NEWS ARTICLE
May 23, 2024
Western National Insurance Group Announces 2024 Scholarship Recipients
We are pleased to announce that our Scholarship Committee has selected the following eight applicants to receive merit-based college scholarships worth $3,000 each for the upcoming fall term: Maria Buntjer (Long Prairie, Minn.), Caryn Childers (Mound, Minn.), Olivia Dodd (Waunakee, Wis.), Grant Prouty (Sioux Falls, S.D.), Elizabeth Schmidt (Claremont, Minn.), Logan Souders (Gold Hill, Ore.), Adalynn Sweeney (Rochester, Minn.), and John Thompson (Shakopee, Minn.). You can read more about our 2024 scholarship recipients below.
Maria Buntjer (Long Prairie, Minn.), child of Kim and Mark Buntjer, will be a freshman this year at the University of Mary (Bismarck, N.D.) studying exercise science / biomechanics and physical therapy. In school, Maria was involved with student council and participated in softball, hockey, and cross country. Outside of school, she has been involved with 4-H and has taught kids to skate and play hockey.
Maria’s father, Mark, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Advantage 1 Insurance Agency in Long Prairie, Minn.
Caryn Childers (Mound, Minn.), child of Miranda and Courtney Childers, will be a freshman this year at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (Madison, Wis.) studying finance and pre-law. In school, Caryn has participated in DECA, student senate, Madd Jazz, and lacrosse. Outside of school, she volunteered with Letters of Love.
Caryn’s mother, Miranda, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at AssuredPartners of MN in Chaska, Minn.
Olivia Dodd (Waunakee, Wis.), child of Steven Dodd, will be a freshman this year. She is still finalizing her choice of college but knows she will be studying marketing. In school, Olivia has been involved with the student newspaper, student council, Justice League Club, and Art Club. Outside of school, she has been involved with Our Youth 4 the Climate and has volunteered for the Waunakee Public Library.
Olivia’s father, Steven, is a Loss Control Consultant III at Western National Insurance Group.
Grant Prouty (Sioux Falls, S.D.), child of Kristi and Jay Prouty, will be a freshman at Peru State College (Peru, Neb.) studying business. In school, Grant participated in football, basketball, track, and marching band. Outside of school, he coached preschool-aged kids at Rookies Baseball Camp and taught Sunday school.
Grant’s father, Jay, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at North Central Insurance in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Elizabeth Schmidt (Claremont, Minn.), child of Sarah and Robert Schmidt, will be a freshman at Bethel University (St. Paul, Minn.) studying social work. In school, Elizabeth participated in volleyball, basketball, and senior class fundraising efforts. Outside of school, she spent time volunteering and was part of the Bethel Youth Group.
Elizabeth’s mother, Sarah, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at A Family First Agency in Owatonna, Minn.
Logan Souders (Gold Hill, Ore.), child of Holly Dale and Jason Souders, will be a freshman at the University of Oregon (Eugene, Ore.) studying cinema studies. In school, Logan was involved with St. Mary's Movie Review Club, St. Mary's School Diversity Club, and St. Mary's School Recycling Club. Outside of school, he was involved with Hanley Farm – Southern Oregon Historical Society and spent time volunteering.
Logan’s mother, Holly, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Hub International NW in Eugene, Ore.
Adalynn Sweeney (Rochester, Minn.), child of Bridget and Chris Sanders, will be a sophomore at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.) studying neuroscience and Spanish. In school, Adalynn has been involved with Undergraduate Student Government and served as Boynton Health Advocate for her residence hall. Outside of school, she has volunteered with the International Medical Alliance and been involved with the Mayo Medical School Simulation Lab & CUUE team.
Adalynn’s father, Chris, is a Western National Insurance Group agency partner at Farmers Union Insurance Agency in St. Paul, Minn.
John Thompson (Shakopee, Minn.), child of Jonnai Thompson, will be a freshman at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.) studying entrepreneurship, management, finance, and business. In school, John has participated in soccer, track and field, football, jazz band, and DECA. Outside of school, he has participated in club soccer and has volunteered at youth soccer camps.
John’s mother, Jonnai, is a Learning & Development Manager at Western National Insurance Group.
Scholarships are available annually to eight eligible, college-enrolled children of Western National Insurance Group partner agents and employees in the Group’s states of operation. Applications are judged on a variety of criteria (including academics, curricular and extra-curricular activity participation, a letter of recommendation, and an essay), with students’ identifying information hidden from the judges to ensure the integrity of the scoring process.
"On behalf of everyone at Western National Insurance Group, I extend our warmest congratulations to each of our 2024 scholarship recipients," said Rick Long, President and CEO. "For the past seventeen years, we have had the privilege of supporting the collegiate education of the children of our agency partners and employees through this scholarship. It is our goal that this scholarship helps support these students in their educational pursuits."
Western National Insurance, headquartered in Edina, Minn., is a super-regional group of property-and-casualty insurance companies. The Group writes business through five active insurance companies—Western National Mutual Insurance Company, Western National Assurance Company, Pioneer Specialty Insurance Company, Umialik Insurance Company, and American Freedom Insurance Company — and is affiliated with Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company. Together, the affiliated Group writes over $1 billion in personal and commercial direct premium in 20 states across the Northern, Midwestern, and Western U.S. as well as in Alaska; and surety bonds in 43 states. All of the companies’ products are sold exclusively through professional Independent Insurance Agents.
For further information, please contact:
Julia Jenson, AINS
Assistant Vice President, Communications
(952) 303-8789
julia.jenson@wnins.com
