Scholarships Power a Force for Good: Spring 2026
Monday, April 13, 2026
Scholarships help provide opportunities for students to pursue a world-class business education while engaging in meaningful activities outside the classroom, gaining leadership and management experiences that enhance and are strengthened by their classroom learning. Philanthropy from alumni and friends of Minnesota Carlson makes a positive impact, extending far beyond the campus.
Elijah Anderson - Senior in Undergraduate Program
As a kid, I was always curious about airport baggage claims. I became obsessed with how each bag went exactly where it needed to go. Years later, this curiosity reawakened when I took Assistant Professor Hailong Cui’s supply chain and operations course, which inspired me to major in this field.
At my summer job in the service department of a vehicle dealership, I used the skills I learned to build a comprehensive operations guide. This included details of every process employees would take on — from dealing with insurance and warranty companies, to ordering parts and logging effective documentation.
I am grateful to receive a scholarship, without which I likely would not have been able to put myself all the way through college. I am now a program assistant for Professor Cui, who helped me secure my first internship, and I enjoy supply chain and operations just as much as when I was a kid in the airport.
As a kid, I was always curious about airport baggage claims. I became obsessed with how each bag went exactly where it needed to go.
Jordan Olagbaju - Junior in Undergraduate Program
Since I first set foot on this campus, I realized how important it is to have someone always in your corner, guiding you along every milestone. It makes a difference. The support I have at Carlson motivates me to strive for excellence, take on challenges and give back to others like me.
Inspired by this support, I serve as a peer mentor for underrepresented students and hold leadership roles in student organizations focused on professional development and equity.
I chose to study Finance and Accounting, in part, because I wanted to gain the skills to create economic opportunities and promote financial equity, especially for those often left out of the conversation. The scholarship funding and support that I have received at Carlson have reinforced my belief that with hard work and the right community behind you, anything is possible.
Illustrations by Ben Kirchner
This article appeared in the Spring 2026 alumni magazine
In the world of business, Minnesota Carlson and its vibrant community act as a powerful spark for action and change.