2007-2008 Recipient Updates

(Kai Thorstad, Jeffrey Risbrudt, 2 )

This is the first in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2007 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 Kai Thorstad

I really didn’t expect college life to be like this. Sure, most of my friends left town and I still see the same scenery everyday, but I really do like it here at the MSCTC. I have freedom like I wouldn’t have believed just a year ago. A world of opportunities is open before me.

I have always enjoyed almost all different styles of learning, and all of these are open to me (mostly lectures). I can learn anything that I would so choose, and this is one of my favorite parts of college. I can take a class on astronomy, guitar, or ceramics as well as the more usual classes, such as literature, chemistry, or American history. Any of these classes could catch my imagination and lead me onto a unique path in my life. I’ve decided to not yet declare a major, as everybody else that I know who has declared a major has already changed it at least once.

Even so, I don’t care about the future yet. I barely have time to simply enjoy the present. Between classes, work study, my other job, and helping with my church’s youth activities, I haven’t been able to finish any of the three or four books I’ve been working on. The work seems to be taking up most of my time, but whenever I complain about this, people tell me that it only gets worse from here…

Seriously, though, I work just enough to get everything done and actually save for my upcoming trip to Europe. I can hardly wait until this coming May and join the others in the MSCTC Travel Abroad program to tour Europe. We are going to travel to London and Paris after learning some of the history of the areas.

I’m also one of the top twelve members of the concert band here at the MSCTC. We haven’t yet had a performance, but I know that we’ve played music that pushed my skills into new territories. It’s also a quite fun, smaller group atmosphere.

So all in all, it’s been a pretty good start to my collegiate experience. I truly enjoy everything (except homework) and can’t wait for more. My opportunities are infinite. And it seems like it’s all going to get better from here…

Kai Thorstad is a 2007 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the Robert Block Scholarship. He is a freshman at Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Fergus Falls. 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 2007 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 Jeffrey Risbrudt

I am almost finished with my first semester at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, MN. Thank you Fergus Falls Dollars for Scholars for being a part of my first year of college at Itasca by providing me with a scholarship to help me attain my higher educational goals.

I chose Itasca because of a two year Engineering Specialty Program that they offer. When I complete this program I will be able to transfer into a 4 year university as a junior where I will continue to pursue a career in Civil Engineering. At ICC they have a project based learning program where I as a student work in student teams to design and construct real engineering projects in every physics and engineering class that I take. So not only do I hear and study about physics and engineering, I am engaged in activities and projects that help me see why engineers need to have these classes.

I am living on campus on the third floor of the new Wenger Engineering Building. With my dorm room on the top floor, classrooms and labs on the first and second floors, I have no excuse for not getting to class on time. I have enjoyed my teachers and my classes. The classes are small so we get a lot of time to get to know and interact with our teachers both in and outside of the classroom. We work on a number of projects in teams and study in groups. Rather than competing against each other as individuals, ICC instills in us a desire to learn the concept of synergy, where the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. That is something I can apply in all areas of my life.

When I am not in class or doing homework you might find me at the Grand Rapids YMCA working out. I have also worked part time taking stats for the ICC football team and worked at Target during the Christmas rush. Life in the North Woods is a sportsman’s paradise. I enjoyed fishing and hunting a few times this fall. My roommate and I have found a church in the community that we like to attend on Sundays because it is difficult to get home very often. On campus I have taken part in some of the ICC student life activities. Ping Pong tournaments and Frisbee golf tournaments are a few things I have enjoyed.

Thank you Dollars for Scholars and each one of you that contribute to this program which encourages the graduating high school seniors each spring. I especially want to thank Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom for sponsoring my specific scholarship. I may be enjoying my college adventure in Grand Rapids, MN but I will always be proud to say that I am from Fergus Falls.

Jeffrey Risbrudt is a 2007 graduate of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy and was the recipient of the Part Region/Otter Tail Telcom Scholarship. He is a freshman at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, MN. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.