The Bishop’s Scholarships to Briar Cliff University are awarded to students who exemplify initiative, the ability to help organize community activities, demonstrate leadership in their home parish, an active faith life, a strong work ethic, and strong academic performance. The demonstration of these qualities gives a strong indication of an individual’s ability to become a future leader in both their community and the Catholic Church. Encouraging leadership in these areas is a fundamental goal of the Diocese of Sioux City and thus the impetus for these awards.

Bishop Nickless takes a great deal of pride and ownership in these awards and meets with the award recipients twice a year for a dinner and conversation. The conversation focuses upon the student’s development academically, emotionally, spiritually and as a leader in their faith and on the Briar Cliff campus. Examples of discussion topics in the past have included student’s spiritual growth resulting from attending a Catholic university, work with Habitat for Humanity, and working with the homeless. Other discussion topic examples include how Catholic education has helped them grow as individuals and how they hope to help their Church and community grow in the future

The Diocese of Sioux City shall select annually two graduating seniors to receive the Bishop's scholarship to attend Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. These selective awards target students with high academic performance, a GPA of 3.25 or higher, an ACT of 24 or higher (equivalent SAT of 1100 or higher) and rank in the top 50% of their class. Applicants must belong to a parish within the Diocese of Sioux City and have the support of their pastor. The Scholars are eligible for a four-year award if they maintain a 3.0 grade point average while attending Briar Cliff University. The scholarship increases annually beginning with a freshmen award of $5,000, sophomore award of $5,500, junior award of $6,500 and a senior award of $8,000. The application is due on or before February 1, 2010.

Please provide examples of the qualities listed below in your application letter and the three letters of recommendation accompanying your application.

• Initiative: Share examples of how the applicant has started activities, jobs, or services in their community.

• Organizer: Share examples of how the applicant has organized groups of individuals for a task or to meet a need.

• Active faith life: Share examples of how the applicant has developed spiritually. What activities and experiences has the applicant been involved in. Examples include regular prayer, attendance at mass, adoration, retreat experience, etc.

• Activity and Leadership in the Church: Please show how the applicant has been active and demonstrated leadership in their parish.

• Academic criteria: Please include the following information with your letter of application: ACT or SAT score and grade point average

• Work ethic: Share examples of the applicants work experiences and beliefs.