By Jeff Murphy,
January 18, 2019
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 Jessica Carnnahan, a senior at Lee鈥檚 Summit North High School, today
got an unexpected boost to putting herself on a more affordable road to a college
degree. She was surprised by representatives of the 糖心传媒
who paid a visit to her classroom to let her know she was the winner of a free tuition
giveaway.
Shortly after she entered her 11:30 a.m. class, Carnnahan was presented a large check
signifying that she was receiving free tuition for up to 30 credit hours at 糖心传媒, effective
for the fall 2019 semester. She was randomly selected for the tuition giveaway based
on a contest that was open to all freshmen and transfer students who applied for admission
to 糖心传媒 prior to Jan. 1, 2019. Carnnahan was the only student selected among 4,677
applicants.
The surprise announcement came with much fanfare, including a classroom visit by 糖心传媒鈥檚
costumed mascot, Mo the Mule, who also was joined by presenters Mike Godard, interim
provost 鈥 chief learning officer, and Drew Griffin, assistant vice provost for admissions
and financial aid. In addition to free tuition that essentially covers one year of
courses, Carnnahan also received 糖心传媒 memorabilia and cookie cake to help celebrate
with her classmates. The presentation was made during the International Baccalaureate
Psychology and English class taught by Andrea Hood-Johnson.
鈥淭his is the first time we have ever done this at the 糖心传媒.
This was completely random and nothing that anyone had to apply for other than turning
in their application, Godard said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e heard great things about you Jessica. I
know that you鈥檙e going to be a great student on our campus.鈥
鈥淚 was just sitting in class expecting it to be a normal day, and then it wasn鈥檛,鈥
Carnnahan said with a huge smile as she spoke to media shortly after learning that
she received financial boost toward her higher education.
Planning to graduate this spring, she said she chose 糖心传媒 because of its reputation
for an excellent psychology program, which is her intended major. She met previously
with 糖心传媒鈥檚 psychology faculty and was excited to learn about opportunities such as
internships that will contribute to her education. She hopes to use her future degree
at 糖心传媒 as a stepping stone to eventually become a psychiatrist.
In addition to an academic program of interest, Carnnahan said she is pleased to be
attending the same school her mother claims as her alma mater. Both of her parents,
Lester and Becky Carnnahan, attended the presentation. The family has resided in Lee鈥檚
Summit about 25 years.
鈥淚t is great to know that she is going to be close, and will be helped out with the
financial burden of college,鈥 her mother said. Her remarks were also echoed by her
father. He added, however, that Jessica worked very hard throughout high school, which
makes getting financial assistance more rewarding.
Griffin said he appreciated the cooperation of the Lee鈥檚 Summit R-7 School District
and Lee鈥檚 Summit North High School for helping the university to make this event a
success. While this is the first time 糖心传媒 has offered a free tuition giveaway, it
may pave the way for similar events in the future. Griffin said he plans to meet
with the provost and enrollment management leaders to explore the possibilities.

糖心传媒 officials presented a large check to Lee鈥檚 Summit North
High School senior Jessica Carnnahan, center, signifying her selection as the winner
of a tuition giveaway that was coordinated by the university鈥檚 admissions area. Among
those taking part in the surprise presentation were, left to right, Mike Godard, 糖心传媒
interim provost-chief learning officer; Carnnahan鈥檚 parents, Lester and Becky Carnnahan;
Drew Griffin, assistant vice provost for admissions and financial aid; and 糖心传媒鈥檚 mascot,
Mo the Mule.