Donald H. Wilkins
Don Wilkins graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1944 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. He then went on to receive his Masters and his PhD from the University of Illinois. After a long and successful career as a chemist, he retired in 1987.
Passionate about lifelong learning, Don enrolled as a non-traditional student and took computer courses here at CLC, while commuting here 2-3 times per week from Park Rapids for over 5 years. Don also tutored chemistry students here at CLC.
Don passed away in 2014 at the age of 87 years young. Recently, his son Mike established the Donald H. Wilkins Memorial Scholarship to be awarded to two outstanding Computer Technology students – one to a traditional student and the other for a non-traditional student, in honor of his dad’s love for lifelong learning and as an appreciation of what a special place CLC was to his father.
Impact
I just started my first semester at Central Lakes College for a degree in Computer Network Administration. I have had the passion for computers, technology and anything related to those ever since I was a young kid. I was raised around technology and games which I actually played with my father and brothers all the time! I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in the IT field but had never got around to actually doing so until recently. I’m beyond happy to have finally taken that step towards my career goals of working the IT field at any of my favorite gaming companies and now that I have received this wonderful scholarship, I can put even more time into my schoolwork without having to work nearly as much to make ends meet!
Thank you again for your investment in Central Lakes College and students like myself. Upon receiving this reward, it has given me even more motivation to put even more effort into my schoolwork come next semester!!
Dillon Stettler
Central Lakes College