Lincoln, Neb. - Oct. 13, 2008 - Two $1,000 scholarships are helping two Fillmore County students attend the University of Nebraska this year.

Richard and Louisa Manning of Geneva created the scholarships last year for graduates of Exeter/Milligan and Fillmore Central high schools to attend one of the University of Nebraska campuses. The scholarship, a minimum of $1,000 each academic year, is for students to pursue any major. Preference is given to students focusing on mathematics, biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, geography, meteorology and climatology, or physics, and recipients are selected by a University of Nebraska scholarship committee.

Trevor Odvody, a graduate of Exeter/Milligan High School, is a freshman at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He said earning the award has made his first semester of college easier.

"I'd like to thank the Mannings for the scholarship," he said. "It has made college a lot easier. It's nice to know that I have hope and that I'm not constantly worried about how much money I have in my account."

Odvody is majoring in pre-med. "So I can use all the help I can get," he said.

Matthew Miller, a graduate of Fillmore Central High School, also received the scholarship. He is a freshman studying theater at UNL.

"It was a pleasant surprise to receive this scholarship," he said. "I am beginning to discover how expensive it is to attend college and many of the expenses beyond tuition, room and board are burning a hole in my pocket. This scholarship gives me an extra cushion for my expenses and gives me a chance to spend time enjoying my college experience."

The University of Nebraska Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation that has raised private gifts to support the University of Nebraska for 72 years. Last year, almost $90 million was provided for students, faculty, academic programs, research, and for campus and building improvements on all four campuses.