Scholarships Mold People and Futures

Trey Nixon’s scholarship and the choices it gave him have provided him opportunities and shaped his future in aerospace engineering.

“Ever since I was young, I had a passion for taking things apart, analyzing them, and putting them back together, just to understand how they worked and maybe even make them better! I became passionate about engineering and the opportunity to advance my skills and abilities to make things better every day. When I was awarded the Lilly Scholarship, I decided to attend Indiana State University (ISU) and instead of being overwhelmed by the debt of student loans or needing to find work to pay for school, the Lilly Scholarship enabled me to focus on my education and get involved in activities on the campus. It inspired me to grow in areas of leadership and communication as part of the Black Student Union and in co-establishing a chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers at ISU.”

“As an undergraduate engineering student at ISU, I wanted to work in the field of Aerospace Engineering, but I thought that I would be forced to move out of state after graduation to begin my career in that field. I’m a Lilly Scholar, though, and taking to heart the purpose of that scholarship, I wanted to give back to the state of Indiana and worked hard to find my path in-state. I can proudly say that I was accepted to the University Relations Program at Honeywell, Inc. in South Bend, Indiana.”

“Winning the Lilly Scholarship played a significant role in shaping me into who I am today. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology and a minor in Advanced Manufacturing Management in May 2015. I am now a Manufacturing Engineer II at Honeywell Inc., in South Bend, a part of their Aerospace Division. I have been a part of Honeywell and a resident of Mishawaka, Indiana, for almost 4 years. I work directly in the Carbon Maintenance Department, where I utilize my leadership and problem-solving skills to not only repair equipment issues but also to improve equipment function, which helps to avoid problem reoccurrences, improving process capability. Outside of work, I stay involved in the Michiana community through my church, Christian Life Center, also located in South Bend.”