Austin Community Scholarship Committee awards $72,500 for 2025-26 – Austin Daily Herald

The Austin Community Scholarship Committee recently announced that scholarships totaling $72,500 have been awarded to 30 local students for the academic year starting this fall 2025.

The students to whom awards were made and their indicated college of choice includes:

Afi Jael Adjowul, University of St Thomas; Gadisa Birhanu, Minnesota State Mankato; Garret Clark, Iowa State University; Andrew Clausman, North Central University; Jackson Clausman, University Northern Iowa; Josie Decoux, St. Cloud State University; Ava Denzer, University Northern Iowa; Alyssa Deveza, Riverland Community College; Caitlin Drees, Benedictine College, KS;  Emma Dudycha, University of Minn Crookston; Rachel Engelstad, Winona State University; Joseph Garry, University Wisconsin Eau Claire; Esrom Ghebrai, Minnesota State Mankato; Mia King, Winona State University; Blake Klingfus, Iowa State University; Seanna Kubas, St. Catherine University; Jack Lang, Minnesota State Mankato; Tammara Lawhead, St. Olaf College; Olivia Leeman, University of Minnesota Duluth; Kyle  Mayer, University of Minn-Mpls; Gabriella Nack, University Minnesota Mpls; Thyna Nguyen, Minnesota State Mankato; Adaline Parks, Bethel University; Jennifer Ramirez-Garcia, Winona State University; Mi Reh, Minnesota State Mankato; Nye Reh, Minnesota State Mankato; Andrew  Sayles, University of Wisc.-LaCrosse; Cassidy Shute, Valley City State University; Avery Wempner, University North Dakota; Everett Wynn, St. Cloud State University.

With these announced awards, over $1,509,000 has been given to over 1,064 students since the first awards were made in 1962.

Sources of funds for the awards include former scholarship recipients, generous contributions from individuals, memorial gifts and estate bequests. Contributions also have come from local businesses and organizations and The Hormel Foundation.

The scholarship program is carried on without significant expense, most administration and professional services being donated.

Scholarships are available to students entering their junior or senior year of college and who are candidates for a degree at an accredited college in the United States. Recipients may pursue any curriculum leading to a degree. Students may apply for two annual awards.

Applications are available in May and must be made each year. Applicants or their parents must be residents of Mower County, London Township in Freeborn County, or Union or Otranto Townships in Mitchell County, Iowa.

To learn more about the scholarship program application and requirements, send an email to austincommunityscholarship@gmail.com or contact Alice Holst, at 1-507-438-6035.

Committee members include Sharon Alms, Kathy Green, Alice Holst. Craig Johnson, Erin McClimon, Tony Roehl, Chad Sayles, Eric Vaughn.