Strong associations

Generosity extends from current to future alumni

From M, spring 2007

As a high school senior, Chantel Ressie applied for college scholarships until the cows came home. Then she went out to milk them. Ressie, a freshman in the Carlson School of Management, credits the work ethic she developed on her family's dairy farm near Lewiston, Minnesota, with helping her land several scholarships.

One of the awards is a University of Minnesota Alumni Association Scholarship. Created for the alumni association's 100th anniversary in 2004, the award is matched by the President's Scholarship--which doubles its impact--and this year is helping seven students across the University.

"The scholarship has helped me greatly by relieving stress that comes with high tuition bills," says Ressie. "My first year at the U has been a really great experience as a result." She expects to focus her studies on human resources, with the hope of putting her degree to work outside the Twin Cities.

"I don't plan to stay in the big city. I'd like to be able to know more people in my community," she says.