About Us

Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars was established in 1991 with encouragement and contributions from several alumni and area businesses. The first scholarships were awarded in 1992 and awards have continued each year since that time.

The first by-laws of the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars were signed by James Nitchals, Cora Sue (Tudy) Nycklemoe, John Erickson, Peg Kalar, Janet Kilde and Tim Johnson. They were members of the initial board of trustees that envisioned raising $544,000 to establish a foundation to fund scholarships for Fergus Falls students.

As of July 2003, 250 scholarships totaling $161,000 have been awarded to area high school seniors. Graduates from the Class of 2003 received 27 scholarships worth more than $13,000. Our foundation assets have exceeded $280,000, and we continue to climb ever closer to the goal of $544,00 to perpetually fund scholarships.

Recent generous donations mean the creation of two new Heritage Level Scholarships for 2004. The Noon Rotary Club established the Mark Olson Rotary Scholarship. Mark Olson’s success and this named scholarship should inspire Fergus Falls youth to believe that someone from Fergus Falls can indeed make a difference in this world.
Lillian Bechtel’s generosity will establish the other new scholarship. This former teacher cared deeply about her students and the youth of Fergus Falls. A generous bequest from her estate will benefit students from this community for decades to come. She touched so many during her lifetime, and now her influence will continue through her scholarship, which will be awarded annually.

Aside from donations establishing scholarships, Dollars for Scholars continues to grow through the generosity of community businesses, individuals and organizations that have contributed through Leader, Sponsor or 544 Club pledges, Buck-A-Bucket sponsorship, memorial donations to remember a loved one or to honor a friend, or donations to celebrate a milestone such as the Northern Contours donation. We appreciate the support of our fundraisers such as the VFW meatball supper and the “Reunion Concert.” Fergus Falls High School students and teachers held a student-faculty basketball game, and the proceeds funded three $400 scholarships.

All contributions made to Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars are invested and returned to community youth through scholarships. The board of trustees is a dedicated group of volunteers who strive to keep administrative costs of the program minimal. We are grateful for every dollar donated and will continue to make contributions grow to benefit the youth of Fergus Falls. It is great to live in a community that supports its youth as they pursue education beyond high school.