In the past 10 years, Concordia has had 11 recipients of the Torrison Scholarship, the most recipients of any of the colleges that have applied.
The Dr. George and Emma J. Torrison Scholarship Fund provides grants for students who intend to pursue careers in medicine. The donors had a particular concern to encourage persons whose careers would lead them toward working to alleviate presently incurable diseases.
This year, the 2020-21 recipient of the Torrison Scholarship is 2019 graduate Austin Grove. The $4,000 awards are payable in two installments (September and January).
“Attending Concordia has brought forth so many opportunities,” said Grove. “Because the Cobber campus is so tightly knit, the faculty are able to present students with possibilities that I may not have received if I’d attended a larger campus where some students go unnoticed.”
Each year, all ELCA colleges are invited to nominate graduating or recently graduated individuals who have been accepted to medical school and can apply for this award. Candidates are nominated by the president of the institution or the president’s appointee. Dr. Julie Rutherford, associate professor of biology, has been Concordia’s appointee since 2012.
“It is an honor to be able to nominate our students for this award,” said Rutherford. “It is wonderful to see them pursue their responsible engagement in the world through the field of medicine, and to see them recognized through the Torrison award just makes it all the better.”
The Torrison scholarship was brought to Grove’s attention by one of the biology professors as she knew he fit the criteria for the application.
“I am beyond grateful for my experiences at Concordia that allowed me to not only receive the generous Torrison scholarship but also to say that my dream of becoming a doctor is finally coming to fruition,” added Grove.