2022-2023 Clark Merit Scholars
The Clark Merit Scholars for the 2022-2023 academic year are Jenna Meehan ’23, Anh Nguyen ’23, Ryan Smith ’23, Skyler Stookey ’23 and JoAnna Voss ’23.
The Clark Merit Award provides a scholarship equal to one year's tuition for each recipient. These students have been selected by a committee of faculty members and a member of the Board of Trustees based on their integrity, intellect, leadership and social responsibility.
Meet the Clark Merit Scholars:
Jenna Meehan ’23, Political Science and Social and Criminal Justice
To say Meehan believes in education is a vast understatement. In fact, she is hoping to become the Director of the Iowa Department of Education someday, and ultimately, the Secretary of Education of the United States of America. During her time at Coe, Meehan has engaged in every opportunity to gain real-world experience and help young people in the community. She has served as an intern for United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States, AmeriCorps Teen Mentor for the Multicultural Family Center, Student Learning Specialist for Kids on Course and Office of Legislative Affairs Intern for the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C. She has also held many leadership positions on campus including Vice President of Academic Excellence and Student Senator.
“Receiving the Clark Merit Scholarship has been the culmination of my experiences at Coe. From interning on Capitol Hill to accepting Sorority of the Year on behalf of Alpha Gamma Delta, this scholarship signals to me that my experiences and contributions to the Coe community were valued. The continued generosity of the Clark family has made it possible for me to excel during my Senior year.”
Anh Nguyen ’23, Public Accounting and Business Administration
The Clark Merit Scholarship is among Nguyen’s long list of accolades. Her dedication to break down biases and stereotypes against women in her home country of Vietnam has garnered the attention of various prestigious organizations. Nguyen has been awarded the Discover Japan National Scholarship, the Association of Accountant and Financial Professionals in Business IMA Scholarship and the Coe College Global Leadership Scholarship. She is an aspiring accountant — a lifelong dream of her mother’s which she was not able to complete due to the societal pressures she faced in Vietnam. Nguyen has served the Coe community in various leadership roles such as a Student Senator, Peer Education Leader, College Adjustment Peer (CAP) Leader and member of Model UN.
"I am honored to receive this award! It marks my four-year education at Coe and confirms that everything I have been working on is worth the effort and time. This recognition motivated me to continue current projects, making those meaningful and practical for my career and the community."
Ryan Smith ’23, Business Administration and Economics
If this Clark Merit Scholar can help someone, he will. Smith is a student-athlete and Spellman Research Associate who is planning to become a financial analyst. His motivations are inspiring as he hopes to be defined by the impact of his actions. The cross country and track and field runner does everything possible to form a strong team. Whether it’s becoming a first-year student’s initial friend on campus or helping teammates work on their form, Smith is passionate about uplifting others. He volunteers for the Special Olympics, plants and harvests at a local cooperative organic farm and serves as a mentor in the Ames Middle School Super Summer program. Professionally, he plans to utilize his education to improve people’s financial situation.
“I am very thankful to receive the Clark Merit Scholarship for the 2022-2023 school year. Coe College has provided ample opportunity for me to grow as a student and as a person. This scholarship will allow me to continue pursuing my goals with less financial worry.”
Skyler Stookey ’23, Elementary Education and Kinesiology
As a lifelong softball player and future elementary school teacher, Stookey knows the value of teamwork and wants to be known as a kind and supportive role model. At Coe, she mentors Kohawks through her many roles as a College Adjustment Peer (CAP) leader, a volunteer for the Coe College softball camps and a member of the Coe Student Education Association and Student Athlete Advisory committees. She is involved in youth sports in her hometown of Solon, Iowa, working in the parks and recreation department. In addition to completing her senior year at Coe, Stookey is currently employed in the Solon Community School District where she works with special education students and substitute teaches for high school Spanish and physical education.
“Receiving the prestigious Clark Merit Scholarship allows me to continue focusing on the betterment of Coe College and surrounding communities. Through my involvement in athletics, leadership roles, and classroom engagement, I will continue to leave my mark on Coe and pave the way for future generations of Kohawks!”
JoAnna Voss ’23, English and Business Administration with a minor in Economics
Inspiration for Voss has come directly from the people she loves. She aspires to be an attorney like her mom, and her dad’s character and commitment to helping others has shaped the kind of attorney she would like to be. Currently, Voss works as an assistant and receptionist at a law firm to gain first-hand experience in the field before law school. She’s learned to see the potential in every person and be a supportive mentor thanks to her parents and experiences at Coe. Voss is a volleyball player at Coe and a member of the Pre-Law Society, and she serves on the Student Athlete Leadership committee and Coe College Tutoring services.
“I am extremely blessed and grateful to have been chosen as a recipient for this scholarship. It is truly a testament to the people around me, both here at Coe and in my past community, that have played an integral role in my development as a person.”
The Clark Merit Awards are funded by an endowment created in 1995 by the late Coe alumnus K. Raymond Clark ’30. Clark's gratitude and loyalty to his alma mater were unequivocally and magnificently evidenced by his service as a member of Coe's Board of Trustees from 1966 until his death in 2005 and by his unparalleled record of personal giving to the institution. The Clark Racquet Center and Clark Field, Clark Alumni House, Contemporary Issues Forum and Clark Endowment for Merit Awards have significantly enhanced the Coe educational experience and greatly strengthened the institution.