Siblings Amy Lingo and John Shearer meet the first recipient of a scholarship that honors their parents

February 24, 2023

By Tessa Chilton

The Oakie & Sue Shearer Memorial Scholarship Fund was created by siblings Amy Lingo, Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Development, and John Shearer, Senior Development Manager at Constellation Energy. The scholarship is meant to support first-generation college students.

Lingo and Shearer are both first-generation college students and created the scholarship to honor their late parents, Oakie and Sue Shearer. “My parents always valued education,” said Lingo. “My parents made so many sacrifices so that my brother and I could go to college. We know the financial struggles and the benefits of a college degree.”

Lingo and Shearer established the scholarship after their father, Oakie Shearer passed away in 2021. “I am extremely passionate about providing support so students can achieve success in their chosen degree. As a first-generation student I wasn’t aware of the challenges that I would experience while in college,” said Lingo. “We’re both established in our careers now, so we wanted to find a way to positively impact students.”

This year was the first year that the scholarship funds were awarded to a student. Lingo and Shearer met with the first recipient, Miranda Pleshek, last month.

Pleshek is from a small town near Green Bay, Wisconsin and is currently seeking a dual certification bachelor of science in early elementary education and moderate and severe disabilities (MSD). She is expected to graduate in May 2023.

Pleshek has dreamed of becoming a teacher since she was a child as she spent her time dressing up and writing spelling tests for her dolls “I spent over one hundred hours in a kindergarten classroom during my senior year of high school and I knew that this is where my heart was,” said Pleshek. “I want to be a person that can add a sense of safety, comfort, and peace to children’s lives while also helping them grow and strive toward success socially, emotionally, and academically.”

Pleshek was inspired to attend the University of Louisville after passing it on a family vacation. “Wanting to go out of state was a shock to most people who knew me, but I am forever grateful I took a leap to come here,” said Pleshek. “It was challenging mentally, academically, and financially. Being a first-generation college student poses challenges, but I feel proud to graduate with a four-year degree to show my family what I have accomplished and show them that it's because of them.”

Pleshek, Student Teaching

Pleshek said she was emotional when she found out she was the recipient for the Shearer Memorial Scholarship. “Going to college is something that I always wanted to do and knew I would have to work hard for, but the truth is I only knew how hard I was going to have to work academically,” said Pleshek. During college she ended up working four jobs as a full-time student all while completing practicum hours. “I was working every night of the week/weekends and working fourteen-hour days during the summer,” she explained. “This (scholarship) allows me to focus on my educational goals and becoming the best future educator. It is an honor to be chosen.”

First-generation students are the first in their families to attend University and many face challenges like navigating a college campus without their parents as a resource, covering living expenses outside of tuition, and fitting in in a foreign social setting. “My experience at as a first-generation college student has fueled my focus on student success as a leader,” said Lingo. “First-generation students are often under resourced and it’s my job to make sure they are supported financially, academically, and socially.”

After graduation this May, Pleshek plans to teach internationally in Belize for over a week and then apply for jobs in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS). “I’m excited to find a classroom I can be successful in and begin preparing to transition into my own classroom this fall,” said Pleshek.

 

If you’re interested in a Dual Certification Bachelor of Science in Early Elementary Education and Moderate and Severe Disabilities (MSD) please visit our website for more information.

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