Emily Risberg of Bemidji is the first recipient of the Judy (Bourcy) Christenson Memorial Scholarship, according to an announcement from Ken Christenson of Shevlin.
Annually, the scholarship will award $1,000 to a student attending the University of Minnesota Crookston. Ken Christenson said he established the scholarship in memory of his wife, who died of breast cancer in 2014.
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Ken Christenson has a long-time background in agriculture and supports students who seek careers in an agricultural field. Judy was born and raised in farming and was dedicated to agriculture, working in the Farm Service Agency office in Bagley for 27 years, according to a release.
To qualify for the scholarship, students must be incoming freshmen, attend UMC, pursue a degree in any area related to agriculture or natural resources, and submit an essay, application or other written expression of their plans for a future in agriculture.
Preference is given to students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or greater, and further preference is given to students from (in order) Bagley, the counties of Clearwater, Beltrami, Polk or Mahnomen or Northwest Minnesota. Interested students should see their high school counselor for more details.
