Msum Founders Scholarship Gala

A Celebration of Scrambler Spirit

WRITER: MARIE LASKA | SKYLOFT PHOTOGRAPHY

On February 17th 2012 MSUM hosted the 4th annual Founders Scholarship Gala in celebration of the ‘scrambler’ spirit of its founders and students. Hosted in the elegant Comstock Ballroom and bustling with over twenty corporate-sponsored tables, including key sponsor Eide Bailly, the gala embodied a rich blend of community spirit and individual accomplishment, honoring both former alumni and current students. Master of Ceremonies Kerstin Kealy, Channel 6 news host and MSUM alumni, offered the following quote by author Albert Pine: “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal,” which served to sum up the mission of the scholarships.

Since it opened in 1888, the university has been aware of the modest upbringing of many of its students. In 2009 the Founders Scholarship Gala was established to help provide financial assistance through need-based scholarships. Thus far, proceeds from the gala have assisted 16 students with scholarships of $2500.00 apiece while also supporting many other MSUM scholarship opportunities.

Continuing to be inspired by President Edna’s vision of student-focused programming, Friday’s event showcased scholarship recipients like political science major Rohan John who gave a heartwarming speech describing how being a scholarship recipient enabled him to attend a University of Vienna program in European Studies and Diplomacy, furthering his goal of working with the United Nations. Recounting how MSUM instilled in him that “there is a place for idealism and then a time for action,” John, and his fellow recipients, truly encapsulated the MSUM vision and scrambler heritage. [AWM]