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When Tara M. Neavins ’93, Ph.D., and her daughters, Sofia and Angelica, delivered 175 colorful, hand-tied fleece blankets to a clinic in Sacramento, California, they weren’t just offering warmth. They were offering dignity, choice, and compassion to survivors of sexual assault.

Made by the girls’ local Girl Scout troop with support from the Lori Ann Schwab ’95 Alumni Grant, the blankets replaced drab hospital-issued coverings with vibrant patterns, bright colors, and messages of empowerment. Survivors, some as young as five, were invited to choose the blanket they liked best, restoring a measure of agency in a moment often defined by fear and powerlessness.

“So much had been taken away from them and lost and now they could make a choice,” says Neavins, who earned her doctorate in human services psychology. “As a psychologist, I know that was an actual intervention that helped prevent long-term harm. They now have a choice, and that matters.”

The project also sparked powerful conversations within the troop about sexual violence. “They felt empowered, too,” Neavins says. “They felt heard; they felt seen.”

Remembering Lori Ann Schwab

Created in 2006 by Doug and Lisbeth Schwab in honor of their daughter, the alumni grant program honors Lori Ann Schwab ’95, a Berkeley native and ΢���ƽ� art major who died suddenly from an illness while studying abroad in London.

Lori’s parents used the collective memorial gifts that were received after her passing to fund the program. Alumni from the classes of 1992 to 1998, who would have overlapped with Lori’s time at ΢���ƽ�, are eligible to apply for the grant. More than 40 alumni have now received the award.

The program provides up to $2,000 to as many as five alumni each year for projects that reflect Lori’s values. Known for her compassion and activism, Lori volunteered at the campus preschool, advocated for women’s issues, and was deeply committed to making the world a better place by helping others.

“She was quick to smile and give support,” recalls Molly Campe ’96. “She was active beyond the college walls, and she loved working at the preschool.”

Campe became friends with Schwab during her time at ΢���ƽ� and was one of the first recipients of the Lori Ann Schwab Prize for Community Service, another award granted in Schwab’s name to recognize a fourth-year student’s service to the campus and local community.

“Although she was very humble and wouldn’t like the attention, I think Lori would love to know that once a year, we stand and say her name in Herrick Chapel and bring the energy of her life to the surface again,” says Campe. “She lived a great life, and it’s important we remember her year after year. I think she would love that we remember her by supporting others who are doing good.”

Art, Access, and Community

In 2024, Don Elmore ’98 used his Schwab Grant to bring arts programming to children living in emergency shelters in Dedham, Massachusetts. As the state responded to a rapid influx of migrants by opening two emergency shelters, more than 160 families — many with young children — found themselves without access to enrichment or recreational activities. Most children, even those enrolled in local public schools, couldn’t participate in after-school programs due to transportation barriers.

In response, a group of local volunteers, including art teachers, community members, and the Dedham Arts Boosters, stepped in to create art-based enrichment sessions at the shelters.

“With the award, we were able to purchase supplies like Magna-Tiles, building toys, and general art materials,” says Elmore. “These allowed us to create engaging, hands-on experiences that supported the children’s development and well-being.”

The sessions, which began in late spring 2024 and will continue through winter 2025, focus on creative play, collaborative building, and open-ended art exploration. Each session serves between 12 and 20  children, offering not just activities but a sense of community and resilience.

“The Schwab Award gave us the flexibility to respond quickly,” Elmore says. “And by emphasizing reusable materials, its impact will continue well beyond this year.”

Yoga and Breaking Barriers

Kristin Stuchis ’98 is a two-time Schwab Grant recipient (2013 and 2020) whose work exemplifies the award’s spirit.

In 2013, Stuchis received a Schwab Grant in support of her project, Yoga for All, which allowed her to offer free yoga classes to the Marshalltown community, including residents of a transitional housing program. “It wove people together, broke down barriers, and built community and connections,” she says.

A longtime Spanish heritage teacher at Marshalltown High School, where more than 60% of students identify as Latinx, Stuchis wanted to build something lasting for her students. With help from her 2020 Schwab Grant, Stuchis created the Heritage Spanish Resource Center (HSRC), featuring books by Latinx authors. From poetry and personal memoirs to historical accounts from Mexico, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic, the collection invites students to see their own stories reflected.

“I really needed access to books they’d be interested in,” she says. “It was thrilling to pick them out with the students. They met in the public library over the summer to help me choose titles. Several students have told me, ‘This is the first time I’ve read my own story.’”

That sense of connection has continued to grow, as students are now creating their own stories and presenting reflections on books they read. “They’re so engaged,” Stuchis says. “Now they’re writing and hoping to publish their work as open educational resources this summer. About 40 of them have been working with ISU mentors over the past three years.”

With funds from the grant, Stuchis also purchased gift certificates from Prairie Lights Books, an independent bookstore in Iowa City. This allowed students to purchase additional Latinx titles either online or in person and encouraged the store to increase its inventory of underrepresented voices. “It had an impact in a lot of areas,” says Stuchis.

Carrying Lori’s Light

In the 18 years since its creation, the Lori Ann Schwab ’95 Alumni Grant has emboldened others to carry forth Lori’s legacy of kindness, love, service to community, and commitment to leaving the world a better place. For recipients like Stuchis, Beran, Elmore, Wong, Owen, and Neavins, it’s more than financial support — it’s a seed, a spark, and a legacy.

“My students now are using their voices, sharing their stories, and adding their perspectives to the world,” says Stuchis. “The grant planted a seed, and that seed continues to grow.”

The annual grant application deadline is March 1. .