It was a day full of emotion as Concordia College employees presented a record seven high school seniors from Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo with the Community Achievement Scholarship (CAS). Students who earn the CAS have their tuition, housing, and meal plan covered for four years at Concordia.
Hameedah Oladele from Moorhead fell to her knees and cried when she learned she would be receiving the full-ride scholarship.
“This is everything for little Hameedah,” she said. “Six years ago, when I came here (from Nigeria), this was not possible. Now it’s possible. It is such an honor. I’m in such a privileged position to get this.”
For Fargo Davies senior Mumina Ali, the scholarship relieves stress on her goal to study computer science at Concordia. It also gives her the opportunity to join friends on campus who previously received the CAS.
“I was really worried about money and all of that,” Ali said as she celebrated the surprise announcement with family and friends. “But now I am so happy.”
The CAS is open to first-generation, college-bound students from ethnically and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds who live in Fargo-Moorhead or the surrounding area. To qualify, students must demonstrate commitment to cultural diversity, strong academic achievement, leadership and/or community involvement, financial need, and potential to succeed at the college level.
“This is to really give back to the Fargo-Moorhead community,” said Katie Demuth ’14, assistant director of admission. “This is our home. This is our backyard, and we want to serve those students. I think this scholarship really says we care about our community and these students.”
In addition to room and board being covered, the students will also receive professional support and mentoring within the program and participate in summer leadership preparation sessions.
“These students are chosen for the incredible impact they already made within their community as well as the work they want to continue to do,” Demuth said. “They are headstrong students who will make an impact on this world. They earned this.”
“This scholarship is so meaningful to the recipients because if not for this scholarship, they maybe couldn't go to college – not just to Concordia, but college in general,” Demuth added. “So, this is a life-changing experience for some of them, and I'm just so thankful that I get to be a part of it every day.”
With her plan now solidified to attend Concordia in the fall, Oladele is ready for action.
“I'm so eager now to serve this community in the best way I can,” she said with tears in her eyes. “I'm just so thankful.”
The full list of 2023's Community Achievement Scholarship recipients:
- Sumaya Abukar — West Fargo
- Mumina Ali — Davies
- Tika Bhattarai — West Fargo
- Rachel Huynh — West Fargo Sheyenne
- Khamisa Jok — Fargo South
- Hameedah Odalele — Moorhead
- Sheerah Paintsil — West Fargo Sheyenne
