TODAY Show Anchor Al Roker Awards Evangel Graduates $25K
Popular NBC weatherman Al Roker presented two Evangel University graduates with a $25,000 check live on The TODAY Show on Thursday morning, June 16, 2016.
Ian and Jendi (Heist) Sansoni received the check as winners of the “Twenty-Five Grand Plan” in front of a large gathering of supportive family and friends.
Both are 2005 Evangel graduates.
NBC reported on Thursday, “Jendi Sansoni and her husband Ian struggled with fertility for five years before they turned to adoption and welcomed their daughter Mylania, who’s now 2, and now plan to adopt her biological baby brother, due this fall. The couple have taken out loans to support their family while living in tight quarters, but their dream is to move into a bigger home with a backyard.”
TODAY and their sponsor, State Farm, presented the “Twenty-Five Grand Plan” contest. According to NBC, viewers were asked to “submit a photo that best illustrates the milestone you’re facing. Please also tell us in a few words how the money could help you plan for that future.”
Ian and Jendi grew up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
As a student at Evangel, Ian was an RA in Scott Hall and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration. He currently serves as deputy director of the Social Services Department, for Prince William County Government in Manassas, Virginia.
Jendi served as an RA in Walther Hall and earned a B.S. in Special Education, with a minor in Elementary Education. She taught for a number of years, and is now a stay-at-home mom and wife.
“They were both just as amazing back (as) they are now—the sweetest, most kind and genuine people you’ve ever met,” said long-time friend Stephanie (Barnes ’06) Wheeler.
