Five Winona Area Learning Center Grads named MSC Southeast Papenfuss Scholars
College and high school staff surprise students at home with the good news -- 2 years of college, all expenses paid
PHOTOS:
Above: Winona ALC staff and MSCS Admissions Representative surprised Zachary Weilandt (third from left) with the news that he had been awarded a Papenfuss Scholarship.
Right: Faith Borzyskowski was surprised with a swag bag full of goodies from the college.
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On June 23 and 24, Minnesota State College Southeast and Winona Area Learning Center staff members surprised five recent high school grads in person with balloons, swag bags and great news! Each was notified that they had been selected as a Papenfuss Scholar.
The Papenfuss Scholars Program (PSP) will meet the all of the college expenses for these Winona ALC graduates at MSC Southeast for up to two years. This program is made possible by a generous gift from the Jerry & Patricia Papenfuss Family Fund of the Winona Community Foundation.
"Originally, we planned to send out a letter, but then we thought it would be more fun to go see the students in person," said Emily Cassellius, principal of Winona Area Learning Center. "We contacted a family member in advance so that we knew they would be at home but we could still surprise them. It was a great celebration!"
The students and their planned majors are:
- Faith Borzyskowski, Associate of Science in Nursing
- Devin Foster, Software and Web Development
- Ethen Infield, Construction Technology
- Ike Scholl, Computer Engineering Technology
- Zach Weilandt, Electronics Technology
"It was wonderful to be a part of this exciting day," said Chris Cook, MSC Southeast Admissions Representative. "It was a great show of support for these amazing students!"
Funds will be awarded as "last-dollar" scholarships, meaning that after federal and state grants and any other scholarships are applied, the program will cover the remainder of their tuition and fees. Several of the students noted that without this support, it would have been impossible for them to attend college.
"Not only will tuition, books, and fees be covered, but each student will receive a modest stipend to help with living expenses," said Josiah Litant, MSC Southeast Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students.
The students will also have the advantage of working with a dedicated Student Success Advisor, Shannon Sullivan. Shannon previously worked at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and was a Retention Advisor, Financial Aid Assistant, and an Admissions Assistant at MSC Southeast for seven years.
"We are excited about having a special person at the college to provide ongoing support and who will be a point person so we can stay in touch with our graduates going forward," said Emily Cassellius. "And we are all so grateful to the Papenfuss Family Fund for their generosity in making this opportunity possible."
"We look forward to welcoming these students into the MSCS community and being part of their ongoing journey; MSC Southeast is proud to be their educational institution of choice," commented Josiah Litant. "We are eager to continue building our relationship with the Winona Area Learning Center and their graduates through this visionary partnership."