Student Thank You Endowment and Scholarships

Dear Mrs. Hansen,

I have been selected by the psychology department this year to receive the Ralph W. Hansen Scholarship for excellence in psychology. I just wanted to let you know how appreciative I am of your contribution to my growth as a student and a leader in my field. I will be enrolling in a neuroscience doctorate program next fall at the University of Illinois in Urbana.

I want you to know that I will remember you as one of the individuals who helped me on my path of achieving my vocation, and I will try to live humbly and well in a way that would make you and everyone else who contributed to my success proud and pleased with their decision.

Once again, thank you so much!

Sincerely,

Benjamin J. Zimmerman '11

Dear Mr. Swanson, 

I am a recipient of the Richard A. & Lorian M. Swanson Family Scholarship fund and would like to personally thank you for all your support. Every dollar you donate is extremely essential. I perhaps know this better than most having just recently run into some financial troubles. Things are back on track now, and I’m still enrolled, but it might not have been the case. 

First and foremost, I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for all my good fortune, but believe me when I tell you your donations certainly made a great deal of difference and that I owe you undying gratitude for your support. 

I also have just been made aware that your father, Richard, is the one mentioned in the scholarship and the man for whom Augie’s beloved Slough Path is named. Having learned of your father’s impact on this campus, I must admit that I am now twice as grateful for it. And perhaps you might appreciate the impact this college environment has had on my faith. I consider myself lucky to have such an environment where my faith is healthy and questioned, for it is through questions that we find conviction and through conviction that we spiritually grow. I am directly involved with Intervarsity on campus, and if you are willing would ask that you pray for leadership and wisdom for me. 

Once again I thank you for your help. 

God Bless,
Tyler Hernandez '14

Dear Roy Carver Family,

My name is Allison Brown, and I am a recipient of the Roy J. Carver Scholarship for the 2010-2011 school year. Your very generous gift to Augustana College has tremendously helped me to further my education at Augie. Without it, I would have never been able to afford to go to college.

I, like many students, come from a typical middle-class home. Though my family was never wealthy, I never had to worry about my basic needs. However, because I am one of three children, I knew the expense of a college education would need to come out of my own pocket so that my family could continue to support themselves. Fortunately, I worked very hard in high school and maintained a solid GPA, which allowed me to receive several scholarships.

Despite my work and my family's best efforts, we are truly indebted to you and all the generous donors who helped to fund my education. Without that help, I couldn't have received an Augie education. So far, I really love it here at Augustana, and I can't imagine there's a place that I'd rather discover what it is I'm truly passionate about. I hope to have as much success in my next three-and-a-half years here as I have so far.

Thanks again for all you have done for me.

Love,
Allison Brown '14

Dear Mrs. Waterman,

I wanted to thank you for providing me with the Larned A. Waterman Memorial Scholarship. Without these funds I would not have been able to attend Augustana. This scholarship has given me the opportunity to attend a truly great school. I really have found a new home at Augustana and have had some of the best experiences of my life at this school. The classes that I have taken I know will take me far in life, and as a senior, I look back and really think about how different my life would have been had I not been granted the means to attend Augie with this scholarship.

I know that the students and teachers I have worked with have changed my life forever, but without your help, these life experiences would never have been set in motion. I will always look back at Augustana and remember that you, Mrs. Waterman, made it possible for me to learn and grow to who I will be for the rest of my life, even in just the short years that I have spent here. Thank you for everything, from my family, and myself. I am so grateful that you were there for me.

Sincerely, 
Scott Cella '11

Dear Dr. Sasmazer,

It is with my deepest gratitude that I thank you for this scholarship. I have been at Augustana for 10 weeks now as a college freshman, and I couldn't imagine studying anywhere else. This school has become my home, my peers have become my family, and my education has become my passion. I plan on pursuing a degree in psychology to become a clinical psychologist. The mind and all its wonders fascinate me beyond words, and I love helping the lives of others so psychology is a great combination. I am solely responsible for financing my college education, and the Roy J. Carver Scholarship lifts some of the monetary burden. I know Mr. Carver lived in Preemption, Illinois, which is only a few miles away from my rural home outside Sherrard! Like Mr. Carver, I also had many jobs to help contribute financially to my education. Hard work, stinginess, foresight and intelligence on my part have brought me to where I am today, and this scholarship helps take me even farther. Thank you and God Bless.

Sincerely,
Alyssa Zwicker '14

Dear Eskritt Family,

My name is Christopher Wadsager. I am 32 years old and FINALLY graduating. I, being a non-traditional student, very much appreciate this award. With the responsibilities of my family of 10 years, which includes my wife and four children, I may not have been able to afford the quality education that Augustana provides. I am planning a career in research and development, at an entry level, that my degree in biochemistry has prepared me for. I am a humble person after living a low-income lifestyle for many years. Someday I wish to be as fortunate as your family has been, and to be in a position to contribute toward other non-traditional students and their education as you have done for me.

Thank you so much.

Sincerely,
Chris Wadsager '11

Dear Mrs. Frost,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to sincerely thank you for making my college experience at Augustana possible through the Kurth-Frost Scholarship.

As a junior, I have learned and grown so much in my three years at Augie, and your generous scholarship made my education possible. In one year, I will be graduating, and I know my Augustana education has equipped me with the materials for a successful future.

I cannot express adequately my appreciation and gratitude. I hope that one day, I will be able to pay it forward and give a future Augie student the gift of an amazing Augie education that you have given me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Heather Soehn '12

Mr. and Mrs. Alberding,

The last four years at Augustana College have been the most enjoyable and influential of my life. I want to thank you for making all of this possible. The Richard and Marilyn Alberding Scholarship has allowed me to accomplish many things. I have earned a bachelor's degree, majoring in business-marketing with a minor in art. These degrees will aid me in my goal of obtaining a career in marketing.

This scholarship has also allowed me to continue my passion for football at Augustana. I played on the varsity football team for four years. This past season I was able to start 10 games at the receiver position, break the school record for most catches in a single season, and go first-team All-Conference.

Lastly, the Richard and Marilyn Alberding Scholarship has allowed me to make friendships that I will retain for the rest of my life. Thank you so much for making all of this possible--you have influenced my life.

Sincerely,
Corbett Ball '11

Dear Dr. Anderson,

I can't begin to thank you for your generous gift of the Bertil Gottfrid and Lorraine Ossian Anderson Scholarship. It is an incredible honor to be recognized for my work and research that I have contributed to the sciences. In the summers of 2009 and 2010, I did research for a 3-D software program that took on many different perspectives of the human anatomy. Due to the success of this research, I am fortunate to have multiple publications before even attending medical school. This fall I will begin a new journey with the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University. I have never been more passionate for a goal than that of striving to become a doctor, specifically a neonatologist or a sub-specialty pediatrician. I want nothing more than to do all I can to help children have the opportunity to discover and achieve their passions, and it begins with having a healthy mind, body and soul, which is the philosophy of osteopathic medicine. Again, I greatly appreciate your scholarship and the support you give to Augustana College. May God bless you.

Sincerely,
Jaynee Krippel '11

Dear Ms. Carpenter,

As I sit here sipping on tea and gathering warmth from the outside snow, I wonder what I say to someone who I've never met yet who has helped me in a selfless way. I was recently informed of having received a Chad Meyer Scholarship. Floored by the care another person was offering, I didn't know what to think and don't find this simple thank-you to suffice. I am a German and communication studies major and am pursuing a career in intercultural communication. I currently teach elementary students in an after-school German program. My senior project surrounds second language acquisition as a current social issue. My future plans include possibly teaching English in German high schools, then attending graduate school for my Ph.D. to teach college-level communication courses. But in thanking you today, I cannot express enough how grateful I am. My education is what I am most thankful for in life. The aid I have been given is more appreciated than I can express.

Many thanks,
Robert Self '11

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Johnson,

My name is Tempris Daniels, and I am a sophomore here at Augie. My major is biology, pre-physical therapy with a minor in psychology. Some of the different activities I am involved in include Chi Omega Gamma sorority, Homecoming Court, CUBOM, Multicultural Programming Board, Black Student Union, Latinos Unidos, Augustana Sports Medicine, Admissions and Club Volleyball. Without your help, I would not shine in these activities. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for the C. Howard Johnson Memorial Scholarship. I truly appreciate everything you have done.

Thanks,
Tempris Daniels '13