Moorhead, Minn.-- The NCAA awarded 56 post-graduate scholarships to fall 2004 sports athletes across all divisions. Only two institutions were honored with more than a single selection for the $7,500 scholarships. Duke University had two recipients; Concordia College had three honorees: Jordan Talge, Moorhead; Jessica Walden, Hawley, Minn.; and Nick Myran Kenyon, Minn.

Talge earned acclaim as a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy recognizing the NCAA III football player of the year. He concluded his college career with a semester in Washington, D.C., interning for Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman. He will now continue his work for Sen. Coleman as a legislative correspondent dealing with agriculture and trade issues. Ultimately, he plans to attend law school and perhaps run for a political office.

Walden is a First Team Academic All-American and MIAC MVP in volleyball. The biology honor student benefited from her internship with Eyecare Associates of Fargo. She will attend Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Ore.

Myran ran his way to glory by qualifying for nationals in cross-country. His preparation for graduate school included participation in a Concordia Centennial Scholars research project with associate math professor Dr. Doug Anderson. Myran foresees a career in statistical analysis.

All three have contributed so much to Concordia and they, in turn, recognize what their college experience has done for them.

"Whether it's winning an MIAC football championship or preparing to land a career in the field of your choice, Concordia has shown that daring to work toward your dreams pays off," Talge says.