Humerickhouse receives Dain Garrett Merit Award

Andrea Humerickhouse, a sophomore history major from Mt. Vernon, Indiana, is this year's recipient of the Dain Garrett Merit Award. The award along with a $2,400 scholarship is presented to a student who has overcome a significant physical, financial or academic obstacle. 

The scholarship was established by Dain Garrett, a USI student who despite struggling with muscular dystrophy, graduated summa cum laude. Garrett was the recipient of numerous cash awards given by the USI History Department, and used those funds to establish an annual cash prize to help other USI students facing hardships. He passed away just prior to receiving a master's degree from California State University Dominguez Hills. Garrett was the son of Connie Pitzer of Evansville and Don Garrett of Carmi.

Humerickhouse, a non-traditional student-married with a daughter, two sons and a stepson and working a full-time job-initially enrolled at USI in 1999. She left after a year for a variety of personal reasons, but rallied and returned in 2012. In the last year she has attended USI full-time and, with the support of her family, is making great progress toward her degree and ultimately her goal of teaching high school history. She is a past member of the USI Chamber Choir.

The department was moved by Humerickhouse's essay, outlining her personal and financial struggles and her determination to continue working toward her degree.

Contributions to the Dain Garrett Merit Scholarship are accepted by the USI Foundation.