May 7, 2018 | Community, Latest News
Olivia Rud of Madison is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from Basin Electric Power Cooperative based in Bismarck, N.D. She is the daughter of Jeff and Jeanne Rud of Madison.
Basin Electric awards 180 scholarships per year to children of member cooperative employees across the region. Rud’s father, Jeff, works as the Power Supply Specialist for East River Electric Power Cooperative in Madison, a Basin Electric member.
Olivia will attend Northern State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in Spanish. She will also play on Northern’s volleyball team. She then plans to attend PA School to become a Physician’s Assistant. Throughout high school, Olivia participated in volleyball, basketball and track. During her high school career Olivia’s teammates voted her team MVP in both volleyball and track. Olivia is the president of the National Honor Society and is involved at her church, St. John’s Lutheran Church.
“We congratulate Olivia and her family on this tremendous honor,” said East River Electric CEO/General Manager Tom Boyko. “Olivia’s commitment to both academics and athletics shows her dedication to attaining her goals. We wish Olivia well as she continues her education at Northern State University.”
Since the scholarship program began, over 3,000 students in the Basin Electric system have benefited from this program. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic record, potential to succeed, leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, a statement of education and career goals and an outside appraisal by a teacher or adviser.
May 1, 2018 | Community, Latest News
Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota honored some of the area’s most impressive high school seniors Saturday, April 28, during the 16th annual Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year banquet and recognition on the campus of Lake Area Technical Institute.
The event honored the 33 high school students who were chosen each week throughout the school year as the Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week. It’s a program which recognizes students for academic achievement, co-curricular involvement and community service. The students are featured in weekly segments which air on KSFY Television and each student receives a $100 scholarship for being chosen as the Scholar of the Week.
Nathan Hulscher, a senior at Florence High School within Codington-Clark Electric’s service territory, was selected during the banquet as the Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year. Hulscher, who plans to attend Augustana University in the fall, received a $1,000 scholarship. Trevor Case, a senior at Webster Area High School within Lake Region Electric’s service territory, and Alexander Palecek, a senior at Yankton High School within Clay-Union Electric’s service territory, were both chosen to receive $500 scholarships. The names were drawn from among the attendees.
Lake Area Technical Institute’s President Michael Cartney was the keynote speaker for the Scholar of the Year banquet. KSFY News anchor Brian Allen served as the master of ceremonies.
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota provide safe and reliable electricity to more than 113,000 homes and businesses. The cooperatives have sponsored the Scholar of the Week program since 2002. In that time Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have awarded over $80,000 in scholarships as part of the Scholar of the Week program.
