WILLISTON, N.D. - Madison Green graduated from Trenton High School last spring and decided with her guidance counselor that Williston State College (WSC) would be her best decision to obtain her generals free-of-charge since she would qualify for the Williams County Graduate (WCG) Scholarship.
Any graduate from any Williams County high school is eligible to apply regardless of their year of graduation. Starting Fall 2015, Green and 343 other recipients were awarded free tuition, books, and fees for two years at WSC, as of census day, September 22. Each of these students was awarded an average of $2,817.69 for tuition and fees and $638 for books.
"This scholarship has given me the option to attend WSC without paying tuition, which has made it a lot easier for me to pay for my living expenses now that I live in Williston," Green explained. "It helps that I won't have to pay off so many loans in the future, and I can get the career I want."
Hoping to one day to be a personal trainer, Green intends on transferring after her second year at WSC to another school emphasizing exercise science.
"The Williams County Scholarship is a huge gift and I am very thankful for that," Green stated.
Foundation board members are overwhelmed with the positive feedback their contributions with this scholarship have provided the area.
Pete Furuseth, WSC Foundation Board president, has received an array of positive feedback. Comments like, "It seems too good to be true," and, "I feel like this is a gift that just fell from the sky," help board members feel gratified for giving back to the community.
"Our donors contribute to the Foundation with hopes that their gifts will make a big impact for our college and the students," Furuseth explained. "Thanks to the support and the partnership with the Alva J. Field Trust and the North Dakota Challenge Fund, we are making an impact that is truly beyond anyone's imagination." Through their partnership, $1,229,119 total awards have been disbursed for the Fall 2015 semester.
The WCG Scholarship will continue as long as revenue and earnings continue. Now, thanks to the North Dakota Challenge Fund, personal contributions will go even further. Dr. Raymond Nadolny, President of Williston State College asks anyone thinking of a charitable gift this season to consider this unique opportunity: "For every two dollars donated, the North Dakota Challenge Fund will contribute one dollar." For anyone interested in contributing to the WCG Scholarship please contact the Williston State College Foundation at 701.572.9275.
For more information about the Williams County Graduate Scholarship please contact
WSC at 701.774.4220
For any information regarding WSC, please visit www.willistonstate.edu,
call 1.888.863.9455, or stop by 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND.