“Growing up in rural South Dakota, I was fascinated by big city life. With the encouragement of my parents to get out of my comfort zone, I decided to come to the University of Minnesota, which is at the heart of an expansive cultural melting pot and boasts an incredible biology program. 

“During my years at the U, I’ve been blown away by the experiences I’ve had. I am proud to say that I have developed a sense of open-mindedness, cultural awareness, and inclusivity.”

—Justin Oakland, ’18, Olseth Family Scholarship recipient