Sydney Wardner attended LRSC from the fall of 2019 to the spring of 2022 when she earned her associate of nursing degree. Sydney had chosen to study nursing at Lake Region because she had heard wonderful things from previous nursing students in her small town. Sydney said, “Some of my best memories from LRSC were ones made with my softball teammates and fellow nursing students. Nursing is a hard profession, with very long hours in the lab and the classroom. I found that some of my teammates and classmates intertwined because of the smaller class sizes and campus. One that stands out is going to open skate night at the Burdick arena for a campus event!”

On campus, the person who had the biggest impact on Sydney was her royal ambassador's advisor, Ashlee Collison. Sydney said, “During my time at LRSC, there was not any member of staff who was anything but kind and helpful. Ashlee took that above and beyond. She was my biggest supporter and genuinely took an interest in me and my degree. Coming from a medical background herself, she often helped quiz me if I was doing work at the spare desk in their office. She wouldn't bat an eye if I came into her office after a bad day and listened to me. She also reached out to a group she thought I would enjoy, and I met many more friends during that.”

If Sydney had any advice for new students, it would be to be brave and embrace new things. “Going to college can be very stressful if making new friends is not a strong suit, but because LRSC is a smaller campus, you make friends easily by being involved in many of the same activities as other students,” Sydney said. “I also would say that even though the size of the campus is small, there is no shortage of activities or groups to be a part of. I also encourage you to try new things and opportunities that you have never dreamed of doing because it can put you on wonderful new adventures,” Syndey said.

Sydney is currently working as an associate degree Nurse at Altru in the surgical department. Her job entails going to get the patients for surgery, assisting the CRNAs during the case, and circulating during the surgery. She may someday go on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Mayville State or possibly a Registered Nurse First Assistant degree so that she may assist surgeons during surgery.

Devils Lake, ND

“I would tell students to look at Lake Region State College because of the great environment.

I’ve been given many opportunities such as student senate where I get to be the vice president, secretary and treasurer, royal ambassador, invited into honor society, and I’ll graduate in one year, and scholarship money to pay for fall and spring semester and then some.

I don't know why anyone wouldn't come here, especially if they have dual credit, since it opens so many doors for different types of futures.”

Erin received scholarships from Campus Clan & Kin, Darling Family, and Klemetsrud Family endowments.

Cavalier, ND

“I am currently going for Liberal Arts here at LRSC and I plan on transferring to another ND school to get my Bachelor’s in History Education so I can become a high school history teacher. I am also the President of the Student Senate, a great extracurricular activity that can get a person involved in student government.

I have so far received the James Wakefield and American Bank Center Scholarships and I feel very honored. Getting these lets me know that I have worked hard and will continue to do so not only to get the money, which also makes a financial impact, but it will look good on my transcript.”

Kensal, ND

Nicole chose Lake Region State College because it’s a great place to start your college path.

“Why pay more money to take the classes at a four-year university when you can take them at a two-year school for less?”

She found cost savings at LRSC because students only pay for the first 12 on-campus credits. Additional on-campus credits are a bonus. Nicole says all her instructors are great and they truly care about your well-being.

Nicole is the recipient of the Jay & Mavis Gerrells Scholarship endowment

Adelaide, Australia

Austin chose LRSC as it was very affordable and offered an excellent program in accounting. And, as you can see by the photo the great baseball program offered by the college was a bonus.

“Scholarships have had a profound impact on me and many students I know. LRSC offers so many good scholarships that have made my life at the college much more affordable, and they take away much of the stress with college finances.”

Austin received scholarships from the Colleen Bryn Memorial Endowment, Gary and Rita Stenson Endowment and Harley and Viola Summers Toolbox Scholarship

Leeds, ND

“Because LRSC is only 30 miles from my hometown, it was the perfect location to be able to go back and forth to go to school, as well as take care of my livestock. In addition, I was able to go to school with a lot less expense than I would by going to a larger university.”

After college Jarrel plans to earn a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. “Aside from LRSC’s lower tuition compared to a four-year, scholarships have been a huge blessing to me as well. I have been able to pay my way through my Associate’s without taking out student loans. I want to thank those who give to institutions for various scholarships.Your contributions do not go to waste.”

Jarrel received the David and Jamie Nienhuis Scholarship and Darling Family Scholarship.