MSU grad student receives Arbor Creek scholarship

MSU grad student receives Arbor Creek scholarship

A Midwestern State University graduate student will have one less financial worry for the next year. Bruce Robertson will receive one year rent-free rent at Arbor Creek Apartments, thanks to a scholarship from Maven Management, Arbor Creek's management company.

Robertson graduated from MSU with a Bachelors of Sociology and Political Science in May 2015. He is currently pursuing his master's in political science.

In an essay submitted with the scholarship application, Robertson wrote about growing up with his mother working her way through college as he has done. Now he understands better what she experienced. "Between working a full-time job and going to school, life is hectic and sometimes overwhelming," Robertson said. "There is constant pressure to keep grades up, to lead by example, and it makes every day a struggle right down to what you may or may not eat. But you keep on because you understand sacrifices are necessary. And now I don't have to worry about those everyday struggles."

Robertson said that receiving the scholarship has helped with his confidence and he is exploring possibilities he was unsure of before. "I'm ready to attack the monster of life thanks to this scholarship," he said. "Few people in our lifetimes are given the opportunity or the ability to really make this world a better place, not just for themselves but for everyone."

Robertson also states in his essay that the scholarship would give him the freedom to spend more time in the community. Through his job at United Market Street he has volunteered with the trash pickup on the market's adopted stretch of highway, at the Hotter 'N Hell Hundred, and other community events. He is the current president of the Graduate Student Association, a former board member of Crime Stoppers MSU, and he interned with the Wichita Falls Wildcats Hockey organization. He is listed in the Who's Who in sports marketing.

Dr. Kathryn Zuckweiler, Dean of the Dr. Billie Doris McAda Graduate School at MSU, said that the scholarship from Arbor Creek Apartments will allow Bruce to concentrate on his studies without the additional worries of residence responsibilities. "MSU is fortunate to have great community partnerships that recognize and celebrate academic success. I know that Bruce will appreciate the opportunity provided to him by Arbor Creek, and we at MSU applaud their continued commitment."

The scholarship originated in 2009 when Arbor Creek Apartment personnel read in the Wichita Falls Times Record News that MSU's then-graduate dean Dr. Patti Hamilton was trying to double MSU's graduate student enrollment, according to Maven Management's area/property manager Kathie Tant. The scholarship has helped eight students since. It provides rent for one year in a one-bedroom apartment and is valued at approximately $7,500. Tant gave credit to all the Arbor Creek staff for supporting and maintaining the scholarship.

Maven Management representative David Ammann said that when his company acquired the Arbor Creek Apartments in 2004, they recognized MSU's importance to the economic, cultural, and intellectual health of the region and wanted to support that in any way possible. "As providers of high quality and affordable rental housing to the entire community including the students, faculty, and staff of MSU, we realized that we could best support the university by offering a housing scholarship to a deserving student," Ammann said. "Over the past eight years this scholarship has brought us many amazing students, residents, and new friends, and we are very excited to continue that tradition with the recipient of this year's award."