Karen (Swenson) Combs Family Donates $20k to GHS Ed. Trust

The Glasgow High School Educational Trust is honored and grateful to announce a gift of $20,000 from the Karen (Swenson) Combs Family.

Karen, the very first recipient of a gift from the trust in 1966, said her donation was a "... way of saying thank you and paying forward a blessing."

"I have many fond memories of my high school years at Glasgow High School that set the foundation for continuing my education at Eastern Montana College in Billings, Montana, now known as Montana State University, Billings," Karen said.

"At that time, $500 was huge and paid tuition for a quarter of college. I began my schooling the summer after my graduation from high school in 1965 and graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education.

"I taught my first year in Great Falls as a second-grade teacher and then married Ronald Combs of Glasgow in June of 1970.

"I spent my years teaching in both Great Falls and in Lewistown, Montana, until retiring in 2010 after 25 years of teaching. My education has been a rewarding journey, and I have learned every step of the way. It is my time to pay it forward, and it is a blessing to share."

As with all donations to the trust, Karen (Swenson) Combs' gift will be invested. The interest earned on the corpus, which now exceeds $10 million dollars, is awarded to eligible GHS alumni pursuing post-secondary education at trade school or college through a semi-annual application process administered by the trustees.

Students may apply by July 1 of each year for both semesters of the upcoming year, or by October 15 of each year for the spring semester only.

Since its inception in 1964, the trust has given over $2,700,000 to over 750 different students in very diverse disciplines attending schools across the country.

Students may reapply for additional aid for a total of eight semesters if they continue to meet all of the eligibility requirements.

Many students have received multiple awards from the trust over their courses of study.

The application, eligibility requirements, and additional information about the trust are available at http://www.ghsedutrust.org.

The trust has two gift naming opportunities (i.e., named in honor, in recognition, or in memory of an individual, family, organization, or event). An outright or cumulative donation, or other revenue source, of $500 or more, is eligible for a one-time naming. An outright or cumulative donation, or other revenue source of $10,000 or more, is eligible for an on-going naming opportunity on a regular basis.

The trust also purchases equipment and enrichment programs for Glasgow High School that cannot be financed within the regular budget. Every department of GHS has received such awards, which benefit every student across the curriculum at some time. These additions and improvements also benefit the general public when they attend activities at the school or use the school's facilities for special events.

To date, the trust has spent over $250,000 on these items.

At its recent semi-annual meeting, the Glasgow High School Educational Trust awarded over $200,000 in financial aid to the 45 different students shown below enrolled in 20 different schools for both the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters. These awards include the very first in recognition of the 1966 Scholarship Gift to Karen Anne Swenson, whose name will long be remembered as someone to whom the expression "pay it forward" is obviously much more than a slogan.

First-time Recipients:

Isaac Braaten, South Dakota School of Mines, IMO Phyllis E. Moen Sanguine (fall semester), IMO Audrey and Arthur Parke (spring semester); Ali Cunningham, Dickinson State University, IMO Ardis Parke Fuhrman (fall semester), IMO Harry Rybock (spring semester); Dillon Godwin, Brigham Young U-Idaho, IMO Robert "Bob" E. Rennick, Jr. (fall semester) IMO Vern and Edna Richardson (spring semester); Salomon Hansen, MSU-Bozeman, IMO Judith "Judy" Rorvik Saindon (fall semester), IMO Stan and Eva Kalinski (spring semester); Benjamin Miller, MSU-Bozeman, IMO Ronald A. Combs (fall semester) IRO Paul and Joyce Ruffcorn Jacobson (spring semester);Tanner Overby, Brigham Young U-Idaho, IMO Harold H. and Irene W. Smith (fall semester), IMO Hovland Family (spring semester); Lauren Padden, MSU-Bozeman, IMO Lois Wilson Markle (fall semester), IMO Maxine Fiedler (spring semester);Taylor Pederson, Williston State College, IMO Lila Moen Sanders and IHO Phyllis Moen Sanguine (fall semester), IHO Stan Andersen Family (spring semester);

Anika Peters, South Dakota School of Mines, IRO Tom and Flora Coghlan Family; Brennan Peters, Minot State University, IHO Everett and Elizabeth Breigenzer; Paige Schmitt, MSU-Bozeman, IMO Dean Rusher; Rachel Sigmundstad, MSU-Bozeman, IMO Brenna Billingsley Sundby; Eli Sisson, University of Cincinnati, IMO O. E. and Lois Wilson Markle; Tim Wageman, MSU-Bozeman, IRO Glenn R. and Carolee Grina Wallem; Elijah Zeluff, Montana Technological University, IHO Dorothy Kolstad.

Second-time Recipients:

Kaden Fossum, City College Billings, IMO Leonard H. and Kathryn L. Langen; Brett Glaser, Carroll College, IHO James and Ailene Dokken Olk Family; Katherine Kaiser, Colorado State University, IRO Ione and Phyllis Kleppin (fall semester), IRO Herb and Lucille Friedl Family (spring semester);

Garrett Lloyd, MSU-Bozeman, IHO Kurt Breigenzer; Ellis McKean, University of Montana, IMO Dr. F.M. and Bernice Knierim; Merlin McKean, MSU-Bozeman, IHO Gayle Wagenhals Sage; Cordelia Nickels, MSU-Billings, IHO Sever and Esther Enkerud; Alexus Nistler, MSU-Billings, IMO John and Dolores Wesen; Hayley Nybakken, University of Montana, IHO Carl L. Dix; Elizabeth Page, University of Mary, IMO Leslie L., Lillian, and Mary Margarette Hanson; Alexandria Pehlke, University of Montana-Western, IHO Charlotte Bruce; Natosha Sand, Dickinson State University, IRO Stannebein Family; Trevor Shipp, Mitchell Technical College, IMO Richard "Dick" and Mary Lou Alley Wagenhals; Micah Tweten, MSU-Northern, IMO Cecil and Chloe Vincent Toftness; Brooke Westby, Carroll College, IHO Bill and Peggy Pattison Endowment; Amari Zeluff, Minot State University, IMO Verda Hoffarth Stewart.

Third-time Recipients:

Alexander Fransen, Dickinson State University, IMO James F. and Anne Hoffmann; McKenne Gagne, Minot State University, IMO Gary and Idella Mott; Bailee Holstein, MSU-Northern, IRO Beatrice Trites and Family; Anthony Kaiser, University of North Dakota, IMO Donald "Don" J. Baker; Jesi Kennedy, Montana Technological University, IMO L. J. and Jean Baker; Madison Knodel, MSU-Bozeman, IRO 1966 Scholarship Gift to Karen Anne Swenson;

Sophia Koessl, MSU-Bozeman, IMO Horace O. and Emma C. Gamas; Bryce Legare, MSU-Bozeman, IMO James "Jamie" K. Fewer; Benjamin Phillips, North Dakota State University, IMO James "Jim" A. Parke; Deann Rasmusan, Minot State University, IMO Karen D. Newton.

Fourth-time Recipients:

Teagan Fossum, University of Mary, IMO Marsha Cotton Hall; Jordan Kulczyk, Presentation College, IHO Beryl Pehlke; Karissa Liebelt, MSU-Northern, IMO Aaron "Chappy" Chatten (fall semester) IMO Wallace L. Johnson (spring semester); Taylor Padden, MSU-Bozeman, IRO Willard and Charlotte Bruce Family.

The trust also purchased six books (25 copies of each) for the English Department of Glasgow High School, IMO Dean Rusher.

Linda Allie is, Recording Secretary and Publicity Chair for the Glasgow High School Educational Trust.