The power of scholarships, as told by a recipient | University of Miami Development and Alumni Relations – University of Miami News
“My name is Tucker Kinney, and I am a sophomore at the University of Miami. I am from a small town called Sag Harbor, on Long Island, New York.
My dad is a pastor, so I grew up in a parsonage across the street from a church with my five siblings—Zeb, Kai, Kobe, Quinntin, and Campbelle.
My family is big so I always knew that scholarships and financial aid would play a big role in my college decision.
I knew I wanted to go to college, but I never had a dream school in mind. My girlfriend, on the other hand, always had a dream school, and it was always the University of Miami.
She encouraged me to take a look, and I was really impressed with what I found—from the business program to the academics, the sports, the size, and the culture all stood out to me. School pride is a big thing for me and the University of Miami checked all my boxes.
I knew it was an expensive school, but I applied anyway.
When I was accepted with a scholarship, I realized this could work.
My family and I visited around my birthday, a week before we had to make the decision.
I toured the campus and could see myself there. My little brother even said, “Tucker, you have to go here so that I can have a better chance of getting in.”
That was it for me.
Now, the campus feels like home. I’m studying finance—partly because it’s a stable career and partly because I think I could be good at it.
When I walk around, I’m always saying hi to people I know. My girlfriend—the same one who encouraged me to apply—will ask me, “How do you know all these people?”
I belong to a lot of organizations, which helps.
I’m in a business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. I’m a part of The Association of Latino Professionals For America. I’m also in the Baptist collegiate ministry. I play on the intramural soccer team. I film at the UMTV studio every Friday.
I’ve been really blessed to be a part of strong communities that have helped to shape and lift me.
That’s why the Canes Community scholarship has been huge for me. I’m so thankful and humbled to know that my community is behind me and investing in my potential, even if they don’t know me personally or how much it means to me and my family.
My life has been shaped by community, so it’s always on my mind, and it inspires me to become the best I can be.
I’m just so grateful to have the opportunity to attend the University of Miami. Without help, I wouldn’t be here, regardless of how badly I wanted it.
This support also means that I don’t have to work during the school year, which allows me to join these groups I’m so proud to be a part of and to give my all to my classes.
My biggest dream is to create a legacy of helping others, to become someone who is dependable and reliable, someone who can provide for not only myself, but also for those who need help.
And I hope to show people what’s possible if they believe in what they can achieve.”
Canes Communities across the country, led by local volunteers and supported by the alumni association, have awarded 44 scholarships to students in 15 cities in the past year alone. The number of students helped grows each year, with dozens of scholarships awarded since the Canes Communities Scholarship Program’s inception in 2018.
To support the dreams of students like Tucker Kinney, make a gift to your Canes Community scholarship fund today.
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