Northwest Missouri State University drew the names of 11 fully vaccinated students on Oct. 1 as part of its efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccine rates, and one of those students received a $10,000 scholarship prize. 

Kate Kilpatrick initially thought someone was pranking her when she received the phone call from Wellness Services to inform her of the grand prize. She is a sophomore from Warrenton, Missouri, who is majoring in geology major with an environmental emphasis.  

“I was really hoping to win free parking,” said Kilpatrick, who entered the drawing with her roommates by providing copies of their vaccine records to Wellness Services. “I was like, ‘Guys, let’s hope one of us wins free parking. That would be convenient.’ But (the scholarship) works … It definitely helps me and my parents.”

The drawing was the last of four by the University this fall that awarded, in addition to the grand prize, $2,500 scholarships, parking passes, $100 Bearcat Bookstore gift cards and $50 in Campus Dining dollars to students who submitted copies of their vaccination records. The prizes for students totaled more than $70,000 in value.

Kilpatrick, who received the vaccine during the summer in her hometown, said she was motivated to get the shots because of her father’s battle with cancer and a desire to help protect her family.

“I just thought it would help,” she said. “Why would I not, when it could like help me or others.”

In addition to the $10,000 scholarship Kilpatrick received, 10 students received $2,500 scholarships as a result of their names being drawn Oct. 1. Those recipients are:

• Lilly Cook
• Matthias Chaplin
• Luundo Fataki
• Peyton Kelderman
• Cole Lammel
• Olivia Malay
• Khloe Niesen
• Josie Ratliff
• Kunal Vohra
• Abigail Waits

The COVID-19 vaccine remains available on campus and locally, and Northwest strongly encourages vaccination to maximize protection from the virus and its variants. Unvaccinated students and employees may call Wellness Services at 660.562.1348 to schedule an appointment for a vaccine. To find other COVID-19 vaccine locations, visit www.vaccines.gov.

For more CDC information about safe activities for vaccinated individuals, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html.

For more information about Northwest’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including current case reports for Northwest and Nodaway County and answers to frequently asked questions, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/alert/coronavirus/.