The Annexstad Family Foundation (AFF) has launched the Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) Scholar program at universities around the country to support deserving undergraduate students. We would like to spotlight four of our valued partners: University of Georgia, Indiana University, North Dakota State University and Pomona College.
The Annexstad Family Foundation (AFF)launched theLeaders for Tomorrow(LFT)Scholar program at the University of Georgia(UGA) in 2012. Following Al Annexstad’s retirement from FederatedInsurance, he and Cathy sought to assist students in their new home state. They shared UGA’s commitment to educating and providing leadership opportunities for young adults needing financial assistance to achieve their college dreams.
“UGA has been an important partner for ourFoundation,”shares Cathy.“UGA Scholars are eager to make a difference, with many serving as mentors and community leaders.We are fortunate to haveAFF’s Regional Program Manager, Maja Klos-Gromadzka, a UGA LFT Alumna (’16), who works closely with UGA and their Scholars to build student connections from their first to final semester.”
To date, AFF has supported 38 LFT Scholars, including 19 Alumni. Currently, 13 LFTScholars are enrolled, pursuing studies inElectrical Engineering, Computer Science,Agricultural Business andSocial Work.
Since Fall 2012, AFF has collaborated withUGA leadership in development, financial aid and admissions to create a Scholar community and other holistic support.
Director of Student Financial Aid Nancy Ferguson emphasizes UGA’s commitment: “Our vision for first-generation and low-income students is to be the best choice for success in their pursuit of higher education in the state of Georgia. Many tailored approaches enable us to retain and graduate these students, lowering barriers and debt loads. Extra support from organizations such as AFF helps relieve financial pressures, ensuring all student shave the opportunity to teach, to serve and to inquire into the nature of things.”
Recent AFF graduate Hussain Hassan(’23)earned his degree in Accounting and is completing his master’s in Financial Planning and will work at Vanguard inCharlotte, NC. He aspires to become aCertified Financial Planner to empower under served communities.“I’ve long harbored a passion for enhancing individuals’ grasp of financial literacy,”
Hussain shares.“During my senior year,I realized that what truly counts are theconnections andrelationships forged during the journey.”
Nolberto Chastain graduated with a degree in ComputerScience in Fall 2023.Motivated by a middle school visit to UGA, he embraced challenges and honed his technical skills to study software engineering.“My growth mindset focused on continuous improvement and innovation, ”he says. Nolber to advises new AFF Scholars:“Don’t be afraid of failure; embrace failure head-on. It is a part of our journey towards mastery, offering learning opportunities and often with the most valuable insights.It’s better to stumble forward than not to step at all.
