Scholarships Change Lives Two USD Students Tell us How…
Seth Parsons Junior, Pierre, S.D.
Psychology Major
Disaster Mental Health Specialization
Like most high school students, Seth Parsons didn't realize that many scholarships are funded by actual donors – people who want to provide others with educational opportunities. Now that he's a junior, Parsons has come to appreciate the people who give back to the University and have made his educational experience possible. "Thanks to donors, the entire campus is beautiful now with all the new buildings. I have such an appreciation for the people who choose to give to the University as they are the driving force behind academic excellence at The U," says Parsons.
As a high school student, Parsons went through the scholarship interview process at USD and was chosen for a Presidential Alumni Scholarship – one of the University's highest awards. Now Parson's serves on that same scholarship selection committee at USD. "Last year we had 250 apply and the top 60 get interviews. Now I know how competitive it is to receive one of those scholarships and I am amazed and so thankful I was chosen," said Parsons. "There are so many great students that apply and I wish we had scholarships to award to more of them. I just never thought about where the money came from for scholarships. Now I have such a high respect for donors and what they do for students."
"I have worked hard and will continue to work hard to be a deserving recipient of my scholarship. I have an internal obligation to myself to do well in school as well as an external obligation to my scholarship donor and the committee that selected me for the award. I want to prove that I was the right choice for the scholarship."
Choosing a career path was easy for Parsons as he knew he wanted a health-oriented career and something that would help others. When looking through the USD Web site he saw information on the Disaster Mental Health Institute and it caught his attention with its world-class reputation. He plans to use his specialization in that field to assist in national and local disaster response when he achieves his goal of becoming a doctor.
The Disaster Mental Health Institute requires Red Cross training so Parsons will soon be working to earn his certification in disaster training. He is also involved in the Big Pal/Little Pal program at USD, the Dakota Days committee, plays club hockey, and is a member of the Pre-Med Society and Delta Tau Delta fraternity.
Madeline Schrier
Junior, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Anthropology and Mathematics Major
During her high school years in Sioux Falls, Madeline Schrier dreamed of going to college on the east coast. That's where she was born and that's where many of the prestigious universities are located that would attract a student with her outstanding grade point average and high school record. When it came to her senior year, she and her mom and had a serious talk about the financial implications of going to one of those schools.
When it came down to it, Schrier says, "The scholarship I received at USD had everything to do with me coming to The University of South Dakota." Schrier earned a Mickelson Legacy Scholarship, the University's largest financial award, which goes to high achieving South Dakota students who are being recruited nationally.
Studying math and anthropology at USD has proven to be the perfect fit for Schrier. "I have experienced so much because of the personal contact I have with my professors. I wouldn't get that at a bigger school. Everyone is looking out for me. My sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta is like having another family and this year I am vice president. I am always busy," she says. Schrier was able to do math research with a professor as a sophomore and has attended research conferences. She is vice president of Pi Mu Epsilon, the mathematics honor fraternity, and shares her enthusiasm for USD as a Student Ambassador.
"My years at USD have been nothing less than spectacular. I love this place so much. My coursework is interesting and I feel challenged by the professors. For a young woman who swore to never attend The University of South Dakota, I couldn't imagine receiving an education anywhere else."
Schrier is thankful for her scholarship which allows her to focus on her education and her campus activities. She explains, "Without a scholarship I don't know what I would have done. I am so busy with everything I want to achieve while in college that I wouldn't have had time for a job. I would love to share my aspirations and dreams with the person who provided my scholarship – we share in our value of education and the belief that education is the most important gift you can give someone."
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