Last summer, Bobby Wassel worked four jobs to save enough money to pay his tuition to Ohio State. He worked as a life guard at Kings Island; tutored elementary-school math students; apprenticed with a carpenter, building and installing homes; and he delivered newspapers. His work week was eight days long, Monday to Monday.

“I saved $4,000, but not enough to cover tuition and extra costs,” said Wassel, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. Then Wassel received word that he had been awarded a Students First, Students Now scholarship – enough money to secure Wassel a place in the 2010 incoming freshman.

Wassel doesn’t have to search for words when describing the impact of the scholarship on his future. “When I opened my email and found out about the scholarship, I could finally breathe a little. I knew I had a chance.”Wassel’s scholarship was made possible by the generosity of Keith and Linda Monda, who invested in the Students First, Students Now scholarship fund to provide support for Ohio undergraduates to pursue their education and dreams.

Wassel is an Honors student with a major in biology and hopes to practice medicine or do research; he would like to serve his country as well. “My dream is to practice medicine in the military and maybe someday develop a new vaccine,” he said.

Fall quarter, Wassel earned a 4.0 grade point average while taking chemistry, calculus and Spanish.

Introduced by President E. Gordon Gee in December 2008, Students First, Students Now is a university-wide initiative designed to ensure continued access to education for Ohio State students. Since many families are experiencing financial hardships in the current economy, the university is committed to helping students come to Ohio State, and stay enrolled once they arrive. Help Ohio State put Students First, Students Now.Make a gift today