One of the first service organizations for women, P.E.O. was founded in 1869 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Tuuguu was selected by the organization’s International Peace Scholarship Fund to receive the award after being nominated by the group’s Maryville chapter.

P.E.O. presents the needs-based scholarship to international students who attend college in the United States, and who intend to return to their home countries following graduation in order to pursue professional careers.

Tuuguu began her studies at Northwest in fall 2007 and received the maximum International Peace Scholarship award of $8,000.

The 25-year-old Tuuguu came to the University after learning about Northwest through her affiliation with the Navigators, an interdenominational ministry that provides college students with opportunities for involvement in study groups, worship and teaching, conferences, summer training programs and mission experiences.

In addition to her MBA studies, Tuuguu, who speaks Mongolian, Russian, English and Korean, works as an office assistant for the Faculty Senate. She already has a job waiting in her native country following graduation and has expressed interest in continued work with the Navigators and a Norwegian organization that provides assistance for single mothers.

Terms of the scholarship state that Tuuguu may use the award for tuition, books, supplies, equipment, fees, maintenance and incidental expenses associated with earning a degree at Northwest. She will receive the money in two payments, one each at the beginning of the fall and spring trimesters.