Scholarships Power a Force for Good: Spring 2024

Jonathan Norling, current MBA student

Following a challenging deployment in Afghanistan and Iraq, my transition back to civilian life was marked by a demanding phase of physical and mental recovery, ultimately leading to my medical retirement from the military. In this critical period, training my service dog, Athena—and experiencing the profound bond and support she provided—became a cornerstone in my healing process. She was not just a pet but a lifeline, guiding me through the most difficult times and aiding in my rehabilitation.

I chose to pursue an MBA to combine my diverse civilian and military skills and experiences under a unified framework. This journey is driven by a deep-seated desire to give back to the community of transitioning and disabled veterans. The scholarship I have received is invaluable, as it not only furthers my academic and professional goals, but also empowers me to assist other veterans on their paths to success, much like Athena assisted me on mine.

Jonathan Norling is a recipient of the Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation Military Veterans Fellowship.

Makayla Hillukka, junior in the Undergraduate Program

I grew up in northern Minnesota in a low-income community, and my academic endeavors are of my own ambition and responsibility. I have worked multiple part-time jobs over the past two years, all while balancing heavy academic course loads within the Honors College, majoring in Management Information Systems at the Carlson School of Management and Human Resource Development at the College for Education and Human Development, while minoring in Communication Studies. I also partake in many extracurriculars on campus.

Additional scholarship funding changes the trajectory of my upcoming year, allowing me to further my dedication to academics while serving as the University’s Speech team’s vice president, the Communication Studies Association’s co-president, and a delegation member of the University’s Institute on the Environment’s partnership with Germany.

Makayla Hillukka is a recipient of the Warren A. and Lois A. Reich Scholarship and the Geisler Family Study Abroad Scholarship.

Illustrations: Ben Kirchner