Concordia Awards Scholarships

Oct 11, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Roger Degerman, Senior Director for Communications and Marketing
(218) 299-3645
Amy Kelly, Media Relations director
(218) 299-3642 akelly@cord.edu
FAX: (218) 299-3646

Concordia College Awards Two Families $385,000 in Scholarships as part of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” Project.

Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., is providing $385,000 in tuition scholarship packages to two Moorhead families. The gifts are in conjunction with an ABC Television “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” project completed on Oct. 9, 2010.

The Bill and Adair Grommesh family will receive two, four-year, full-tuition Concordia scholarships today valued at $225,000 for their two children Garrett (9) and Peighton (11). The Izja and Valdette Hajdari family will receive a four-year scholarship package valued at $160,000 for their four children: Argentina (12), Arlinda (9), Vjollea (8), and Shkurte (3).

Concordia has pledged its ongoing support to help the six children prepare for their transition to college. ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” built the Grommesh family a new house on the site of their previous home located just a mile from Concordia’s campus. Bill and Adair Grommesh are well known for founding HOPE Inc. and leading volunteer efforts to serve families with disabilities. Their children both have health challenges. Garrett Grommesh was born with spina bifida. Peighton has a pancreatic enzyme deficiency known as Axenfeld-Reiger’s syndrome.

“Bill and Adair Grommesh’s founding of HOPE Inc. is an inspiring example of the impact individuals can make by sharing their gifts with the community,” said Dr. Paul Dovre, interim president of Concordia College. “As a college whose mission is to prepare responsible leaders for the world, Concordia is honored to provide the Grommesh family with these scholarships. “

The Hajdari family now lives in what used to be the Grommesh house, which was moved to north Moorhead and renovated by the ABC “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” team. The Hajdaris came to the United States as refugees from war-torn Kosovo. Their family was doing well until Izja was injured in a forklift accident that crushed his leg. Unable to do the physical labor of his previous work, Izja now works as a greeter at Wal-Mart. The family of six has been living in a two-bedroom apartment. Concordia was grateful for the unexpected opportunity to help a second family in the community.

“It is truly a privilege to help meet the educational needs of two special families,” Dovre said “We are eager to welcome these six young people to the Concordia campus community.”    
 
Leadership and service are integral to Concordia’s globally focused curriculum. From building homes through one of the largest collegiate chapters of Habitat for Humanity, to conducting scientific research on global illnesses and tutoring New Americans, Concordia students reach out to those in need.

A private, four-year liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Concordia offers an extensive global education program, state-of-the-art science curriculum and a learning environment that fosters a partnership between intellect and faith. A third of Concordia students participate in one or more of 17 award-winning music ensembles. The Emmy award-winning production of the 2009 Concordia Christmas Concert will be televised nationally on PBS in December.

Recognized with the Sen. Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization, Concordia typically ranks among the nation’s top 10 for number of students studying abroad. Graduates from Concordia have achieved an 88 percent acceptance rate into medical school and more than 90 percent of graduates who apply to law school are accepted. Concordia ranks in the top 15 percent nationally for number of graduates going on to earn doctorates. Students also have been honored with prestigious scholarships, including Fulbrights and NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships.

The Emmy award winning reality program “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” now in its 8th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It’s executive-produced Brady Connell and George Verschoor. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 8-9 p.m., ET on ABC.
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