Dr. Sue Follon Scholarship for Leadership

Dr. Sue Follon served as Vice President for Educational and Student Services at the University of Northern Iowa from 1985 until her death from lung cancer on November 4, 1998. She was the first woman to be named a vice president at UNI.

Scholarship Background

Dr. Follon’s leadership style was built on helping others develop their own gifts and “soar” in their own right. She was never one to seek the limelight herself, but rather concentrated on empowering others. Dr. Follon was known for her listening skills, attention to the individual and her commitment to community. Students and their development were her central focus, and she was a strong advocate for programs and policies which promoted this. She delighted in her interactions with students and called many by name.

Prior to coming to UNI, Dr. Follon served as the executive director of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women from 1976-1985. She was untiring in her efforts to promote equality and justice. Former Gov. Ray said, “I believe she moved the cause of women’s rights so far — as much as any person I know. She knew people were adverse to change and understood that people responded to a cause when it was presented in a civil fashion.”

Dr. Follon received her B.S. in biology from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1963, her master’s in College Student Personnel Services from UNI in 1970 and her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Drake University in 1983. She was born on June 22, 1942, to Oliver and Mary Rebecca Follon of Volga, Iowa. Other positions held included service as assistant dean of students and coordinator of student activities at Buena Vista College, director of Campbell Hall at UNI and high school teacher in Delmar. Her awards included the Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice, Salute Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Progress of Women, Iowa’s Outstanding Young Woman of the Year in 1976 and a Merit Award from the Iowa Wesleyan College Alumni Association.

Scholarship Guidelines for 2024-2025

Description and Criteria: This scholarship recognizes students for their leadership contributions during their tenure at UNI and potential to model leadership for women. Applicants should show evidence of leadership potential through their awareness of the breadth of issues impacting college student success; demonstrated efforts to make a difference; demonstrated commitment to serving others; and ethical behavior.

The committee will consider both breadth and depth of leadership activities. Applicants must be undergraduate students who have completed at least 30 credit hours at UNI at the time of application and will be returning for the following academic year as an undergraduate student (both fall and spring semesters) and are required to be full-time students each semester. A cumulative grade point of 3.25 or higher is required.

Process: Students who meet the criteria for the scholarship, based on completing their UNI Scholarship Application, will be contacted via their UNI email to complete the specific scholarship application following the priority deadline for UNI Scholarship Application, which is Friday, February 7th, 2025.

Amount: At least one (1) $4,500 one-year award applied directly to the student's university bill (half each semester).

Award Presentation: The scholarship will be awarded in the spring.