Meet the winners of the 2025 Linden Scholarship
Six bright young Minnesota students have earned money for college through The Salvation Army’s annual Linden Scholarship fund.
This year’s winners are majoring in nursing, engineering, finance, and other admirable disciplines. All of the students volunteer regularly and are up-and-coming leaders.
The Linden Scholarship was established in the mid-1970s by St. Paul native Pearl H. Linden and her two sisters, who left The Salvation Army $250,000 to help college-bound students in need of financial aid. Linden asked that the scholarships be awarded to students who demonstrate community spirit and high moral standards.
The one-time, non-renewable scholarship offers $3,000 for students pursuing a four-year degree and $1,500 for students in two-year programs.
“The Linden Scholarship demonstrates how estate planning can help create a lasting legacy that makes a difference in the lives of others,” said Paul Deakins, Executive Director of Development for The Salvation Army Northern Division.
Here are the winners of this year’s Linden Scholarships:
- Victoria Bourne from Elko New Market. Victoria will attend the University of North Dakota for a degree in Nursing.
- Isaac Johnston from Stillwater. Isaac will attend the Milwaukee School of Engineering for a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
- Alex Loes from Eagan. Alex will attend the University of St. Thomas for a degree in Finance.
- Calissa Newton from Cottage Grove. Calissa will attend the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities for a degree in Biomedical Engineering.
- Naomi Teklemariam from Rosemount. Naomi will attend the University of Notre Dame for a degree in Public Health.
- Hollen Thompson from St. Paul Park. Hollen will attend Edgewood College for a degree in Child Life.
Success story: Clara Jünemann
Linden Scholarships can have a life-changing impact on the students who receive them.
Such is the case for Clara Jünemann, a recent college graduate who received a Linden Scholarship during her undergraduate years at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. She graduated last spring with a 3.75 GPA (magna cum laude), earning a B.S. in Psychology with minors in Art and Fashion Studies.
“I am the first person in my family to attend school in the United States – an experience that has come with challenges and many new experiences,” Clara said.
With help from The Salvation Army’s Linden Scholarship, Clara overcame her challenges and achieved academic excellence. She has excelled in many other ways as well, such as:
- Became an EMT and worked for the collegiate EMS agency. She now works as an EMT for two medical agencies and is a field training officer.
- Served in Undergraduate Student Government for three years.
- Served as a teaching assistant for three classes.
- Played in campus orchestra.
- Learned Swedish and spent a summer studying abroad.
- Awarded the University of Minnesota President’s Student Leadership and Service Award in 2024 and 2025.
Clara is thankful for the opportunities The Salvation Army’s Linden Scholarship provided her.
“Thank you for your support during my undergraduate journey,” she wrote in a letter to The Salvation Army. “I would not have been able to pursue all of my passions and complete my undergraduate degree without your support.”
Please join The Salvation Army's mission of serving others by giving a donation or signing up to volunteer.