Kruse Scholars

The Communities of Excellence Scholarship was established by Lowell and Leslie Kruse in the spring of 2011 with students at the University of Minnesota, and in 2014 expanded to Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD. 47 students are either engaged currently in the Scholarship experience or participated prior to their graduation.

During the 11/2 to 2 year-long scholarship experience, Kruse Scholars engage with Communities of Excellence through educational activities and projects designed to add value to student learning and orient them to the skills needed as future leaders to improve the performance of the communities they will live in. The Kruse Scholar experience is grounded in the Baldrige Principles of Performance Excellence.

In establishing the Kruse Scholarship,  Lowell and Leslie stated, "Over the years the Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework has had an enormous impact on improving the performance of organizations from all sectors of our economy.  Communities of Excellence 2026 believes it holds the potential to improve the performance of entire communities and ultimately influence the overall success of our country. It's very important that students have exposure to this approach and thought process as they prepare to enter their chosen careers and a lifetime of community leadership."

We've asked each of the past and current Kruse Scholars to share their thoughts on community leadership, performance excellence, and how their experience as a Kruse Scholar has or may influence their careers.  Read their stories....

University of Minnesota

Advisor: Elizabeth Wegele

Class of 2025

Class of 2024

Advisor: Helen Parsons

Class of 2023

Class of 2022

Advisor: Heidi Mastrud

Class of 2021

Class of 2020

Class of 2019

Class of 2018

Class of 2017

Class of 2016

Class of 2015

Advisor: Maggie Aftahi

Class of 2014

Class of 2013

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Augustana University

Advisor: Ryan Sougstad, PhD

Class of 2017

Class of 2016