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.