Andruw Rodriquez, Howard, and Vanessa Lopez, Gretna (Neb.), have been awarded the prestigious Pillars Academic Scholarships and will attend Southwestern College in the fall of 2025. 

The Pillars Academic Scholarship, a merit-based award that recognizes two students who demonstrate outstanding academic abilities, will provide full-tuition support to Rodriquez and Lopez. Both scholarships are renewable for four years and valued at approximately $150,000.

Rodriquez is the son of Thomas Rodriquez Jr., and Stacie Baumgartel, and attends West Elk High School.  He plans to major in psychology and participate in the Leadership program.

Lopez is the daughter of Imelda Perez and Juan Carlos Lopez and attends Gretna High School in Nebraska.  She plans to major in business and participate in theatre and choir.

According to Stephannie DeLong, vice president for enrollment management, the college received a number of applications.

“With 59 students attending the Pillars competition from all over the United States, we were excited to host such accomplished students,” DeLong says.  “The finalists invited to campus demonstrated their leadership and academic excellence in essays and interviews and exemplify the heart of true Builders.”

Southwestern is currently accepting applications for the Moundbuilder Spirit Scholarship, which recognizes student leaders who are well-rounded, hardworking, and community-minded. Two students will be selected to receive a full-tuition scholarship.  Applications are due by January 20.  

Southwestern's competitive full-tuition scholarship program began in 2016. As the number of students applying for admission to Southwestern has grown, the number applying to compete for the full-tuition competition has also increased. Since the beginning, the full-tuition program has attracted a talented and diverse group of students to apply. Each year a large proportion of the students who compete for the full-tuition awards, but are not selected as the recipients choose to come to Southwestern.

“In addition to our Pillars and Moundbuilder Spirit scholarships, we also offer a transfer full tuition scholarship to one incoming transfer student per year,” DeLong adds.  “Applications for the transfer competition open in April with competition on campus this summer.”