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Patrick Denne Scholarship Available to Rural Water Members

The North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association’s (NDRWSA) scholarship program is open to any student who themselves, their parents or legal guardians receive their water from a rural water system in North Dakota. The scholarship can be used toward tuition, books, room, and board at an accredited institution of higher learning that is approved by the NDRWSA. A selection committee evaluates applicants and selects the scholarship recipient based on academic performance, career goals, extracurricular activities, leadership, financial need, and an essay on a predetermined topic.

For more information on the scholarship or to contribute to the scholarship, contact NDRWSA. The deadline to apply is January 31 each year.

Remembering Patrick Denne

Many people involved with rural water in North Dakota at one time or another came into contact with Patrick Denne. For 20 years, he served as the water Circuit Rider for the North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association, and his travels amounted to about 750,000 miles to every corner of the state.

His mission was to provide technical assistance to drinking water systems in North Dakota. His dedicated service was evident in his willingness to provide that assistance anywhere or anytime it was needed. Oftentimes, this took him away from home on weekends and for many days at a time if necessary, but it also allowed him to witness the incredible growth of rural water systems as few others in North Dakota did.

Denne died peacefully, at his home in West Fargo surrounded by family, on April 4, 2004 following a short, but courageous battle with cancer. He was 53 years old. The NDRWSA strives to keep his memory alive through the Patrick Denne Memorial Scholarship.

Scholarship Application (pdf)