And that impact can be great. “Many of these students would not be here at college if they hadn’t received scholarships,” said Luanne Kane, ARCC Dean of Educational Services and Past Executive Director of the ARCC Coon Rapids Campus Foundation. “Our donors are helping to change lives.” At each event, scholarship recipients were allowed to say a few words of thanks. Many told inspiring stories. Victor Ajagbusi, an ARCC nursing student and recipient of a Non-traditional Student Scholarship, said that as a full-time student, a full-time husband and father of three, and a part-time health care worker, he is stretched in many directions. “Without this scholarship, I wouldn’t be able to manage,” Ajagbusi said. Other students explained that receiving a scholarship felt like they had earned an extra vote of confidence. William Haley, an ARCC student and Veterans Scholarship recipient, said winning a scholarship was like having someone say your goals are worthwhile and achievable. “That’s such a gift,” Haley said. Donors attending the celebration luncheons included representatives from the following organizations: Anoka County Voitures 390, 40 et 8 The Cabane Coon Rapids Lions Club Coon Rapids VFW #9625 First National Bank of Elk River First National Financial Services Marshall and Ilsley Bank Mercy Hospital Auxiliary North Suburban Women’s Club Northeast Bank Philolectian Club Preferred Bank Ramsey Lions Club US Bank - Andover Unity Hospital Auxiliary Individual donors attending included: Gary Alberts Mary Beltman Lois Bjerke Neil Christenson Steven Fox Terese Fox Barb Goranson Christine Hanson Elton Heath Kathy Heath Ron Hunter Elsie Johnson Mindy Kveton Delores Lehn Tom Lehn Darby Nelson Norma Paulson JoAnne Prusinski Natalie Haas Steffen Scott Zitelman William Zitelman For more information on the ARCC Coon Rapids Campus Foundation, contact Executive Director Evelyn Gedde at 763-712-4479. |