Cleary University senior Julea Fisher was “kicking it out of the park” with her soccer scholarship, resident assistant role and part-time receptionist position at Cleary, all while maintaining a 3.5 GPA.
But in almost an instant, it all started slipping away: Fisher was diagnosed with compartment syndrome, a painful buildup of pressure around her muscles, and a medical condition that, if left untreated, could result in permanent injury.
Fisher had to quit the Cleary soccer team for good, interrupt her studies and request an absence from her job so she could concentrate on the pending surgery on both legs and her prognosis.
“I was struggling and I was stressed,” Fisher said. “I couldn’t play soccer anymore, and I had no money to finish school. It was my dream to get my degree. I only had one semester to go. I was so close, but it seemed so far out of my reach.”
That’s when she learned about Cleary’s Gift of Graduation, a scholarship Cleary awards to students like her, who face financial hardships at a critical time in their education – a few months before they can complete their final college credits and earn their degree.
Thanks to fundraising events like Cleary Summerfest, as well as generous financial donations throughout the year from the community, Gift of Graduation funds help Fisher and many other Cleary juniors and seniors complete their degree without interruption.
Fisher will earn her bachelor’s degree in business communications from Cleary in December. She applied for, and accepted, a full-time position at Cleary as its enrollment management coordinator, and she will continue to work full-time while taking the last 15 credits she needs to reach the finish line.
“It’s going to be a challenge but I never back down from one,” Fisher said. “I knew it was going to be hard paying for my education on my own, but thankfully, I received a soccer scholarship, landed an RA position and got a part-time job at Cleary, which covered my tuition costs. I never anticipated a medical setback that almost took it all away from me.
“I am so grateful for the Gift of Graduation and hope these funds continue to be available to help other students facing financial hardships.”
Cleary Summerfest supports students like Julea Fisher
Buying a ticket to Summerfest can help dozens of Cleary students like Julea Fisher who, through unforeseen financial hardships, may not be able to complete their degree.
Cost is only $50 a person ($30 for designated drivers), and includes tacos, tequila samplings and tunes by The Laith Al-Saadi Trio; designated drivers’ tickets include tacos, soft drinks and the concert.
To purchase tickets for Cleary Summerfest: Tacos, Tequila & Tunes, visit cleary.edu/summerfest2024.
Gift of Graduation helps students in need
The Gift of Graduation provides desperately needed assistance to Cleary juniors and seniors who are close to graduation but short on funds. Every student who is forced to leave school this close to graduation represents a major loss, not only for themselves, but for their family, prospective employers waiting to hire Cleary graduates, and the community. Cleary’s goal is to help students bridge the gap for needed funding so they can cross that graduation finish line.
To donate to the “Gift of Graduation,” visit www.cleary.edu/gift-of-graduation-scholarship/ or send an email to tegan@cleary.edu.
