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Humana Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship Awards

The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), today announced 80 winners of college scholarships awarded through the Humana Foundation Scholarship Program.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250826215584/en/

Humana employee Cyrena Ferrell with her son Lucas Driskell, incoming Murray State University freshman and one of 80 new scholarship recipients from the Humana Foundation.

Humana employee Cyrena Ferrell with her son Lucas Driskell, incoming Murray State University freshman and one of 80 new scholarship recipients from the Humana Foundation.

Scholarships provide up to $3,000 for postsecondary education for children of Humana employees. Annual awards are renewable for up to three years or until completion of a degree or program with a total possible award of $12,000.

This year’s scholarship recipients were selected from a total of 653 applicants nationwide and chosen based on a combination of academic achievement, leadership ability and financial need. Applicants are eligible for the scholarship program if they are a high school senior or graduate, or a college student enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study during the upcoming fall semester.

For the third consecutive year, the Humana Foundation’s scholarship program included expanded eligibility to allow for applicants attending accredited vocational and technical schools in the United States or Puerto Rico. Previously, only applicants enrolled in two- or four-year colleges were able to apply.

In addition to this year’s 80 new scholarship winners, 169 students renewed their scholarship from the 2024 academic year.

“We’re proud to support the children of our employees and help them take the next step in their education,” said Jim Rechtin, President and CEO of Humana and Director of The Humana Foundation. “These scholarships show how much we believe in their potential and are committed to helping them succeed.”

Louisville-area students received 18 of the 80 scholarships awarded across the U.S. Louisville-area winners and the colleges/universities they will attend next fall are:

  • Adam Burkhead, Eastern Kentucky University
  • Kasey Clark, University of Kentucky
  • Melania Douglass, University of Kentucky
  • Lucas Driskell, Murray State University
  • Tanay Eedarapalli, University of Louisville
  • Ashlynn Ellis, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
  • Layla Fischer, Louisiana State University
  • Austin Graves, Purdue University
  • Lauren Hasenour, Indiana University Southeast
  • Allison Karagianis, Murray State University
  • Shaivisri Koya, University of Cincinnati
  • Myranda Mitchell, University of Louisville
  • Anna Moran, University of Kentucky
  • Alena Polimati, Indiana University Bloomington
  • Teagan Thomas, Indiana University Southeast
  • Elyssa Tingle, Asbury University
  • Alyssa Ware, Logan University
  • Mackenzie Weatherford, Manchester University

“Our scholarship program supports tomorrow’s leaders by helping students reach their career goals and realize their full potential,” said Humana Foundation CEO, Tiffany Benjamin. “We’re proud to award scholarships to these students who represent the creativity, determination and vision that will shape a brighter future in our communities.”

Since 2001, the Humana Foundation has awarded more than $15.7 million to assist 1,700-plus children of Humana employees in their pursuit of higher education.

Cyrena Ferrell, a Quality Audit Coordinator for Humana’s Resolution Team, is the mother of 2025 scholarship winner Lucas Driskell, who will attend Murray State University to study sociology this fall.

“(Lucas) is honored to be chosen for this scholarship,” said Cyrena. “It wasn’t until recently that he decided he wanted to change his major to pursue a degree in which he can help positively change the lives of those around him and those after. His favorite quote is ‘with great power comes great responsibility,’ and he believes it is our duty to help each other when we can and build communities that are united for the common good of all.”

About the Humana Foundation

The Humana Foundation was established in 1981 as the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. and is focused on health equity, working to eliminate unjust, avoidable and unnecessary barriers in health and healthcare. The Foundation fosters evidence-based collaborations and investments that help people in underserved communities live connected, healthy lives. As a steward of good health, the Foundation creates healthy emotional connections for people and communities and is shaping a healthier approach to nutrition to support lifelong well-being. For more information, visit humanafoundation.org

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