Award Recipient Feedback
As members and contributors, we thought you may enjoy knowing where your donations are going and the impact they have on the award recipients. Included below are all of the notes and comments we have received from those students since the COLEG's first scholarships were awarded in 2001. Some of the notes and letters have been edited for the sake of brevity. Through 2008 your organization has received notes of thanks from 27 of the 75 award recipients or a rate of 36%.
2009 (13 awards totaling $15,350)
"Thank you so much for the generous scholarship! It will be put to good use, as I will start school at UND for nursing this fall. Although it is hard to express such gratitude, thank you again for choosing to support me as I continue my education."
Sincerely,
Savana Peterson
"I'd like to thank you very much for the $1,000 scholarship! I appreciate it so much. It's going to be a huge boost my second year. Going through college is going to be much easier and less stressful thanks to this scholarship. Thanks again for selecting me as a recipient."
Ethan Elfstrom
2008 (12 awards totaling $21,800)
"Thank you for selecting me to receive the $3,000 scholarship. I appreciate it! You guys have done a great job in building this group. The scholarship will go towards paying for college. I will be attending Northland College in East Grand Forks for nursing."
Sincerely,
Brandi Sele
"Thank you for awarding me as a recipient of one of your scholarships. COLEG is a true asset to our community and youth and I thank you for your dedication and efforts."
Zachary Jaszczak
2007 (10 awards totaling $20,550)
"Thank you for helping to provide the scholarship foundation that allowed me to receive the Hunter-Swenson Scholarship. This will be a great help to me during my college."
Paul Johnson
"Thank you very much for the scholarship you awarded me with in the amount of $3,000! I truly appreciate the work you all do to keep the program in operation as it is so good for the students in a small community like ours. Thanks again!"
Chelsi Nelson
"Thank you for selecting me to receive a very generous scholarship. It is greatly appreciated and will really help."
Thank You,
Ben Christopherson
"I would like to thank you for selecting me to receive the Al and Irene Arneson Scholarship in the amount of $1,500. It will provide a great deal of help with my future plans. This scholarship is a great opportunity for Lancaster students who are trying to further their education."
"This fall I will attend the University of Minnesota, Crookston, where I will major in animal science. Thanks you so much for the scholarship."
Kari Olson
2006 (11 awards totaling $17,350)
"Thank you very much for thinking of me when I received a $1,000 scholarship from you. It was very generous and will help me further my education. The money will be VERY helpful. Thanks again for everything."
Chase Homstad
"Thank you for the scholarship you awarded me in honor of Kenneth & Evelyn Berg. This will help me further my education. My future plans are to attend UND and pursue a degree in physical therapy and pre-med."
Allison (Mackay)
"Thank you for the scholarship you gave me. It will really help out with my schooling."
Shane Peterson
"Thank you so much for selecting me for a COLEG scholarship. It will help me in the fall when I attend the University of Minnesota - Crookston to pursue a degree in accounting. Thanks again!"
Whitney Coffield
Thank you so much for the scholarship I received! This scholarship will come in handy my 2nd year of school. This program is wonderful, and I'm so thankful for the scholarship I received!! Thanks again."
Ashley Stewart
2005 (10 awards totaling $14,600)
"Thank you for the Scholarship."
Evan Bernstrom
"Thank you very much for awarding the Al And Irene Arneson Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to me. It will help further my education in Mass Communications at Moorhead State University."
Nick Rapacz
"Thank you so much for the scholarship. It will be put to good use investing in my future. Thank you for your consideration."
Hope Haugstad
"Thank you so much for the Hunter-Swenson Recognition Scholarship in the amount of $1,500! It's greatly appreciated and will be used to further my education in nursing at EGF!"
Always,
Lacey (Swenson)
"I so much appreciate your selecting me to receive the Kenneth and Evelyn Berg Scholarship. It will help out greatly."
Thanks again,
Dixie Dalbey
"I would like to take this time to thank you for the Ruth (Norland) & William Wilebski Scholarship in the amount of $4,500. The award is greatly appreciated. It will be very helpful as I attend UMC to double major in animal industries management and equine industries management. I plan to return to work on the family farm and someday become a certified equine massage therapist. Thanks again!"
Sincerely,
Danika Kent
2004 (12 awards totaling $13,850)
"I would like to thank you for selecting me to receive the Ruth (Norland) and William Wilebski Scholarship. I'm sure it will go a long way in helping me to further my education. My current plans are to attend UND for my biology degree, and then apply to vet school."
Thank you once again,
Shannon L. Strege
"I have already written a thank you to Lowell Swenson for the scholarship I received but I also felt it necessary to thank all of you for your time and dedication to education. I know it has made a difference for quite a few students including me."
Thanks,
John Johnson
"Thank you for presenting me with the $1,000 Becky Christopherson Memorial Scholarship. It is most appreciated. I am excited to attend Bemidji State University this fall."
Jessie Groves
"Thank you so much for awarding me the $1,000 scholarship. It will help me and my family out very much in the future. We appreciate it very much!
Abby (Elfstrom) & Family
"I have received the scholarship that I was awarded. I just wanted to write and say thank you so much for the large amount of money to put towards school. It will help out a great deal this next semester for credits and books. It means a lot, thanks again,
Sincerely,
Abby Elfstrom (after receiving her reimbursement)
(to COLEG Board)
"Thank you for the generous tuition reimbursement award. I'll apply these funds to my loans from my amazing study abroad experience in Oxford, England. I'm graduating from UMC in May with a degree in Information Technology Management. I plan to work at Wiktel."
Thanks,
Richard (Laager)
(to COLEG board of directors & scholarship selection committee)
"Thank you very much for awarding me a scholarship under your tuition reimbursement program. The money will be used toward a degree in Information Technology Management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. I'm honored to be selected as a scholarship recipient. I'll make Lancaster proud.
Sincerely,
Richard Laager
2003 (8 awards totaling $8,100)
"I would like to thank you for the $600 scholarship you granted me. It will definitely help me as I continue to attend college."
Thank you,
Seth Whitlock
"I just wanted to extend my gratitude for the Ruth and William Wilebski scholarship. It will be a great help in paying for college."
Justin Nordin
2002 (7 awards totaling $7,600)
"Thank you so much for the scholarship I was awarded at graduation ceremonies. It will be a welcome assistance to my continuance of my education at UND. Thank you again for your kindness."
Sincerely,
Nicole Engstrom
2001 (5 awards totaling $2,600)
"First, I would like thank you for the $600 scholarship from the American Legion Post 214 and Auxiliary. I am starting my second year at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and it has been going good so far." "Thank you for choosing me - my parents also say "Thanks!" as they are providing financial support.
Gratefully yours,
Sarah Dawn Peterson
"Thank you so much for the scholarship program that you helped organize and sponsor. I feel it is a great honor to be chosen to receive the Leona Nelson Cerkowniak scholarship given by her sister, Lorraine Dunn."
"I look forward to college and will use the scholarship to help fulfil my future dreams and goals at the University of North Dakota. I hope to uphold the same importance of education that Leona did. I thank you all for your help and the importance you portray in furthering the education of Lancaster High School graduates. Thanks again."
Sincerely,
Timothy Peterson