Established on 04.27.2021 by Lee W. ’66 and Janice M. Hanson †
Julie Ann Hanson was born November 17, 1981, the youngest of five children, to Lee and Janice Hanson. Julie was close with her family, particularly her mom, who was her best friend throughout her life.
Julie attended elementary school in Rice, Minn., and middle and high schools in Sauk Rapids, Minn. She was an exceptional student and earned straight A’s in her coursework and was loved by her classmates. She also participated in softball and volleyball and was a 10-year member of Just-for-Kix Dance. Julie looked forward to and loved her family’s annual New Year's ski trip to Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior.
Growing up on a hobby farm near Rice, Julie spent much of her childhood surrounded by animals she loved. Her favorite animals were dogs and horses. She began riding horses almost as soon as she could walk, first riding with her dad. Once she started riding on her own, she never looked back. This love of animals fueled her dream to one day be a veterinarian and work with animals as a career. Lee and Janice Hanson established the Julie Hanson Memorial Endowed Scholarship in their daughter’s name to help other students achieve the dream Julie was not granted the time in this world to accomplish.
The Julie Hanson Memorial Endowed Scholarship is awarded to students majoring in one of Concordia’s pre-health professions programs, with preference given to students majoring in nursing, pre-medicine, or planning for a career in veterinary medicine.