When a college graduate decides to leave the workforce and enter graduate school, the financial consequences can be overwhelming. Thanks to a scholarship for a one-year rent-free apartment at Arbor Creek Apartments, a Midwestern State University graduate student will have one less financial worry.

Kristan Aduddell is the recipient of the 2017-2018 Arbor Creek Apartment Scholarship from Maven Management, Arbor Creek's management company. She is pursuing a Master in Sports Administration. Kristan graduated from MSU magna cum laude in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a minor in business administration.

During her undergraduate time at MSU, Kristan received the President's Scholarship all four years and was an Outstanding Sophomore Woman of the Year nominee. She served as Student Ambassador from 2012-2014. She is a member of several national honor societies, including Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, the Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Pi Mu Epsilon.

After graduation, Kristan worked as a high school math teacher and coach for a year, then decided to return to MSU and finish her eligibility on the MSU volleyball team, where she is captain.

"This scholarship has been a tremendous help financially," Kristan said. "I have really been able to enjoy my senior season on the volleyball court and have plenty of time for my academics since I haven't had to worry about having enough money for bills and groceries. I am very grateful."

Dr. Kathryn Zuckweiler, Dean of the Dr. Billie Doris McAda Graduate School, said that MSU is fortunate to have great community partnerships that recognize and celebrate academic success. "I know that Kristan will appreciate the opportunity provided to her by Arbor Creek, and we at MSU applaud their continued commitment," Zuckweiler said.

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 nine 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 nine 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."