July Student of the Month

Scholarship: Wells Fargo, Science Post Graduate Scholarship Fund
School: University of Oklahoma
Degree: Aviation – Professional Pilot

GPA: 4.0

Community Service

• National Honor Society – 125 Hours Total

• Oklahoma RUF/NEKS – 4 Hours/Month

   

Ralph Keen is from Omaha, Nebraska, an alumnus of Elkhorn South High School, and currently attends the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma which is headquartered in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Mr. Keen is studying Aviation with a concentration on becoming a professional pilot, and Business Administration with a concentration in management. He holds a perfect 4.000 GPA through his first 52 college credits. He was recently named to the University College Dean and OU President’s Honor Roll, two of the highest honors an undergraduate can receive at the University of Oklahoma. Ralph plans on becoming an airline pilot after college, with a focus on giving back to his native community afterward by offering scholarships and flight training to other Native Americans wishing to enter his field. In high school, he was involved in many activities and extracurriculars including football, wrestling, speech, show choir, concert choir, quiz bowl, and National Honor Society. Mr. Keen was also a captain of the football and speech teams and was an academic all-state selection in football, wrestling, and speech. While a member of the National Honor Society, Ralph completed over 150 hours of community service in the hopes of bettering his community. Currently, Mr. Keen is a member of the Oklahoma RUF/NEKS, the oldest all-male spirit organization in the United States, works at Chipotle Mexican Grill and is working to revive the once formidable University of Oklahoma speech team.

To be a Native Forward scholar has meant the world to me. Knowing that there are people who are willing to support me financially and emotionally to help me succeed in my education is a feeling like no other. When I went to college I had little idea how I was going to pay for my education, but with the continued support of Native Forward, I have been able to create a path to financial success during college. Knowing that I have financial support from Native Forward has empowered me to become the best possible student I can be. I have flourished in my academics and become involved in many different organizations around campus. This ability to join organizations on my campus has allowed me to meet new people and experience things I never would have before, all because of the Native Forward Scholars Fund; The support I have received from Native Forward truly has meant the world to me, and I cannot express my gratitude enough. Without their support, I would be in a much worse financial position and wouldn’t be the person I am today.

Want to be our next Student of the Month? Apply here!