Founders Scholarship Gala
Need-based scholarship rewards outstanding students
For 125 years MSUM has impacted the lives of students, making our community, region and world a better place. Helping students succeed and find their passion is part of the university’s mission and is ingrained in MSUM’s heritage. Contributing to the Founders Scholarship is one more way faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university show support for students.
The Founders Scholarship is a competitive $2,500, need-based scholarship awarded to students who embody the values set forth by the founders: success, service and citizenship. Long ago our students were affectionately known as “scramblers,” because they came from modest means, worked hard, and left with a brighter future.
Today, students receiving the Founders Scholarship say it has allowed them to focus on their education, take unpaid internships, participate in school activities and volunteer. For some, it is the difference between being able to attend school full-time and not enrolling.
Makayla Rinkenberger, a freshman studying studio art said, “Having the Founders Scholarship has helped remove the financial distraction from my education. It helped ease the transition into my first semester of college. I was so happy and honored to receive this scholarship. It’s just so encouraging that people really believe in my education and they are investing in it. It inspires me to study harder, pursue a good GPA and continue the work I’ve done throughout high school.”
This year’s Founders Scholarship Gala is Friday, Feb. 14 in the CMU Ballroom. Proceeds from the evening support students receiving the Founders Scholarship and ensure the continuation of this scholarship program.
“The contributions really help those who want to make college possible,” said Eileen Huggins, a senior majoring in social work and criminal justice.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
Julie Eisenlohr, Mass Communications
Morgan Holmgren, Elementary Inclusive Education
Eileen Huggins, Social Work
Annelise Johnson, Business Administration
Martin Lindstrom, Teaching English as a Second Language
Julie Maahs, Social Studies
Jessica McCarlson, English
Jonathan Reich, Studio Art
Makayla Rinkenberger, Studio Art
Joseph Rowan, Film Production
Alison Smith, Photojournalism
Courtney Ulferts, Speech Language Hearing
Alyssa Visby, Elementary Inclusive Education
As MSUM celebrates its 125th anniversary, we’ll take a special look at the history of the university and celebrate 125 years of excellence.
For more information, and to purchase your tickets, visit www.mnstate.edu/foundersgala.
The evening includes an elegant dinner and dessert, silent auction, cash bar by Speak Easy, mystery wine sale, and music by The Front Fenders. We’ll also here from our Founders Scholarship recipients and special guest speaker, Mark J. Lindquist, an MSUM student, actor and public speaker.