2006-2007 Recipient Updates

(Alex Morstad, Matthew Hystead, 2, 3, 4 )

This is the first in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2006 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 Alex Morstad

Just three short months ago I was but a skinny, well kempt guru of conformity and procrastination. It seems college has a way of changing people. I have not become a statistic in the American obesity trend since arriving at Concordia College in Moorhead; however I am doing my part to ensure we remain the most overweight country in the civilized world. I have stopped succumbing to the daily tyranny of my razor, and also begun saving my parents money by avoiding trips to the barber entirely. My situation, however, was anything but unforeseen.

Somewhere along the line I was informed as to what to expect from my college experience. I was told to look forward to the unavoidable freshman fifteen, as well as the consensus that barber shops somehow legitimately spread the plague. I was inevitably going to meet dubious characters who would surely tempt me with proposals of a lecherous and indecent nature. And that’s right, school would finally be challenging. I have discovered that these college stereotypes are factual in every sense of the word and I love it.

For any inquisitive young mind, leaving the academic mediocrity of high school and entering the scholarly world of college is a welcomed change. I thoroughly enjoy every aspect of the search for enlightenment and understanding that college academia offers. Concordia encourages students to think for themselves on the way to becoming informed, engaging people. While the college workload affords little opportunity for a relapse into procrastination, it is most certainly manageable. But all work and no play would make Alex a dull boy, and rest assured, we play equally as hard as we work. Let the good times roll.

When I am not in the library studying, aka trying to impress girls by carrying around large books and a larger scholarly prowess, I am making nay-sayers’ look foolish on the basketball floor. My reign of terror over the Concordia intramural basketball program has begun. Truthfully, our team is not yet the juggernaut we aspire to become; nevertheless we throw the ball around, fashionably wearing sweatbands and poor facial hair.

I may pack on the infamous freshman fifteen (or twenty, thirty tops), I may shun personal hygiene entirely, I may struggle through Spanish 111 (toddler level Spanish), and I may never bring home the coveted holy grail of intramural sports, a 5 on 5 basketball title. But I love every minute of college life, simply living the dream.

I would like to extend the utmost of appreciation and gratitude towards Dollars for Scholars for aiding in sending me off into a colligate institution deserving of praise. Our community’s investment in education is most definitely a rewarding one. Be well, do good things.

Alex Morstad is a 2006 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the Eugene Eckhoff Memorial Scholarship. He is a freshman at Concordia College in Moorhead. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2006 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 Matthew Hystead

I am writing this because I believe a large thank you is in order. I find it necessary for me to thank the Fergus Falls community as well as its local Dollars for Scholars chapter for the preparation and support they have given me in my new collegiate journey. I am nearly finished with my first semester here at MSUM in Moorhead, and I have papers and assignments that I’m scrambling to finish to prove it. In the few months that I have lived here, I have had many pleasant experiences.

To be quite honest, my first semester of classes has not been all that challenging. This is due, in part, to the preparation that was given to me from the FFHS. I’m currently taking a public speaking class, as well as a course in psychology similar to those I took in high school. They are more in-depth being that it is college, but I feel like I am doing better than others because of the fact that these classes were offered to me during my days in Fergus. Some of my classes I will be involved in next semester include sociology, stellar astronomy, and practical reasoning. These are all classes that are necessary in completing both our Dragon Core and my major of Business Administration.

When I’m not in class, you’ll find me working at MSUM’s recreation and outing center in our student union. Working there has given me a great opportunity to meet new people everyday. I get to see and talk to all kinds of people during the day because we offer rental equipment, pool, ping-pong, arcade games, a computer lab, and a TV lounge. I have also gotten involved in our intramural program with some of my co-workers. I entered what we call the pro-league for intramural basketball, and I play two nights a week.

Again, I would like to thank the Dollars for Scholars program and the Fergus Falls community for the financial support and educational preparation. They have benefited me greatly and given me a greater college experience thus far. This help has been much appreciated.

Matthew Hystead is a 2006 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the VFW Post #612 Scholarship. He is a freshman at Minnesota State University, Moorhead. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.