FOREST CITY, Iowa, Sept. 30, 2026 – Waldorf University celebrated its Academic Honors & Scholarship Day on Wed., Sept. 9, recognizing students for their dedication to academic excellence and celebrating the generosity of donors who make scholarships possible.

The Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation was able to award 119 scholarships as 156 individual awards totaling $297,840 during the annual event. In addition, 144 students were recognized for their academic accomplishments by earning a place on the Dean’s list.

Several endowed funds were awarded for the first time this year, continuing the support of Waldorf students. The Bart Appleton Endowed Scholarship was awarded for the first time after donors funded the scholarship for its first two years while the endowment matured. Other endowed funds awarded for the first time included the Ingeborg Coltvet 1929 Endowed Scholarship, established by Duane Coppeler 1965 to celebrate the faculty member who helped shape his Waldorf experience; the David A. Damm 1973 Endowed Fund; the Betty Nyhus Gollnik 1949 Memorial Endowed Scholarship and the Theodore Strand 1964 Endowed Scholarship.

“Academic Honors & Scholarship Day is such a special celebration. Students are so enthusiastic when their names are called to receive a scholarship, but what’s even more fun is hearing them cheer for their friends and classmates,” Waldorf University President Bob Alsop said.

Following the ceremony, scholarship recipients were able to personally meet their donors for lunch and learn more about the people behind the financial support helping to make their education possible.

“The donor and stewardee luncheon is a special time for me,” said Ms. Severin Roberts, executive director for the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation. “When students say they can’t wait to start their own scholarship, I get a lump in my throat. One student shared a story that deeply moved me. He shared that, after meeting his donor the previous year, he couldn’t believe someone believed in him so much. It was genuinely what he needed to commit to being a student focused on academics first, and his sport second. A year later he got to tell his donor that story and thank them, again, for believing in him.”

Waldorf University extends its appreciation to all those who helped to make the Academic Honors & Scholarship Day possible and who continue to support the students throughout their academic journeys.