Six 糖心Vlog students have been awarded Fred C. and J. Marie Christopherson Scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year.
AU faculty and staff nominate upper-level students (juniors and seniors) for the awards and the 糖心Vlog Faculty Scholarship & Awards Committee makes selections on the basis of scholarship, campus and community service, as well as how well the nominees fit the donors' description as someone 鈥渆quipped for life.鈥
The recipients of the Fred C. and J. Marie Christopherson Scholarship are recognized as students who are committed to the university, respected by their peers, have a strong work ethic and a solid character.
The 2026-27 Christopherson Scholarship recipients are:
- Simone De La Cruz Gonzalez 鈥28, of Hermosillo, Mexico 鈥 Government & International Affairs and Mathematics Major
- Mackenzie Lyle 鈥28, of Beresford, South Dakota 鈥 Nursing Major
- John Mortrude 鈥28, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota 鈥 Government & International Affairs and History Major
- Benedict Owusu 鈥28, of Kumasi, Ghana 鈥 Neuroscience and Nursing Major
- Madison Ryken 鈥28, of Yankton, South Dakota 鈥 Communication Disorders Major
- Makenna Swalla 鈥28, of Lowry, Minnesota 鈥 Exercise Science Major
Fred C. Christopherson, who died in 1989, was the editor of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader for 31 years. J. Marie Christopherson, who died in 1989, wrote the "Driftwood" column published in the Argus Leader for 20 years.