Richard and Cheri Martin

Richard and Cheri Martin were both first generation college graduates from small graduating classes in North Dakota and Minnesota. Both came from families below the poverty line. Rich was challenged by the culture shock of leaving a community knowing everybody in town to knowing four people on the NDSU campus when he arrived. He struggled academically initially as he developed the academic study habits needed. He graduated from NDSU with a chemistry degree which was used as the foundation to enter medical school elsewhere. “Keep your options open” and “Be willing to consider unexpected opportunities” were important live style concepts learned. NDSU provided the academic opportunity and personal growth space needed to achieve goals he didn’t know he had as a small-town farm kid.
Coming out of high school, Cheri had the opportunity to initially go to tech school to be a dental assistant. After she and Rich were married, she chose to return to school including NDSU resulting in a BS degree in Communication Disorders from another university.
Rich and Cheri would like you, the recipient of this scholarship, to use it to become aware of what makes you curious. You have “Academic Horsepower” or you would not have received this scholarship. When your study and your vocation is based on what makes you curious, you have the opportunity to be happy while you improve society as a whole.