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When Rene Horne, Â鶹ÊÓƵ Department of Communication and Media student, was recently awarded The LAGRANT Foundation (TLF) scholarship for ethnically diverse college and university students across the nation, she became the first Â鶹ÊÓƵ student to ever receive this scholarship award.

“As a transfer junior who just left the Navy, everything was new to me and I didn't feel my voice had weight compared to others. Silly, I know. What changed the tide for me was reading the testimonials from other students on LAGRANT's website and how much this experience affected them personally and professionally,” said Horne about her national recognition.

Horne, who decided to write her scholarship essay not just for herself, but for other students who felt or feel similar to how she did in that moment, wrote on scraps of paper while in transition between classes or via her phone’s Notes app when she was working at the local Target. Finally, after a few weeks, she believed she had something she could stand by, no matter the results.

“This award doesn't validate me or give my voice credit. This award proved to me that I was the only one standing in my way. I hope that other students, future and present, do take advantage of the application process next year so we can continue to let the world know who Â鶹ÊÓƵ is and that we are more than a college in a small town,” said Horne. “My advice to my peers and future Â鶹ÊÓƵ students would be you're not going to write the right thing at the right time, but you will write something magical in time."

In celebration of its 22nd anniversary, The LAGRANT Foundation awarded a total of $200,000 in scholarships to 67 students.  TLF is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, was established in 1998 by Kim L. Hunter to address the lack of diversity in the advertising, marketing and public relations fields. TLF provides scholarships, career development workshops, professional development, mentors and internships to African American/Black, American Indian/Native American, Asian American/Pacific Islander and Hispanic/Latino undergraduate and graduate students. Since its establishment, TLF has awarded $2.38 million in scholarships to 521 ethnic minority students and has provided in excess of 300 internships and full-time employment.

For more information about the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Department of Communication and Media, please visit lamar.edu/communication.