When the camera crews arrived at the Chick-fil-A located off Randall Road on Wednesday, Ryan Fist, an employee, was under the impression that they were there to film a commercial. However, to his surprise, they were actually there to announce that he had won a $25,000 scholarship from the company.
Expressing his shock, Fist gratefully accepted an oversized check presented to him by CEO Andrew Cathy. This scholarship, known as the $25,000 True Inspiration scholarship, is awarded to 14 employees across North America annually. The financial assistance will support Fist in pursuing his education at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, where his goal is to become a physician’s assistant specializing in pediatrics.
Having worked at the fast-food establishment since 2018, Fist shared that the scholarship will alleviate a significant financial burden, allowing him to concentrate on his studies. The emotional moment led to tears of joy from Fist, his brother Kevin, and their mother, Linda Fist.
In addition to Ryan Fist’s scholarship, his brother Kevin, who also works at the same Chick-fil-A branch, was awarded a $2,500 scholarship to aid in his ambition of becoming a teacher. Kevin aspires to pursue a career as a middle or high school teacher and coach, inspired by the male role models he had while growing up.
Reflecting on their humble beginnings, Ryan Fist expressed gratitude towards his mother for her unwavering support, especially as a single parent since he was five years old. Despite facing financial challenges, Fist believes they are fortunate individuals.
Ryan Fist, a 2020 graduate of [ppp1], is set to complete his bachelor’s degree at Lake Forest College this year before commencing his studies at Rosalind Franklin University in May. His passion for working with children to ease their fears in medical settings has been a driving force in his career choice.
As part of the recognition, Ryan Fist also received a new MacBook laptop, creatively packaged in a tin shaped like a larger-than-life Chick-fil-A sauce packet.
JD Willis, the owner and operator of Algonquin’s Chick-fil-A, commended the selection of Ryan Fist as the recipient of the $25,000 True Inspiration scholarship, stating that the company could not have chosen a more deserving individual.
Since 1973, Chick-fil-A has been awarding scholarships to its employees, with a total of over $26 million in scholarships set to be distributed to more than 14,000 employees across America, Canada, and Puerto Rico this year, as per a recent news release.
Reflecting on the origins of the scholarship program, CEO Andrew Cathy shared that it was inspired by his grandfather’s vision to support educational pursuits, stemming from his own lack of opportunities. Cathy emphasized that these scholarships serve as a small yet meaningful contribution to help employees achieve their aspirations.