Swenson Memorial Scholarship

A 2025 PEM High School graduate, was recently presented with a $1,500 Cpl. Curtis M. Swenson Memorial scholarship.

Nolan Welke was presented the scholarship, named for Swenson, a Marine from Rochester who was killed in an attack in 2010 in Afghanistan.

The Swenson scholarships are given to students living in Wabasha, Olmsted, Winona, Goodhue, Dodge, Mower, Fillmore and Houston counties.

According to the Plainview News, qualifying students must be a current senior or former student within those counties who plans on or will attend a two or four year undergraduate school, trade, or vocational school.

The students must write a paper regarding their family’s military history, focusing on how the military has impacted their life.

Welke will attend the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, to study business and play baseball.