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The Live Like Lou Foundation proudly announces its 2025 Iron Horse Scholarship recipients. Since the foundation’s inception in 2018, 28 students have received the full Iron Horse Scholarship valued at up to $17,040. The scholarship is funded at $2,130 per semester for four years in honor of Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record of 2,130, and for four years in honor of his retired Yankees jersey number.
The Iron Horse Scholarship Selection Committee, led by Live Like Lou board vice chair Greyson Geiler, reviewed applications from a competitive pool of more than 100 applicants throughout the United States and Canada and began the selection process in March.
Four individuals were selected to receive the full Iron Horse Scholarship of $17,040 and 38 received one-time Onward Awards ranging from $444-2,000 each.
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Evan will be attending Indiana University, where he will study finance. His father, Jeff, was diagnosed with ALS in 2017 and passed away in August 2022.
Along with being a student, Evan is an elite climbing athlete who is ranked #10 on the U.S. Men’s National Team and is working hard to compete for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team. After receiving his Bachelor’s in finance, he plans to pursue an MBA at Northwestern University to eventually assist people in navigating complex financial situations, as his family did with ALS.
“My parents did everything right. They planned. They sacrificed. And still, a disease like ALS broke in like a thief and destroyed everything they’d built, Evan shared.” “That’s when I started asking different questions about insurance, investments, and security. That’s what pulled me toward studying finance. I want to help families build structures that hold up under pressure. I want to be the advisor who makes it easier for people to weather life’s hardest seasons. I want to carry my dad’s legacy—not just in how I live, but in how I help others live, too."
Maria is studying developmental psychology and Spanish studies in the route of occupational therapy at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Her dad, Christopher, was diagnosed with ALS in 2024.
Through her dad’s diagnosis, she has seen firsthand how occupational therapists support people’s functionality. With the challenges that come with ALS, she has been able to assist her father, and this has helped her to gain respect in the industry. Rather than the obstacles discouraging her, she was inspired to further her education in occupational therapy.
Not only is Maria a caregiver for her father, but she also suffers from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). She shares, It takes courage to maintain your well-being and health while also being a source of support for someone.”
“I want to become a healthcare provider who listens, adapts, and truly sees each patient’s needs when creating their care plan. My experience with ALS has shown me the immense value of empathy, innovation, and resilience, and instilled a dedication to a healthcare career in helping others. I’m committed to bringing those values to my journey toward becoming an occupational therapist.”
Peyton is pursuing a degree in finance at the University of Calgary, where she will also play on the golf team. Her dad, Jason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2022 and passed away in September 2023, inspired and encouraged her passion for golf.
With her degree, she aspires to work in the business world and give back to organizations that supported her family, such as the ALS Society and Shriners Hospital.
“ALS taught me that even in life’s darkest moments, gratitude can be a guiding light—illuminating beauty in pain, love in loss, and strength in heartbreak’s shadow. While ALS brings heartbreak, I’ve learned to see light at the end of the tunnel. My father focused on gratitude, and my mom clung to Lou’s words for hope, even knowing there was no cure. That perspective helped me cherish every moment with him and fueled emotional, academic, and personal growth,” Peyton shared.
Rishi will study biomedical engineering in the fall at Georgia Tech, hoping to attend medical school afterwards. Rishi’s mother, Harilakshmi, was diagnosed with ALS in 2022.
Rishi found a passion for the medical field after his family faced a severe car crash in 2019. He wants to help make others’ lives better, similarly to those who saved his and his family’s lives after the car crash and those who support his mother.
“As someone who is firsthand living through the devastating impact of ALS, I have a deep desire to solve this horrible disease,” he shared. “One area I am particularly interested in is neurodegenerative diseases and the potential of neuroengineering as a cure or treatment. I plan to continue my research on and advocacy for ALS to put an end to this tragic disease. I hope that someday, my work can save people like my mom.”
Live Like Lou’s founder, Neil Alexander, saw the word "onward" as a symbol of strength and determination in the face of ALS. It represents the commitment to keep moving forward each day while believing in a future without the disease. Today, "onward" remains a powerful message shared by the Live Like Lou community and its volunteers in support of ALS families. In recognition of the outstanding accomplishments of our 2025 Iron Horse Scholarship finalists, Live Like Lou was pleased to fund additional one-time Onward Awards to the following students in ALS families:
Abby Weatherford
Abby’s mom, Diana, was diagnosed in 2022.
Ada Young | Western Kentucky University | Exercise Science
Ada’s mother, Heather, was diagnosed in 2023.
Ann Nutt | University of Mississippi | Pre-Pharmacy
Ann’s dad, John, was diagnosed in 2017.
Annaliza McCann | Saint Johns High School
Annaliza’s dad, William, was diagnosed in 2016 and passed away in 2020.
Brenda McCann | St. Johns High School
Brenda’s dad, William, was diagnosed in 2016 and passed away in March 2020.
Cailyn Cajuste | Simon Youth Academy
Cailyn’s dad, Jack, was diagnosed in 2022 and passed away in June 2023.
Cara Landsberg | Fluvanna County High School
Cara’s dad, Scotty, was diagnosed in 2023.
Carley Dailey | James Madison University | Pre-Med Biology
Carley’s dad, William, was diagnosed in 2022.
Claire Legarde | University of Virginia School of Law
Claire’s mom, Karen, was diagnosed with ALS in 2023.
Cooper Wiger | Skyview High School
Cooper’s dad, Ronald, was diagnosed in 2020.
Emme Weis | Villa Duchesne
Emme’s dad, Matthew, was diagnosed in 2020.
Gracie O'Callaghan | Gannon University | Occupational Therapy
Gracie’s dad, Peter O'Callaghan, was diagnosed in 2022.
Grace Madelon | University of Hawaii at Manoa | Marine Biology
Grace’s dad, Jeff Madelon, was diagnosed in 2001 and passed away in 2021.
Grayson Galentine | Cumberland University | Business Administration
Grayson’s dad, Bryan, was diagnosed in 2016 and passed away in October 2020.
Ian Olivier | Augustana University | Biology and Spanish
Ian’s dad, Jerry, was diagnosed in 2019 and passed away in November 2022.
Jack Weisel | Corvallis High School
Jack’s father, Mark, was diagnosed in 2024.
Jacklyne Sandaldjian | ATSU | Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Jacklyne’s dad, Levon, was diagnosed in 2023 and passed away in November 2024.
Jacob Tyler | Vermont State University | Professional Pilot Technology
Jacob’s mom, Rachael Tyler, was diagnosed with ALS in 2023.
Jason Gibson | Milligan University | Math Education
Jason’s mom, Susan “Betsy,” was diagnosed and passed away in 2024.
Jonathan Liu | University of Virginia | Pre-med track (Biology, Statistics & Philosophy)
Jonathan’s mother, Mabel, was diagnosed in 2019.
Jordan Peterson | Oral Roberts University | Sports Management
Jordan’s uncle, Scott, was diagnosed in 2019 and passed away in December 2024.
Kaitlyn Robison | University of Mississippi Medical Center | Nursing
Kaitlyn’s dad, Matthew Kenneth Moss, was diagnosed in 2024.
Kara Garber | Sinclair Community College | Nursing
Kara’s spouse, Matthew, was diagnosed in 2023.
Kennedy Fox | Colorado Mesa University | Exercise Science
Kennedy’s dad, Cory Fox, was diagnosed in 2020 and passed away in September 2024.
Kerri Berkey | Michigan State University | Accounting
Kerri’s dad, Christopher, was diagnosed in 2021.
Kshiraj Talati | UNC Chapel Hill | Neuroscience
Kshiraj’s dad, Vipul, was diagnosed in 2023.
Kyle Kress | University of Mount Union | National Security and Intelligence Analysis
Kyle’s dad, Paul Kress, was diagnosed in 2022 and passed away in 2024.
Liz Jameen | Political Science and English in Pre-Law track
Liz’s dad, Joseph, was diagnosed in 2014 and passed away in 2020.
Loghan Smith | Westwood High School
Loghan’s dad, Jason, was diagnosed in 2014.
Lucas Anderson | Johnston Senior High School
Lucas’ grandfather, Peter, was diagnosed in 2019 and passed away in February 2024.
Lucas Moore | Stephen F. Austin State University | Aviation Sciences
Lucas' mother, Mara, was diagnosed in 2024.
Madeline Hadley | R.L. Paschal High School
Madeline’s dad, Collin, was diagnosed in 2014 and passed away in November 2022.
Omena Anyanwu | Indiana University Bloomington | Biology
Omena’s dad, Cukwuma, was diagnosed in 2012 and is still living with ALS.
Ryan Loughran | University of Pennsylvania | Political Science and Economics
Ryan’s dad, Sean, was diagnosed in 2024.
Shannon Heaning | Loyola University Maryland | Sociology and Theology
Shannon’s mother, Veronica, was diagnosed in 2022 and passed away in March 2023.
Sofia Merino | UCLA | International Development Studies
Sofia’s mother, Rosalia, was diagnosed in 2024.
William Lemmon | Saint Vincent College | Health, Physical, and Special Education
William’s dad, David, was diagnosed in 2017.
Zoe Champion
Zoe’s dad, Robert, was diagnosed in 2021. She is his full-time caregiver and will attend graduate school.
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