Pieces of the Puzzle

Mutoni Patience came to the United States from Congo as a young child. Her parents instilled in her that hard work and dedication were all she needed to succeed in life. This guidance carried her through high school and her hard work paid off in the form of a Presidential Scholarship at Drake.

"However, I found out that hard work and dedication still were not enough because even with the Presidential Scholarship I received, the burden of tuition was still too large for my parents," says Mutoni.

The Sheldon Friedland Endowed Scholarship buoyed Mutoni's commitment and pursuit of excellence. The fund was set up by Sheldon, BN'51, to build a bridge to Drake where there is otherwise a financial divide.

"When I received [the scholarship], I learned that hard work and dedication are just two pieces of the puzzle," says Mutoni. "It is the generosity of people like Sheldon Friedland who lift the barriers of entry to help hardworking students like me succeed."

Mutoni is majoring in international business and marketing with a LEAD minor. She is involved with the NAACP and the African and Caribbean Student Association, and is a member of the Student Alumni Association and Phi Chi Theta, a business fraternity. As a student, she has been given the tools and resources necessary to succeed at college.

"I know this opportunity would not have been possible at my other prospective colleges and universities," she says. "I am grateful to have been the recipient of the scholarship. The impact it has made in my life is more than I could ever find the words for."

Your planned gift can help students like Mutoni to overcome financial barriers and achieve their dreams at Drake. Contact John Amato at 515-271-2849 or john.amato@drake.edu to learn more.