The Board of Regents and Administration of North Central University are pleased to announce Bethany Malsam, daughter of Andrew and Jennifer Malsam of Brandon, South Dakota, as recipient of the 2018 Regent’s Scholarship.
The Regent’s Scholarship is a full-tuition, four-year scholarship awarded to an entering freshman based on superior academic performance, references, and a written essay.
Malsam’s education included home-schooling until eighth grade, prior to entering Brandon Public Schools. As a student at Brandon Valley High School, she has been very involved in student clubs while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and number-one class rank. She is passionate about music, plays the tenor saxophone in concert band and jazz band, and was a four-year member of the marching band color guard.
School and church accomplishments
In addition to her musical activities, Malsam was involved in a competition culinary team, National Honor Society, the South Dakota American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program, and the Empower Youth Leadership Program sponsored by Sioux Valley Energy.
Malsam participated in a school-sponsored opportunity to travel to Ireland and Scotland, raising the entire cost of the trip by herself through odd jobs in her community. “Raising the money to travel taught me the value of persistence and dedication in the real world,” Malsam said, “and the trip helped me understand how to appreciate everything I have and have worked for.”
Growing up in the Brandon Valley Assembly of God Church, Malsam has been involved in ministry and volunteering most of her life, participating actively in nursery ministry, Missionettes, youth group, mission trips, and fine arts. She’s participated in Assemblies of God Fine Arts Festivals since sixth grade.
North Central’s Director of Admissions Bethany Harshbarger expressed enthusiasm about Malsam’s selection for this honor. “Bethany brings well-rounded experience that includes strong academics, extracurricular involvement, and passion for her faith. She is a wonderful example of the type of student who will thrive at North Central.”
Future ambitions
Malsam plans to pursue a degree in Media Communications at North Central. She has served as the technology and media intern at Brandon Valley Assembly, and this summer is volunteering at Assemblies of God summer camps in South Dakota as a videographer, recreation staff member, camp movie director, and lifeguard.
A campus visit last fall spurred Malsam to apply to North Central. “I met so many great people and I really felt God’s presence on campus,” she said. “NCU has a great location and I love the atmosphere of the school.”
Malsam expressed deep gratitude for the scholarship opportunity. “The students who receive the scholarships and donations are the future of the church,” she observed. “Donations have allowed both my sister and me to attend NCU, and for that I am so thankful!”
