The Live Like Lou Foundation is proud to announce its 2024 Iron Horse Scholarship recipients and finalists. Since the foundation’s inception in 2018, 24 students have now received the full Iron Horse Scholarship valued at up to $17,040. The scholarship is funded at $2,130 per semester for four years in honor of Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record of 2,130, and for four years in honor of his retired Yankees jersey number.
The Iron Horse Scholarship Selection Committee, led by Live Like Lou board treasurer Greyson Geiler, reviewed applications from a competitive pool of more than 100 applicants throughout the United States and Canada and began the selection process in March.
Four individuals were selected to receive the full Iron Horse Scholarship ($17,040), three received the Lou Gehrig Memorial Scholarship ($2,130), and 37 received one-time Onward Awards ($444-2,000).
Garrett is pursuing a degree in military science from East Carolina University. Garrett’s dad, Cory was diagnosed with ALS in 2017 and passed away in 2019.
"As a freshman in high school, during the COVID era, and just a year after losing my dad, I struggled to find direction," Garrett shared. "But during my sophomore year, I decided to join the Army JROTC. Joining this program gave me a sense of community and purpose. It strengthened my confidence, provided leadership opportunities, encouraged me to work hard, participate in my community, and have a voice - all the things my dad had started teaching me. I'm excited to walk the same campus my dad did next year."
With the scholarship, Garrett is looking to pursue a career in the military and find a way to help those with ALS who have previously served their country.
Elizabeth is pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing at Point Loma Nazarene University. Elizabeth's dad, Jonathan, was diagnosed with ALS in 2021 and passed away later that same year.
In her application, Elizabeth expressed that she's wanted to be a nurse for as long as she can remember.
"Although I once dreamed of working alongside my father in the medical field, I am truly excited and look forward to carrying his legacy with me." Upon graduation, Elizabeth hopes to work at Sutter Roseville Medical Center, the same place her dad worked as an orthopedic trauma PA. "I want to be able to use my nursing skills to be a volunteer to help ALS patients when they are in their greatest need. My family will never forget the way those nurses served us [and my dad], and I hope to help others in the same way," Elizabeth wrote.
Katherine is pursuing a bachelor of science in biomedical engineering from Northeastern University. Katherine’s mom, Della, was diagnosed with ALS in 2023.
Katherine hopes to use her degree to benefit those with ALS. She wrote, "My long-standing goal would be to have a more direct impact on the lives of patients. I would love to be in a more research or experimental environment working on prosthetics for patients." In addition to school and her professional career, Katherine also shared, "I have realized the importance of a work-life balance. My relationship with friends and family gives me true meaning." She would love to travel to Galway with her family, the place her ancestors are from.
Olivia is pursuing a nursing degree from Trinity Western University. Olivia's mom, Leanne, was diagnosed with ALS in 2016.
Becoming a nurse has been a dream of Olivia's since she was a child. She has been inspired by numerous family members including her grandma and several aunts who are nurses, but most recently, those caring for her mom have ignited her passion to help people through her future career.
Olivia shares she's not the only person in her family familiar with hospital visits. When Olivia was born, she was diagnosed with Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital condition causing deformities to her left ear, spine, and most of the left side of her face. "No matter what field I end up working in or where I pursue it, I am excited to show everyone that I have what it takes to be a nurse and to connect with kids or adults who have gone through similar experiences as me."
In partnership with Lou Gehrig’s fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, Live Like Lou is pleased to award Lou Gehrig Memorial Scholarships for $2,130 each to ALS families in two Major League Baseball markets in conjunction with the fraternity’s Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. Congratulations to:
Madelyne, who attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was celebrated at the Atlanta Braves Lou Gehrig Day game on June 2, when Matt Olson was recognized as a finalist for the Lou Gehrig Award.
Madelyn’s father, Eric, was diagnosed with ALS in 2021 and passed away earlier this year.
Madelyn is pursuing an exercise and sports science degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "Despite the overwhelming grief and uncertainty, these recent years have taught me a profound lesson in gratitude," shared Madelyne.
McKenna, who attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was celebrated at the Atlanta Braves Lou Gehrig Day game on June 2, when Matt Olson was recognized as a finalist for the Lou Gehrig Award.
Madelyn’s father, Eric, was diagnosed with ALS in 2021 and passed away earlier this year.
McKenna is studying nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She said, "It's a deliberate choice to shift my focus towards the positive, even in the face of this adversity," McKenna stated, "My aspiration is to contribute to the discovery of a cure for ALS, offering solace to other daughters and their fathers, uncles, or any family member."
Chloe, who is attending West Virginia University, was celebrated at the Cincinnati Reds Lou Gehrig Day celebration on June 9 in recognition of Hunter Greene as a finalist for the Gehrig Award. Chloe's sister, Samantha, was diagnosed with ALS in 2022.
Chloe is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health and Well-Being at West Virginia University. After that, she plans to enter a doctoral program to become an occupational therapist. Inspired by being her sister's summer caregiver and attending her OT appointments, Chloe said, "Once I have fully completed school, I want to specialize in assistive technology, as I have recently discovered how important this is for ALS patients and others who have limited mobility."
In recognition of the outstanding accomplishments of our 2024 Iron Horse Scholarship finalists, Live Like Lou was pleased to fund additional one-time awards to the following students in ALS families:
Jacob Bills—University of Utah; Jacob's father, Shane, was diagnosed with ALS in 2023.
Jenny Bui—Rhodes College; Jenny's father, My (Mike), was diagnosed with ALS in 2022.
Morgan Burnett—Brigham Young University; Morgan's father, Garrett, was diagnosed with ALS in 2022.
Daniel Campbell—University of the Pacific Music Conservatory; Daniel's father, Lance, was diagnosed with ALS in 2017 and passed away in 2018.
Zoe Champion—University of Alabama at Birmingham; Zoe's father, Robert, was diagnosed with ALS in 2021.
Sara Curry—Arizona State University; Sara's father, William, was diagnosed with ALS in 2022 and passed away in 2023.
Noa Davis—Miami University; Noa's father, Scott, was diagnosed with ALS in 2022.
Jewels Davis—Villanova University; Jewels' grandfather, Rickie, was diagnosed with ALS in 2019 and passed away in 2020.
Elizabeth Fortier—University of Maryland; Elizabeth's mother, Anne, was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and passed away in 2014.
Grayson Galentine—Cumberland University; Grayson's father, Bryan, was diagnosed with ALS in 2016 and passed away in 2020.
Haley Garman—Minnesota State University—Mankato; Haley's father, Jason, was diagnosed with ALS in 2023.
Brianna Gilbert—Western Carolina University; Brianna's father, James, was diagnosed with ALS in 2021 and passed away in 2023.
Alexis Gilbert—Western Carolina University; Alexis' father, James, was diagnosed with ALS in 2021 and passed away in 2023.
Melany Godinez—St. John's University; Melany's mother, Ingrid, was diagnosed with ALS in 2022.
Mitchell Goodman—University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee; Mitchell's father, Jason, was diagnosed with ALS in 2017 and passed away in 2023.
Dmitri Gorely—Colorado School of Mines or South Dakota School of Mines; Dmitri's grandfather, Bob, was diagnosed with ALS in 2019 and passed away in 2021.
Aleigha Horton—Northwest Missouri State University; Aleigha's mother, Kellie, was diagnosed with ALS in 2022.
Elizabeth Kameen—Moravian University; Elizabeth's father, Joseph, was diagnosed with ALS in 2012 and passed away in 2020.
Ali Khawaja—Rutgers University - Newark; Ali's father, Tabassum (Tom), was diagnosed with ALS in 2018.
Eunice Kim—UC Irvine; Eunice's father, Sung, was diagnosed with ALS in 2022.
Jocelyn Little—Gettysburg College; Jocelyn's father, Robert, was diagnosed with ALS in 2022.
Liana Martin—Colorado State University, Fort Collins; Liana's father, Steven, was diagnosed with ALS in 2018 and passed away in 2021.
Jacob Maza—Webster University; Jacob's mother, Shannon, was diagnosed with ALS in 2018 and passed away earlier this year.
Kennedy McIntosh—Pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing; Kennedy's father, Owen, was diagnosed with ALS in 2022 and passed away in 2024.
Christian Melton—University of Mississippi; Christian’s father, Brian, was diagnosed with ALS in 2019.
Reagan Olivier—Augustana University; Reagan's father, Jerry, was diagnosed with ALS in 2019 and passed away in 2022.
Ian Olivier—Augustana University; Ian's father, Jerry, was diagnosed with ALS in 2019 and passed away in 2022.
Diana Olsen—Grand Canyon University; Diana's husband, Gideon, was diagnosed with ALS in 2022.
Olivia Rosica—Majoring in Business and Finance; Olivia's father, Bryan, was diagnosed with ALS in 2020.
Savannah Sparkes—Northern Arizona University; Savannah's stepfather, Jeffrey, was diagnosed with ALS in 2023 and passed away in 2023.
Katherine Stadum—College of Saint Benedict; Katherine's mother, Jennifer, was diagnosed with ALS in 2020.
Tighlie Steuber—Penn State University; Tighlie's father, William, was diagnosed with ALS in 2019.
Rachel Townsend—Northern Kentucky University; Rachel's father, Raymond, was diagnosed with ALS in 2021.
Griffin Wallick—Binghamton University; Griffin's father, David, was diagnosed with ALS in 2021 and passed away in 2023.
Maycee Wilkie—Iowa State University; Maycee's father, Mark, was diagnosed with ALS in 2018 and passed away in 2019.
Jillienne Winn—The University of Arizona; Jillienne's stepfather, David, was diagnosed with ALS in 2021 and passed away in 2023.
Olivia Wulff—University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire; Olivia's father, Daniel, was diagnosed with ALS in 2021.
Since 2018 and through this year, Live Like Lou is proud to have awarded $228,000 in scholarships and one-time grants to ALS families. These funds are made possible through the generosity of donors and friends and ease the financial burden on ALS families in pursuit of higher education.
#ONWARD
