Molly Tynjala recently graduated with a major in English and a minor in political science. Driven to learn more about her heritage, she began taking Finnish classes as a sophomore and discovered a deep appreciation for Finnish language and culture. The Finnish Connection Scholarship she received allowed her to explore the country firsthand. “The support of donors means the world to me,” she says. “It illustrates to me that other people still have hope for the future and have faith that young people will achieve remarkable things.”

Abigail Bauer is pursuing a German, Scandinavian, Dutch major and a minor in Swedish. Reflecting on a previous trip to Europe, she explains that “learning abroad makes real the history you learn in the classroom” because it creates a personal, tangible connection. She adds that learning abroad aids in personal development by helping you gain “new confidence to explore other places and their cultures,” and looks forward to returning to Germany this summer.

The Hella Mears fellowship strives to uphold the mission of the late Minnesotan philanthropist who had a special dedication to the preservation of German and European research and education in the state. Read on to discover how the Mears fellowship engages the communities of Minnesota through classroom visits, field days, and other innovative initiatives.

Kiley Kost, Kalani Michell, Nichole Neuman, and Meagan Tripp have accepted academic positions starting in Fall 2019.