Frederick & Dina Derocher Communication Studies Mentorship Scholarship in Honor of Professor Rita Rahoi-Gilchrest

The Frederick and Dina Derocher Communication Studies Mentorship Scholarship in Honor of Rita Rahoi-Gilchrest will benefit WSU students majoring in Communication Studies while honoring Professor Rita Rahoi-Gilchrest, who both mentored and inspired Frederick during his academic career at WSU.

Criteria

1. Each recipient must be an undergraduate enrolled full-time and in good standing (not on academic probation) at Winona State University (minimum of 12 credits per semester, Fall and Spring).
2. Each recipient must be a declared major in Communication Studies.
3. Each recipient must be classified as a junior or senior in the year they receive the award.
4. Each recipient must maintain a 3.0 G.P.A.
5. Each recipient must demonstrate financial need, but need should not be based solely on FASFA.

Biography/Motivation

I feel blessed to have received academic and athletic scholarships while at Winona State. During my final two years at WSU, I completed an internship with the Department of University Advancement with a focus of raising scholarship dollars for students. This gave me great insight to the need for funding in addition to providing an opportunity to give back to the university. I come from humble beginnings. My parents provided ample amounts of love and support but weren’t able to financially support my education. If it weren’t for the generosity of others, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities to pay for school and focus on my studies. This scholarship is a first step in saying thank you for those who came before me and it is my hope to plant a seed of generosity that pays it forward for future generations.
I want this scholarship to honor Dr. Rita Rahoi-Gilchrest for inspiring my academic endeavors by bringing the best out of my academic experience. She encouraged critical thought and problem solving skillsets that are crucial to my success and the financial success of my clients. My classmates and I did our best work under guidance. I will be forever grateful to her for her continued mentorship both prior to and after graduating, and the permanent impact she has had on my professional life.