FirstBank Underwrites Inaugural CCU Leadership Award; Anna Sconyers Named First Recipient

Posted on May 13, 2025

FirstBank Underwrites Inaugural CCU Leadership Award; Anna Sconyers Named First Recipient

LAKEWOOD, CO - Colorado Christian University (CCU) is honored to partner with FirstBank, one of the nation's largest privately held and top-performing banks with a focus on "banking for good," whose generous gift of $25,000 has underwritten the cash prize for the inaugural CCU Leadership Award.

The CCU Leadership Award is a prestigious annual honor recognizing one outstanding junior or senior in the College of Undergraduate Studies who exemplifies the University's core values of Christian leadership, character, and service.

Backed by a $1 million-plus endowment established by former CCU trustee Hal Krause and additional donors, this gift guarantees that CCU's most exemplary student leader will receive a $25,000 cash award in perpetuity.

The award was presented to graduating senior Anna Sconyers during the College of Undergraduate Studies Commencement ceremony, where the University community gathered to celebrate its 2025 graduates. Graduating with a double major in Biblical Studies and Business Administration, Sconyers personifies CCU's commitment to academic excellence, servant leadership, and Christ-centered community.

As student director of CCU's Women's Ministry, Sconyers led a team that served over 900 women each semester and organized a record‐setting conference attended by more than 1,000 participants. She founded "Just Anna" - a handcrafted clay jewelry business. Each month, the organization donates a portion of their proceeds to meet tangible community needs, reflecting a commitment to service and stewardship.

"Colorado Christian University exists to develop Christ-centered leaders who desire excellence in every facet of their lives," shared President Eric Hogue. "Anna Sconyers is the embodiment of our leadership DNA - her humility, integrity, and servant leadership exemplify the way we pursue academic excellence and spiritual formation."

FirstBank's support in underwriting this inaugural award reflects its dedication to educational support through scholarships and athletic sponsorships. The University is deeply grateful for FirstBank's support.

About Colorado Christian University
CCU is a leading Christ-centered institution in the Rocky Mountain region, committed to academic rigor, spiritual formation, and community impact. Through initiatives like the CCU Leadership Award, the university prepares world-changers for Christ who will lead with integrity, humility, and compassion. For more information, visit ccu.edu.

About FirstBank Colorado
FirstBank began providing banking services in 1963. Today, it's known as an industry leader in digital banking. It has grown to be one of the top-performing and largest privately held banks in the United States. FirstBank offers a variety of consumer deposit accounts, home equity loans, mortgages, rental property loans, and a full range of commercial banking services, including business financing, commercial real estate loans, treasury management, and more. Since 2000, FirstBank has been recognized as a top corporate philanthropist, contributing more than $90 million and thousands of volunteer hours to charitable organizations. The company is also unique in that a large portion of its stock is owned by management and employees, giving employees a financial stake in the bank's success through its Employee Stock Ownership Program. For more information, visit efirstbank.com. Member FDIC.

[BA1]Hyperlink: https://www.ccu.edu/giving/leadership-award/