Right now, there are academically qualified, highly motivated students studying in classrooms all across the state of Indiana, asking questions, reading, learning, dreaming—and, for some, worrying that a college education is beyond their grasp.

Reaching out to students who face serious obstacles to continuing their education is an important part of keeping Purdue accessible to the people of Indiana. It therefore gives me great pleasure and pride to tell you about a very special scholarship program designed to dramatically change the lives of these students—the Purdue Opportunity Awards program. Every year, this program will provide a full scholarship for one entering student from each of Indiana's 92 counties who faces unusual personal challenges and financial hardships. These students will receive additional financial support in subsequent years to ensure that a lack of money will not be a barrier to their succeeding at Purdue.

With this program, our message to these young people is clear: We are going to help sweep the obstacles away.

Our young people are some of our greatest assets. It is each generation's primary responsibility to educate the generation that follows. Through their education, our young people will build a new and better tomorrow for all of us. This scholarship program is part of Purdue's commitment to make that education available to deserving students, no matter what obstacles stand in their way. Through the Purdue Opportunity Awards program, they will have the means to go on and make their contributions to society, for the benefit of all.