James was a student at Ridgewater studying Automotive Technology when he passed away in an automobile accident in 2011. His family and friends established an endowment fund in his memory through an annual “Circle of Friends” golf tournament. The scholarship is for...

James was a Ridgewater College counselor on the Hutchinson campus for many years. Jim passed away in a tractor accident shortly after his retirement. The scholarship was established by his family and friends and is for a Hutchinson Campus student.

Jim Leyk was definitely a people person — he was a truck driver and everyone knew him and loved him. When he became afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease at age 58, he lost the ability to remember people and events and he withdrew into himself. He was able to live at...

Jan received her Cosmetology license from Willmar Technical College in 1975; she later became an instructor in the program and also worked for Peterson Brothers Funeral Home as a cosmetologist. Jan loved being with family and friends and enjoyed gardening,...

Joe was an Agriculture instructor at Ridgewater College and farmed near Spicer. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, served on the church council, and played in the Praise Band. He was a member of Ag Sales and Minnesota Corn Growers Association. This scholarship...

John was a former President at the college; this scholarship was established in his honor and is awarded to a student who demonstrates academic excellence.

Jon joined Ridgewater College Veterinary Technology Program as an instructor in 1995 and taught various classes until retirement in 2006. That was Jon’s 30th year as a veterinarian. The students were and still are the reason Jon has desired to fund scholarships for...

The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Auxiliary was formed in 1961. The name was changed to Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Posse and is currently the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Reserve. This is a volunteer group where originally members were required to own horses and...

Given in memory of Kari, who was a graduate of the Ridgewater College In-Home Care program in 1987, and who passed away in 1988. Though handicapped, Kari applied herself to all that she did. She was both an achiever and a giver. This scholarship was established by...

Kelly Berghorst had just graduated from the Medical Assistant program at Ridgewater when she passed away in a car accident in 2011. Remembered for her great smile, laugh and her passion for helping others; Kelly’s classmates and instructors raised funds to establish...

Ken was a long-time Welding instructor at the college, until he passed away from cancer in 1991. This scholarship honors Ken and is awarded to Welding students.

Ken was a 1969 graduate of the Marketing program and served on the Advisory Board for that program for many years; he was honored in 1988 as a Distringuished Alumni. In 1976, Ken opened Ken’s Casuals in Willmar, a men’s wear store, and was active on the Downtown...

Kleespie Tank & Petroleum (now known as WestMor Industries) is a manufacturer of petroleum and liquid handling equipment and services including propane, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen tank trailers. The company operates facilities in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin,...

Kristina, the daughter of Ginger and Tom Baune, passed away in 1985 at age 10 after an extended illness (Late Infantile Metachromatic Lycrodystrophy). Kristina’s dad, Tom, was the department chair for the Auto Body program for many years; this scholarship honors...

Larry was an integral part of the Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing firm for 23 years. He began his career with CDS in 1988, after graduating from the Accounting program at Ridgewater. In 1992 he became a Certified Public Accountant and in 2001 he was admitted as Partner....

This scholarship is funded by donations from Liberal Arts Faculty members on the Willmar campus. Students must be enrolled in the Liberal Arts track, seeking an AA degree, with intent to transfer to a 4-year college or university.

Life-Science Innovations is the umbrella company for a family of innovative affiliated companies which unite agriculture, engineering and the biosciences. LSI has never believed in the status quo for agriculture practices, and for nearly 70 years, has fostered an...

Lyle (Bud) joined the Willmar Police Department in 1953 as a patrolman and later was appointed Juvenile Officer. In 1961, at age 31, he became the Chief of Police for Willmar – and the youngest police chief in the entire state of Minnesota. Bud and a colleague...

This endowment was established by a bequest from Mabel Erickson’s will to the Willmar Technical Institute in 1992. Mabel was a member of United Methodist Church and was active in many women’s groups. She passed away at the age of 95 and was preceded in death by her...

Both Fritz and Betty spent a number of their working years teaching in public schools and believe in the value of education. As both grew up on farms in modest circumstances, they would like to aid students of similar means who come from farms and small towns. They...

Established by Margaret’s daughters to honor their mother who was a registered nurse, the scholarship is for a student pursuing a career in nursing.

This fund was originally established in memory of Marilyn, a long time Willmar resident and RN, by her husband Dr. John Docksey in 2007. When John passed away in 2009, the family renamed and fund to honor both parents. John received his medical degree from Marquette...

Funded by faculty and community donations, each campus offers a scholarship to students enrolled in a Marketing program each year.

Mark Welter is a retired history teacher whose overwhelming purpose now is to teach commonalities, not differences. He says “We are all interdependent. We need world citizens because no one nation can solve world problems, whether they be global warming, terrorism or...

Mary S. Anderson was the daughter of Spencer and Alice (Hosmer) Stearns, and was a founding member of Stearns Foundation. Mary enjoyed music, playing piano, reading, traveling and her PEO sisters. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren...

Matt graduated from Ridgewater in 2001 with a degree in Dairy Management; after graduation, he worked on his parent’s dairy farm, M & J Dairy, in Loveland, CO. Matt passed away in a farm accident in 2005. His family remembers him as a good-hearted optimistic person...

McLeod Cooperative Power is a member-owned cooperative that provides electricity to more than 6,000 residents, businesses and industries in central Minnesota primarily in McLeod, Renville, Sibley and Carver Counties.

The Medical Assistant scholarship is funded by staff, faculty, and community donations and supports students enrolled in the Medical Assistant program.

Meeker Cooperative Light and Power is a member-owned cooperative that provides electricity and other services to 8,700 residential accounts, businesses, and industries in six central Minnesota counties: Meeker, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Renville, Stearns, and Wright....

MITGI manufactures and markets standard and custom carbide cutting tools. Combining innovation with quality and repeatability, MITGI tools has become the product of choice in many R&D departments and manufacturing facilities that serve the medical, automotive,...