By Grace Schroller
Two incoming students, Addison Bailey and Zaili Benish, have been awarded the Academic Excellence Scholarship, Doane University’s most prestigious academic award. The scholarship recognizes outstanding academic achievement and provides full tuition coverage.
Each year, the competitive scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence—earning an ACT score of 27 or higher—as well as leadership and community involvement.
Bailey, of Callaway, Nebraska, first discovered Doane’s engineering program at a college fair in Broken Bow. She had been seeking a small university offering a four-year engineering degree, and Doane quickly became her top choice. Her interest deepened with encouragement from her math teacher and Doane alum, Darin Ellis ’88, who helped her envision the possibilities at the university.
Bailey plans to major in engineering with a minor in leadership, although she has not yet chosen a specific emphasis. She is already a member of the Hansen Leadership Program and looks forward to joining a STEM-based club and a youth group once on campus.
In high school, Bailey balanced academics with a full slate of extracurricular activities, including play production, Teammates, Quiz Bowl, band, choir, string ensemble, cheer, National Honor Society, youth group, 4-H, Bible study, competitive tumbling and FFA. She credits her preparedness for college and a STEM major to Ellis and her science teacher Lynette Svenson.
Receiving the Academic Excellence Scholarship is deeply meaningful to Bailey. It validates her hard work and relieves the financial burden of tuition, allowing her to fully pursue her educational goals.
While Bailey was drawn to Doane through its engineering program, Benish, of Gurley, Nebraska, was captivated by the campus environment. From her first visit, she felt a sense of belonging. The close-knit community and warm welcome from students and staff confirmed that Doane was the right fit.
Benish will double major in English/writing and exercise science, with plans to pursue a career in either health and wellness coaching or secondary education. She is excited to explore how her academic interests can intersect to support and inspire others.
She will also be a student-athlete on the women’s basketball team and participate in both the Hansen Leadership Program and the Honors Program. She hopes to get involved in additional clubs and organizations during her time at Doane.
Throughout high school, Benish was active in athletics and the arts. She was a varsity athlete in volleyball, basketball and track and field, played electric bass in concert band and sang alto in the choir. She served as class secretary and was a member of National Honor Society and Letterman’s Club.
Benish attributes much of her success to the opportunities her small high school provided. The supportive environment allowed her to try new things, build confidence and prepare for college-level academics. Her teachers played a key role in helping her reach her goals.
For Benish, receiving the Academic Excellence Scholarship is life-changing. It affirms that her dedication has paid off and shows that the Doane community recognizes her potential. She looks forward to the challenges ahead and hopes to give back—both during her time at Doane and beyond.
Together, Bailey and Benish represent the spirit of the Academic Excellence Scholarship: driven, passionate and ready to make a lasting impact on campus.
