Pair of Lansing area students among those to receive scholarships at Upper Iowa University Honors & Awards Banquet held in Fayette
Scholarship award at Upper Iowa University ... Dalton Dibert of Lansing, a 2022 graduate of Kee High School, was awarded the Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship at the Upper Iowa University Honors & Awards Banquet held Saturday, April 11 on the school’s Fayette campus. Dibert is pictured above receiving the award from Upper Iowa University President Kathy Franken (pictured at right in the submitted photo above). Emma Munson (not pictured) of Lansing was also awarded the Kenneth J. & Sharon L. (Reisch) Erickson Scholarship Fund.
Upper Iowa University (UIU) in Fayette celebrated academic excellence during its annual Honors & Awards Banquet Saturday, April 11, at the Fayette Campus. More than $500,000 in scholarships were awarded through 252 individual recognitions. These funds will support students during the 2026–2027 academic year.
Among those honored individuals were a pair of students from the Lansing area. Dalton Dibert was awarded the Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship, which is an endowed scholarship awarded annually to deserving students from the northeast Iowa area. Emma Munson was awarded the Kenneth J. & Sharon L. (Reisch) Erickson Scholarship Fund, which is awarded to students majoring in either Accounting or Finance who have successfully completed their first year of study and are maintaining a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
Scholarship recipients were selected based on a range of criteria, including academic achievement, financial need, leadership, and campus involvement. All eligible, actively enrolled students were considered through the Honors & Awards Program. In addition, the University continues to invest in future Peacocks by offering a variety of scholarship opportunities for incoming first-year students.
“The Banquet is truly a momentous occasion that brings together our outstanding Peacock students to celebrate their achievements,” said Dr. Billie Cowley, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Family members and dedicated faculty in attendance see firsthand the commitment, perseverance, and determination these students bring to their educational journeys.”
This year’s recipients represent the diversity of the University’s student body, including those studying online, in self-paced programs, on the Fayette Campus, and at UIU’s distance learning locations across Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.
The Honors & Awards Program reflects Upper Iowa’s commitment to academic excellence, student success, and ensuring higher education remains accessible and affordable. The program continues to grow each year, with several new awards introduced for the upcoming academic cycle, including the Burnell Smith Scholarship Fund, Jennifer McCoy Memorial Scholarship, Arguilez Memorial Scholarship, and the Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL).
“Establishing a new endowed or annual scholarship is a powerful way to make a lasting impact on UIU students,” said Ashley Gredys, Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Engagement. “It also provides a meaningful opportunity to honor loved ones and celebrate family legacies through education.”
Learn about Upper Iowa University scholarship opportunities, contributing to an existing fund, or establishing a new award, or contact the Office of Advancement & Alumni Engagement at alumni@uiu.edu or 563-425-5388.
