The Cari Farver Memorial Scholarship was established to keep Cari's memory and her legacy of kindness alive by supporting students attending Iowa Western Community College in pursuit of a career in information technology.
The scholarship has been awarded to one student each year since 2020.
The yearly award for the scholarship is $1000 $2000. Your support can help us continue to increase it!
Any student, traditional or not, enrolled to take IT courses at IWCC is eligible. IWCC manages the selection process.
In 2020, Skylar Kingery became the first ever recipient of the Cari Farver Memorial Scholarship. Skylar graduated from Iowa Western Community College in 2021 with a degree in Networking and Systems Administration. She is already putting her technology skills to work and was kind enough to share her answers to the following questions.
Q: Please tell us about yourself.
After high school, I wasn't certain what I wanted to do for a career. Instead of getting into debt for a degree that wouldn't apply to my future field, I decided to work different jobs that interested me. It was through one of these jobs, at a record store, that I was able to get my first exposure to coding.
I managed their online store and pushed out basic code, which I found extremely interesting. I held onto that interest in the years after and learned basic Python in my spare time. My husband finally convinced me to go school and get a degree in tech so I would be better suited for the job market.
Q: What subjects did you study at IWCC?
I just graduated with a degree in Networking and Systems Administration! I hope to go back in the coming years and get a computer science degree once the world calms down.
Q: What interests you about computers and information technology?
I find technology absolutely magical. It sounds silly, but before learning about computers, it really seemed like it was. When code executes without issues and does exactly what you wanted it to do, it's incredibly cool. I like knowing how things are working and how they're connected.
Q: How would you like to change the world?
I would like to be able to create something that helps in leveling the ability to gain knowledge that socio-economic disadvantages have made as well as update criminal justice systems technologies so they can be utilized with ease.
Q: What advice would you give to young students with a passion for tech?
My advice would be to go for it. If you don't understand something, Google it. There's a plethora of knowledge out there at your finger-tips and the topic was likely covered on YouTube or by one of the many tech forums. The tech community is one of the nicest and most helpful communities that I've encountered. Someone will point you in the right direction.
Congratulations, Skylar, and good luck!
Our original goal was to make the Cari Farver Memorial Scholarship a permanent fixture at Iowa Western Community College. Because of your generous donations, a student will be helped in Cari's name, every year — forever. Thank you for your support!
May 2019: Fund established with the Community Foundation for Western Iowa.
May 2021: $25,000 initial goal reached to support a $1000 yearly award in perpetuity.
May 2024: Thanks to your support we reached our goal of doubling the award to $2000.
New Goal: $100,000 to double the award again and ensure the long-term stability of the fund.
Cari Farver was a vibrant, talented, and caring person. Her friends and family remember her courageous spirit and love of life fondly. Although Cari's life ended abruptly, her indomitable spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of those who knew her best.
And now, Cari's passion for helping others is celebrated in the form of a scholarship fund at the Community Foundation for Western Iowa. Each year, the scholarship will benefit an information technology student studying at Iowa Western Community College.
To pay by E-Check, Wire Transfer, or to make other arrangements please contact the Community Foundation for Western Iowa.
Call 712.256.7007 or visit www.givewesterniowa.org for more information.
Pay online by credit card.
It's fast, easy, and secure.
Make checks payable to the:
Community Foundation for Western Iowa
Remember to specify on the memo line:
Cari Farver Memorial Scholarship Fund
Mailing address:
Community Foundation for Western Iowa
536 E. Broadway
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa is a 501(c)(3) federal non-profit organization. All donations given to CFWI can be tax deductible, as allowed by law.
The Endow Iowa Tax Credit program makes donors in the State of Iowa who give to a qualified fund eligible to receive a 25% tax credit in addition to federal charitable income tax deductions. Contact CFWI for details.