???? Scholarship Spotlight ???? 
 
We're excited to announce the launch of a brand new series on our platforms! The Scholarship Spotlight series will periodically feature the stories of our scholarships and donors, and how their dollars positively impact our local community. We have many annual and endowed scholarships - and their stories are truly inspiring. We hope you enjoy learning more about the amazing folks that help shape our program and communities!
 
 
 
Cambridge-Isanti Rotary Club Service Scholarships 1 & 2, $500
Rotary International began in 1905 when attorney Paul Harris pulled together business leaders with diverse backgrounds to not only share business ideas but to also share how they could better serve the communities in which they live. Rotary's motto is "Service above self." 
 
The Cambridge-Isanti Rotary Club desires the recipients of these scholarships to live a life of volunteer service to their communities. These two, $500 scholarships are awarded to CIHS seniors who plan to pursue a service-oriented field such as social work or counseling. Thank you to the Cambridge-Isanti Rotary Club and its members!

 

 
Vinyl Art, Inc. Arts Scholarship
We love sharing the stories of local businesses and benefactors who generously donate to C-I Dollars for Scholars! Today's Scholarship Spotlight honors Vinyl Art, Inc., a Minnesota-based manufacturer of vinyl and polypropylene products, lead by Mr. Tim Hitchings. The Vinyl Art, Inc. Arts Scholarship for $1,000 is awarded to a CIHS senior who has plans to pursue a music education degree, or who plans to participate in band or choir in college. We are grateful to Vinyl Art, Inc. for funding their C-I Dollars for Scholars scholarship since the 2017-18 school year!  

 

 
East Central Energy Scholarships 1-5
We are so fortunate that East Central Energy (ECE) has made five, $1,000 scholarships available to the students of CIHS through Cambridge-Isanti Dollars for Scholars! ECE awards scholarships to students planning to participate in approved post-secondary degree programs. These scholarships are available as the result of Capital Credits, which have remained unclaimed after several attempts to locate past members of the cooperative.
 
Thank you to East Central Energy for their generous donations to Cambridge-Isanti Dollars for Scholars!

 

 
Minnco Credit Union Scholarships 1 & 2
 
Minnco Credit Union was established in 1935 and based on the philosophy of people helping people. The credit union continues their mission by providing support in the communities it serves. One way they accomplish this goal is through educational scholarships, which have been offered for over 20 years! We are especially grateful to have Minnco President & CEO Doug Hallstrom serving on the Cambridge-Isanti Dollars for Scholars Board of Trustees.
 
Thank you to Minnco Credit Union for generously sponsoring two Dollars for Scholars scholarships!

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delmer E. Munkberg Scholarships & Dorothy E. Munkberg Scholarships (Endowments)

Picture 1: Delmer Munkberg.
Picture 2, left to right: Bud Parker is presented with a check from Dorothy Munkberg to endow the Delmer E. Munkberg Scholarships, 1990.
Picture 3, left to right: Current CI-DFS Board members Cindy Szafranksi & John Munkberg present a check endowing the Dorothy E. Munkberg Scholarships to former CI-DFS Board members Jimmy Lindberg & Brian Strike, 2009.

It was a midday symposium in 1990 that kickstarted our organization, led by a generous donation from Dorothy Munkberg, one of our founding members and benefactors. Dorothy, along with children John, Charles, Vera, Mary (and their spouses), sought to donate a sum of money to be used as a scholarship for a student at Cambridge High School (now Cambridge-Isanti High School), in memory of husband and father Delmer Munkberg, who passed away in 1986. Delmer was a member of the Cambridge-Isanti School Board and therefore passionate about education. After raising the scholarship idea with local attorney Bud Parker, a check was brought to then President of Cambridge State Bank, Robert Becklin. They decided to invite Cambridge High School Principal Harland Johnson to lunch where they would discuss the basis of what is known today as Cambridge-Isanti Dollars for Scholars. Since that bigger-than-just-a-lunch meeting at, "The Hawk," C-I Dollars for Scholars has provided almost $4 million in scholarships to CIHS grads.

That check from Dorothy and her children formed, "The Delmer E. Munkberg Scholarships," the first permanent endowment established in our community. Sadly, Dorothy passed away in 2008 at the age of 88. After her passing, the Munkberg Family endowed additional scholarships in their mother's honor, "The Dorothy E. Munkberg Scholarships." We are fortunate today for Delmer and Dorothy's son, John Munkberg, who has actively served on our Board of Trustees since 1997. So dedicated to our mission, in fact, that John used to drive his mother to her Dollars for Scholars board meetings. What a great son!

Thousands of Cambridge-Isanti students have benefitted from the Munkbergs' long commitment to education in our community. We thank the entire Munkberg Family for their vision, dedication, and generosity!

Isanti County Pheasants Forever Scholarship

Supporting local youth is part of Isanti County Pheasants Forever's mission. Since 2016, the chapter has given two annual $500 scholarships through Cambridge-Isanti Dollars for Scholars. Scholarships are given to students who express an interest in going into a science field or have been members of the high school trap team. Getting kids outside and involved in fun conservation activities is important to chapter members. To accomplish that: annual youth hunts are held at Pheasants Ridge Shooting Preserve (pictures are from the 2022 youth hunt), tuition for 3-4 Summer conservation campers is provided, shells for the high school trap team league are donated and families are invited to participate in an annual Spring Hunt at Pheasants Ridge Shooting Preserve. Also, interested youth are invited to help with the annual Isanti County Pheasants Forever banquet so they can be a part of the fundraising activities needed to support the chapter's ongoing youth activities.
 
We are grateful to Isanti County Pheasants Forever for their generous gift to our organization. Thank you for supporting Cambridge-Isanti youth and graduates through your programs and donations! If you are interested in learning more about Isanti County Pheasants Forever, visit: www.isanticountypf.com/.
 
Special photo thanks to Alex Gerhardson, President of Isanti County Pheasants Forever.

Sheilah Thomas Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was created in loving memory of Sheilah by her parents, Tom and Helen Thomas, and Sheilah's brothers Sean and Kyle. They wanted a lasting memorial by which people could remember Sheilah after she tragically passed away many years ago.  Both Tom and Helen worked within our local educational systems in Cambridge-Isanti Schools and at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. They believed strongly that education, training, and learning HOW to learn are all essential components of achievement in an ever-changing workforce. 

Robert & Joyce Becklin Scholarship

Robert (Bob) Becklin was born in Cambridge in 1926. He was the oldest of seven siblings. Joyce (Hiljus) Becklin was born in 1928, also in Isanti County. The two became a couple at Cambridge High School, graduated, and were united in marriage at Cambridge Lutheran Church in 1948. They were blessed with three children: Barry, Bob Jr., and Janet. 

Bob joined the military and served in the Pacific Theatre. He ascended to Sergeant Major for the 382nd Station Hospital in Korea. Upon discharge, he went to work for the United States Postal Service until 1955. Bob subsequently teamed up with a small group of individuals to create the Rum River Charcoal Plant in South Isanti. He served as President of the plant until 1966 before being elected as President of Peoples State Bank in 1971. Bob was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives for Isanti and Chisago Counties and would go on to serve five terms as Representative. During that time, Bob authored several key pieces of legislation including the act that created Cambridge Community College - now Anoka Ramsey Community College, Cambridge Campus. Bob also served on the Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees in Cambridge for nearly three decades, earning the Minnesota Hospital Trustee of the Year award in 1990. One year prior to that, in 1989, Bob co-founded our organization, Cambridge-Isanti Dollars for Scholars. Bob passed away in August of 2012 at the age of 86.
 
Joyce spent countless hours volunteering her time and talents to many of our community organizations in a variety of roles. She was the first Patient Representative at Cambridge Memorial Hospital (now Cambridge Medical Center) where she also served as Volunteer Coordinator. Joyce enjoyed many other volunteer roles such as Cub Scout Leader, American Auxiliary Officer and lifetime member, and spending time organizing hockey events for the youth at the Cambridge State Hospital. When Bob joined the Minnesota House of Representatives, Joyce served alongside him as the elected President of the Rotunda Club, a spouses' organization for State Legislators. She enjoyed carrying on family traditions throughout the years and was especially proud of her Swedish heritage. Sadly, Joyce (91) passed away in March of 2020.
 
Robert and Joyce believed that education is pivotal to our ever-changing world. Their legacy of service and giving has been felt by thousands of Cambridge-Isanti students and their families, and many more throughout the state of Minnesota. We thank Robert and Joyce, and their family, for continuing to shape our community through their generous endowment. 
 
"All we ask is that students have a positive attitude for learning and are willing to put forth the effort. Students must have the desire and motivation to try."  Robert & Joyce Becklin, "A Tribute of Honor," 1994.
 

Jane & Deane Skogman Scholarship (Endowment)

Jane Wainscott & Deane Skogman met in their early teens while in a 4-H program in Iowa. Their families kept in contact over the years as the couple took separate paths. In 1943, during the height of World War II, Deane joined the Army where he participated in the liberation of France. The following year, Deane sustained shrapnel injuries in Normandy and suffered trench foot (frozen feet) during the Battle of the Bulge. He was taken to a hospital in London where he received treatment for his wounds.  

At the same time, Jane was studying at the University of Colorado. She got word that Deane had been injured, and began writing him letters. Their relationship grew through their writings.

Deane earned several medals including a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, and was discharged in 1946. He came home and began pursuing a degree at Iowa State. By this time, Jane had graduated college. The couple were married in 1948, and Deane finished his studies in Dairy Husbandry, graduating in 1949. Education was very important to Jane and Deane. 

In 1950, the couple moved to a farm East of Cambridge. The farm was located at the North end of Skogman Lake - so named for Deane's great-grandfather who settled there in the 1860's. How cool is that?!

The Skogmans went on to have five children - three sons and two daughters. Deane was an excellent farmer for many years raising hogs, dairy cattle, corn and alfalfa. He retired in 1996. Sadly, Deane passed away in 2013 at the age of 89.

Jane volunteered for several local organizations, and in 1973 she was elected to the School Board, becoming the first female Board member to Cambridge-Isanti District 911. She would go on to hold that position for 36 YEARS. In 1990, she joined the Cambridge-Isanti Dollars for Scholars Board of Trustees. Currently, Jane (age 96) is an honorary C-I DFS Board member who actively served our organization for three impactful decades. During that time, she helped to award scholarships to over 4,000 Cambridge-Isanti High School graduates totaling over $2.5 million!

Jane and Deane endowed two scholarships to our program: The Jane & Deane Skogman Scholarship and the Helen Wainscott Memorial Scholarship, in honor of Jane's mother who was passionate about home economics studies. Their hope is that these scholarships encourage students to pursue the education they need, and that those recipients go on to better their communities through service and giving. 

 Left to right: CI-DFS President Ray Hoheisel, George Lieser, Rebecca Lieser, CI-DFS Board Member Dan Fosse, and current C-I Schools Board Member Lynn Wedlund.

 

Rebecca & George Lieser Scholarship (Endowment)

This scholarship was established to encourage students to consider vocational and technical careers. Following military service, George worked for 39 years in manufacturing. Rebecca taught in the Family & Consumer Science area, mainly Food and Nutrition classes, for 34 years. 30 of those years were at CIHS along with a total of 41 years as the FCCLA advisor. This scholarship was established to be awarded to a student going into a career related to Family & Consumer Science such as teaching, culinary arts, nutrition, child care, interior design, textile arts, or to an FCCLA Member.

 Left to right: C-I DFS President Ray Hoheisel, Sister Margaret, Sister Francette, and Lil'l Farm President Joe Foerster.

 

Lil'l Farm Scholarship (Endowment)

Lil'l Farm Children's Home's, Sister Margaret, presents a check to Cambridge-Isanti Dollars for Scholars President, Ray Hoheisel, to endow a $2,500 annual scholarship. With her was Sister Francette and Lil'l Farm President Joe Foerster. The non-profit Lil'l Farm, where the two Sisters served as foster parents for Isanti County children, was dissolved and sold when the sisters retired. The Lil'l Farm Scholarship will serve as an annual reminder of the love the sisters bestowed on the children they cared for at Lil'l Farm for 20 plus years.