The Annexstad Family Foundation (AFF) first partnered with Pomona College in Claremont, CA, in 2016 with the goal to support deserving and determined undergraduate students through the Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) Scholarship program. The Foundation was eager to partner with Pomona due to their commitment to offering an engaging and supportive educational environment to help students pursue passions inside and outside of the classroom. As with other LFT partners, Pomona selects the recipients for the Scholarship program from the incoming class of first-year students. Since the Fall of 2016, AFF has worked closely with campus leadership in development, financial aid and admissions to help create a community of Scholars and offer holistic support.
“Pomona College aspires for all students to flourish and develop lives of meaning during their time on campus. This means creating and maintaining equitable experiences for first-generation and low-income students — and every student at the College,” says President G. Gabrielle Starr. “We are national leaders in educational access — and we have been for decades — because we prioritize financial support for tuition, technology, student health insurance and other critical needs. We also provide broad experiential learning opportunities that prepare our students to excel after graduation, robust on-campus health and wellness programs and a diverse and tight-knit campus community where meaningful, lasting relationships are forged and all members aim to support and guide one another.”
“There is something very special about Pomona; you can feel it when you step on campus,” shares Elin Wahman, Director of Strategic Initiatives for The Annexstad Family Foundation. “Beyond the beautiful natural surroundings of the physical campus, Pomona offers an environment where Scholars can commit to their studies but also discover and invest in their interests in research, art, community development and leadership. In my experience working with Pomona, staff and College leadership have a sincere and personal commitment to student success and want to ensure Scholars can maximize and recognize their potential during their four years and beyond.”
The Foundation’s Regional Program Manager, Maja Klos-Gromadzka, works closely with college representatives and Scholars to help offer support and walk alongside students through their four years. Scholars gather from time to time on campus for an Annexstad Scholar event to share their experiences and foster community.
Recent Pomona Graduate Bella Pettengill shares, “In my time at Pomona College, I developed a dedicated studio and research practice in painting, which has culminated into a final body of work and exhibition. This exhibition marks an initial emergence as I continue to make work and engage with the arts. As a first-generation student, I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I had been given during undergraduate school, and I cherish my education for the dimensionality and skills it has provided me.”
To date, the Foundation has supported nine LFT Scholars at Pomona; four of those recipients have graduated. Currently, five LFT Scholars are enrolled. Scholars have pursued studies in areas such as Public Policy, Cognitive Psychology, Chemistry and Media Studies. Previously one student was awarded the LFT Scholarship per year. In January 2023, the Foundation committed to supporting two new Scholars per year. The goal is to grow the Scholarship cohort to continue to expand the Annexstad Scholar community in the Claremont area.
