In a packed room of students, families, faculty, staff and donors, Northwest Technical College awarded $65,750 to 50 NTC students at the Sept. 19 scholarship recognition breakfast in the NTC commons area.

The Bemidji Career Academies Scholarship, established to support Bemidji High School students who graduate from one of its 15 unique career academies and then enroll at NTC, was awarded to five local Bemidji students. It was one of 12 unique scholarships awarded to students representing a wide range of academic programs. The NTC Foundation has raised over $500,000 in support of hundreds of students since 2017.

“The NTC Foundation has been key to a number of initiatives to improve student success,” said Henoc Preciado, interim head of staff for NTC, said. “The Foundation helped renovate the Student Success Center and built Rosie’s Room, an area where students can study and collaborate on projects together.”

Kayla Winkler, chair of the NTC Foundation, continued with additional examples of the work the NTC Foundation has done in recent years in support of NTC students.

“We’ve grown our donor base and continue to work toward a genuine alumni donor base,” she said. “We have held four successful Day of Giving fundraisers supporting the NTC Closet where students can access clothing and other items for themselves, the campus food pantry and created emergency funds to help students navigate unforeseen financial challenges.”

NTC President John Hoffman stressed the impact of scholarship support for NTC students and commended the donors who make those opportunities available.

“For the half of our students who are the first-generation college students, it is changing the trajectories of their families and our communities forever,” he said. “I’m just so thankful.”

Scholarship Recipients

Northwest Technical College Foundation General Scholarship

Tia McMonigal

Sarah Pilbeam

George W. Neilson Foundation Scholarship

Alexia Adkins

Margaret Basweti

Lilee Bock

Beatrice Bundi

Zachary Danelski

Tanner Gundermann

Corey Kuhlman

Cheyann Mathney

Katie Masurka

Joanna Meyer

Damacline Oganga

Samantha Pereria

David Schober

Dissan Ssekisambu

Oliver Stroeing

Carson Swanson

Jaret Swedberg

Mirabel Tamukong

Uran Family Scholarship

Leah Christensen

Tennille Popelka

Fred Breen Scholarship

Tatianna Falk

Keala Hand

Josiah Meade

Claire Nelson

Tricia Port

Ryan Young

Sanford Health Bemidji Scholarship Fund

Alexia Adkins

Lilee Bock

Leah Brouse

Jazmine Dirks

Megan Doubek

Kassidy Ennen

Heather Hopkins

Inez Sigana

Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation Scholarship

David May

Bemidji Career Academy Scholarship Fund

Alexia Adkins

Lilee Bock

Olivia Ethier

Kaine Norton

Emily Thompson

Paul Bunyan Communications Scholarship

Samantha Pereira

Otter Tail Power Company Scholarship

Sarah Rose

Mitch Webb

Mississippi Headwaters Blood Bank Scholarship

Heather Hopkins

Paul Bunyan Vintage Auto

Nathan Keiser

Sandy Johanning Award for Compassion

Megan Doubek

Taylor Graftaas

Erin Shypulksi