In 1994, four students—Scott Brady, Daniel Hallberg, Elise Ketelaar, and Bradley Poore—died in a car accident on their way back to campus from a concert. Inspired to create a legacy in memory of these students, family and friends created an endowed scholarship that would go to students who demonstrated the qualities of those who had been lost—community spirit, creativity, quiet leadership, and respect for the Earth.
Named the Brady-Hallberg-Ketelaar-Poore Scholarship, this fund has helped twenty-six students over the last twenty-four years. With consistent contributions, the scholarship fund has grown to over $100,000 and provides financial support to one-to-two students each year.
Bert and Marty Brady, the parents of Scott, give to the fund every year. “We continue to give to the scholarship fund in part because Scott always wanted to help others. Although Scott was on campus for a very short time, we knew Northland was the right place for him. The size, curriculum, and location of Northland provide an atmosphere of service to students and the greater community. We feel very strongly that it is important for small colleges with strong programs to survive and having scholarship funds are important for these colleges,” Bert and Marty said in an email correspondence.
They continued, “If Scott were alive today, he would be very proud to be an alum of Northland and would be very happy with the progress that the College has made over these past twenty-five years. Northland has managed to survive during a period of struggle for many schools their size. This is a compliment to the dedicated members of the staff and faculty and their devotion to their students and the environment. It has been most rewarding to receive thank you letters of appreciation from the recipients of the scholarship.”
Alex Johnson ‘08, who studied writing, was the co-editor of Mosaic and participated in men’s cross country, received the scholarship in 2006-2007. In a letter, reflecting on his time at Northland College and in Ashland, he wrote in a thank you letter to the parents of Scott, Dan, Elise, and Brad.
“I’ve learned so much living and growing as a person here at Northland, but more than anything else, I’ve realized that it is the personal relationships that make my life full. I am surrounded by dynamic, passionate, and beautiful people and I am a better person for them. Thank you for allowing me to live and learn in this place, like your children before me.”
