2004-2005 Recipient Updates

(1, 2, 3, 4, Kyle Rohlfs, Katrina Enderle, 6)

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2004 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

By Kyle Rohlfs

The Real College Life

Let me be the first to give you a Gustie Greeting. Even though a written greeting is not the same as the verbal ones I received when I arrived at Gustavus Adolphus College this fall, I’ll do my best to let you in on some of the activities that go on here in St. Peter, MN. Even though Gustavus is a small college in size, it is huge in school spirit and the Gustie lifestyle we experience while up on the “Hill.” My experience in the first semester at Gustavus has been life changing and eye opening. I have been exposed to many new things and have met many very interesting people, most of whom I call my friends. These are all parts of the experience that Gustavus has to offer.

Arriving on campus this fall was intense to say the least. At the bottom of the hill heading up to our campus, ‘Gustie Greeters’ waited for us and were screaming like mad. By screaming I mean singing our school song, chanting, “We are the Gusties, We are the Gusties,” and so forth. Freshman arrived four days earlier than the rest of the campus for Orientation week. These days were used to get the freshman comfortable in the new college environment. We participated in group games and had many different activities to help orient us to Gustavus. At first these days kind of seemed like a summer camp we were attending instead of a college campus, but it was all worth it now. Some of my best friends I have today I met during orientation.

Once kids got into the swing of college, things started falling into place for most people. During the first few weeks, most of the freshman walked around campus looking like deer in the headlights since no one can explain the changes you will go through upon entering college. Parents and your friends who are currently in college will try to tell you how to handle the pressures put on you in college and how the changes will be like “nothing you have ever experienced,” but the only real way to find out is to experience college for yourself. No one should be afraid of the next level, whatever that may be. It may seem scary at first, but usually it will fall into place if you let it.

I have finally finished my first semester and J-Term. Few colleges have J-Term, instead having longer Christmas breaks than we have at Gustavus. During January, every student has one class every day of the week. It originated in order to enable upperclassmen to do internships or travel/study abroad, but freshman typically take one class on campus. This is an intense immersion in one topic. I’ve enjoyed it very much to say the least.

After looking back on what I’ve learned, whom I’ve met, and what I’ve accomplished in just a few months, it seems unbelievable. I’ve met and become friends with students from India to Alaska. And, of course there are the friends from Minnesota. Our differences as well as our similarities have made becoming friends interesting and valuable. Coming to college, everyone is looking for something different. For most students at Gustavus, they have found their niche. For myself, the jump to college was relatively easy. Since I moved to Fergus Falls only a few years ago as a sophomore, I learned how to adapt to new situations. I feel very fortunate to have moved to Fergus Falls while in High School. The move prepared me to know that new experiences and new friends are things that I can tackle. Because of my great experiences and friendships in Fergus, moving on to college was actually a lot easier than I could have imagined. At Gustavus, everyone was on a fresh start and most of the time that makes for great friendships.

I am very appreciative of the Dollars for Scholars for their help in the Fergus Falls community and for their award to me to help me pursue my goals. The donations to Dollars for Scholars has been greatly appreciated by all of the collegians that received awards and it has helped many us as we have gone on to college. Thanks again!

Kyle Rohlfs of Fergus Falls is a 2004 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the VFW Post 612 Good Citizen Scholarship. He is a freshman at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. For information on creating a named scholarship, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 4B East Drive, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2004 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

By Katrina Enderle

First and foremost, I would like to thank Dollars for Scholars for the wonderful program that they are running, helping hard-working students achieve their lifelong goals, and for many, including myself, earning a college degree. I am currently attending Concordia College majoring in Biology/Pre-Physical therapy. I am working hard studying, writing and learning in anticipation of earning a famed Concordia College class ring and a diploma.

I absolutely love college. My choice of attending Concordia has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Concordia has great professors who are more than willing to meet with you out of class time, which I have most definitely taken advantage of. I have met some amazing students, who I have developed lifelong friendships with. I have had the opportunity to strengthen my faith with the help of my friends by being constantly surrounded by those who love the Lord.

As one can see, I am completely satisfied and happy with my decision to attend Cobberville. I have wonderful professors, a great roommate, and am part of the amazing Concordia College Orchestra and the talented track team. I really feel like I am fitting in and benefiting from the ample opportunities that I have been given at Concordia. I would like to share with you a few things that I have recently learned about myself while attending Concordia.

Before I became a famous “cobber”, I didn’t really analyze or question things. If a teacher or “smart kid” in the class said it, it must be true. But as I went through my classes, different concepts and ideas were presented in such a fashion that I soon began to question things. I became more interested in reading more than just the “funnies” in the newspaper. Information I learn in my classes, especially biology and chemistry, is not just memorized and forgotten. It is taught, analyzed, understood, memorized, and generally not easily forgotten. Slightly different from the whole “high school scene.”

If you asked me about something that I learned in calculus or physics in high school, I probably couldn’t tell you for the life of me. Note: I am in no way bashing the teachers of FFHS; I am merely showing you how my goals of education completely changed. In high school, I was solely aiming for the grade. “How well can I do on the test?” and “How can I keep my GPA up?” were my main goals in high school. I never really focused on the understanding of information I was taught.

That is not the case at Concordia College. Not only am I worried about how well I can do on the test and how high my GPA is, I am very concerned with how well I understand the material, and how I will retain the information I have worked so hard to achieve. After all, the information and concepts I am learning right now and have already learned will come up several times before I finish my education.

With that being said, I would like to leave you all with a few other things I have learned. Call home often. I have developed such a stronger relationship with my family. Be open to all new ideas. Don’t stay up too late – it really catches up on you. And finally, accept people for who they are. We are all the same in God’s eyes.

Katrina Enderle of Fergus Falls is a 2004 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the Dr. Frank Veden Scholarship. She is a freshman at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. For information on creating a named scholarship, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 4B East Drive, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.