purchased. It can only be
received and then manifested by the power of the Holy Spirit and
through the trials and tribulations we all face in this life.
As we celebrate biblical character qualities that we so highly
cherish, we give thanks and praise to the only one worthy of their
acceptance, Jesus Christ. We know Elisabeth will represent
Alyssa's Foundation well as we congratulate her for being our 2013
CLS scholarship recipient. May the Lord be with you as you
continue in this life, knowing your reward is waiting for you in
the next.
John Buller of Hampton, NE is our 2012
recipient of the Alyssa Jane Sandmeier Memorial Scholarship.
John completed his clinical rotations in the laboratory at the
Saint Francis Medical Center in Grand Island, NE. John was
selected for this scholarship based not only on his academic
performance but, more importantly, on his character, his sense of
purpose, and on his desire to serve his fellow man. While
attending Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he received a
Bachelor degree in Biology, John took part in numerous volunteer
activities at home and abroad. He was involved in the Jazz
Band and Men's Choir, also making sure he had time to participate
in weekly Campus Crusade for Christ Bible studies. After
college, John kept himself busy working as a ward clerk or CNA in a
hospital environment before making the decision to go back to
school for a degree in clinical laboratory science. In short,
John was able to show the selection committee a committment to
academic excellence and a dedication to serving others. We
saw in John the imprint of the Savior, an individual who truly
wants to "be Jesus" to others. Thank you John, and may the
Lord bless you as you continue to be a light shining in the
darkness.