Olivia Rud of Madison is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from Basin Electric Power Cooperative based in Bismarck, N.D. She is the daughter of Jeff and Jeanne Rud of Madison.
Basin Electric awards 180 scholarships per year to children of member cooperative employees across the region. Rud’s father, Jeff, works as the Power Supply Specialist for East River Electric Power Cooperative in Madison, a Basin Electric member.
Olivia will attend Northern State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in Spanish. She will also play on Northern’s volleyball team. She then plans to attend PA School to become a Physician’s Assistant. Throughout high school, Olivia participated in volleyball, basketball and track. During her high school career Olivia’s teammates voted her team MVP in both volleyball and track. Olivia is the president of the National Honor Society and is involved at her church, St. John’s Lutheran Church.
“We congratulate Olivia and her family on this tremendous honor,” said East River Electric CEO/General Manager Tom Boyko. “Olivia’s commitment to both academics and athletics shows her dedication to attaining her goals. We wish Olivia well as she continues her education at Northern State University.”
Since the scholarship program began, over 3,000 students in the Basin Electric system have benefited from this program. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic record, potential to succeed, leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, a statement of education and career goals and an outside appraisal by a teacher or adviser.