Since Danae Mercer was a little girl, her dream has been to study at Cambridge University or Oxford University. This September, her lifelong dream will come true.
Mercer, an Arts & Sciences senior, is the first Creighton student to win the Davies-Jackson Scholarship, awarded to one student nationally every year.
This scholarship will give Mercer the chance to study political science at St. John’s College at Cambridge on a full scholarship for two years. She will earn a Cantab degree, which is the equivalent of a master’s degree in the United States. Mercer’s scholarship is valued at $50,000, which includes room and board, tuition, travel expenses to and from England and summer living expenses.
The Davies-Jackson Scholarship is awarded to a student whose background closely resembles that of the anonymous donor of the Davies-Jackson Scholarship. The student must be “a first-generation undergraduate with limited financial resources and who has achieved significant intellectual growth through liberal arts studies at a less widely recognized U.S. college or university,” according to the Davies-Jackson Scholarship program Web site.
Mercer knew she was a finalist for the scholarship a few months ago, but she had not heard news of who the winner was since then, and she was getting antsy. Her adviser and mentor, Dr. James Wunsch, professor of Political Science and International Relations, was the first person to know of her winning when he noticed a letter in his mail on Jan. 26.
“Since it lacked a return address on the envelope, I left it where it was in my stack of mail. I thought it was just another piece of junk mail. When I read it, at first my mind just did not register its contents. I had to reread it a couple of times before it sunk in,” Wunsch said.
Mercer first heard the good news at work in the Student Activities Office through a phone call from Dr. Bridget Keegan, associate dean and professor of English and one of Mercer’s mentors. Keegan said Wunsch came over to her office and insisted he talk to her right away.
Keegan and Mercer still do not know what happened to the letter she was to receive, but about a week ago, Mercer finally received her letter with the original postmark date reading Jan. 5, 2009.
Mercer said her support system on campus helped her stay positive and kept her pushing forward while applying for the scholarship. Four mentors she said helped her were Wunsch, Keegan, Lisa Brockhoff, associate director of the Creighton Career Center, and Dr. Terry Clark, professor of Political Science and director of the Graduate Program in International Relations.
“All four have been family and support. They have just been amazing,” Mercer said.
Even though Mercer’s hard work through high school and college paid off, what really gave this scholarship meaning to her was the fact she is the first in her family to graduate from high school and college.
“That added dimension and gave [the scholarship] extra meaning to me,” Mercer said. “It’s crazy to think that this little girl from a trailer park from California is going to Cambridge.”
Wunsch said Mercer has overcome many challenges.
“Danae’s personal journey, through the loss of her mother, then taking care of her younger sister while continuing her studies and supporting herself, is a compelling one,” Wunsch said.
What Mercer has learned from winning this scholarship is that if you work hard, you can achieve anything.
“Regardless of your academic class and background, effort can be that propelling force,” Mercer said.
Keegan said Mercer is a role model for other students and that studying at Cambridge will be a great opportunity for her.
“She is an inspiration to me … and the work she does for others makes me so glad that she is getting good things coming her way because she gives so much to other people,” Keegan said. “She is so others-centered … I think it’s wonderful that someone is thinking about how to do something nice for her.”
Even though Mercer’s dream is coming true, she knows it will be hard leaving her 18-year-old sister and her Creighton family.
“I have made a family for myself here out of friends, professors and faculty. I have never been this close to family. The thought of leaving my family and my sister is scary and very hard. But I keep reminding myself that family is forever and they are not going anywhere.”
Mercer said she is a little intimidated just thinking about the students that she will soon be studying with, and she is nervous about getting used to the culture. But this has not stopped her from reading as many books as she can get her hands on about England. What she is most looking forward to is being somewhere with so much history and knowledge.
“The books, the buildings, the accents and the opportunity to marry Prince Harry. I am looking forward to all the important things,” Mercer said.
Mercer now knows through her own experience that hard work and passion can get you anywhere.
“I have worked so hard for so many years. I honestly believe that if you work hard enough, you can get it. My friends always told me that the American dream doesn’t exist, but this scholarship just reinforces that it does.”
Wunsch said Mercer is more than deserving of the scholarship.
“She has given as much to me, just as she has for others. She is a warm, gentle, generous and wise-beyond-her-years person. I am deeply touched to know that I have been important to her. Indeed, she is like a fourth daughter to me,” Wunsch said.
Keegan said she hopes that Mercer’s win will encourage other students to apply for scholarships and fellowships.
“There are other terrific students out there, and if they made the effort and looked into these, they could have the same success. Creighton students are winners and can win these. You don’t win unless you try,” Keegan said.
For more information on scholarships and fellowships, go to www.creighton.edu/soar.