Coke awards Native American scholarships

Growing up on an American Indian reservation in Fort Defiance, Ariz., Brian Yazzie watched the members of his community go without adequate health care because they could not communicate with medical professionals.

“Back home, there are still people who don’t speak English but use our native tongue,” said Yazzie, a member of the Navajo Nation. “When they go to the hospital, the doctors only speak English.”

Yazzie, 24 and a junior at KU, plans to become a pharmacist and return to the reservation to help bridge that gap. Thanks to the Coca-Cola Native American Scholarship Program, he has just received the financial support he needs to pursue a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy.

Established by the Coca-Cola Foundation through a $30,000 gift to the KU Endowment Association, the Coca-Cola Native American Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to three students who transfer to KU from Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence.

Haskell students whose interests are outside programs offered sometimes transfer to other universities to complete their degrees.

Haskell students, who are accustomed to paying just $105 per semester for tuition, books, and room and board, often face financial hardship.

In addition to Yazzie, Christopher Drymon, Northpoint, Ala., sophomore, and Felicia Impson, Supai, Ariz., junior, have been selected to receive Coca-Cola Native American Scholarships. Drymon, a member of the Navajo and Osage nations, wants to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in math at KU. He would like to practice code breaking.

Impson, a member of the Havasupai Nation, is working toward a degree in social welfare. She plans to pursue a career with Indian Health Services.