Eagan Foundation

Gopher Resource Funds STEM Scholarships Through Eagan Foundation

For 34 years, Gopher Resource has sponsored scholarships to high school graduates who reside in or attend school in Eagan, MN, through the Eagan Foundation. Scholarships are sponsored by businesses, organizations, family foundations, and nonprofits. Gopher Resource's scholarship focus is supporting students in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or environmental disciplines who show strong community involvement.

The 2025 recipients of the Gopher Resource scholarships are Mia Werden from Eagan High School and Anthony Matos from St. Thomas Academy. Mia is planning to study at the University of Minnesota. She loves playing viola and clarinet, as well as spending time outdoors. Anthony is planning to attend the University of Notre Dame. He enjoys playing sports and board games. Gopher Resource congratulates Mia and Anthony and wishes them well as they begin their college educations. 

Gopher Resource is also a sponsor of the Eagan Foundation and their annual fundraiser, A Taste of the Eagan Foundation. Proceeds are used to fund the Foundation’s initiatives throughout the year, including collaborative action to meet community needs. The Foundation has awarded over $3 million to over 2,500 Eagan students through college scholarships and over $220,000 in local initiatives and community grants. In 2025, the Foundation awarded over $144,750 in scholarships to 119 students from various financial, academic, cultural and athletic backgrounds. 

Previous Gopher Resource Scholarship recipients include:

• 2024 - Dhanya Arulprakasam and Jennifer Doan from Eagan High School. 
• 2023 - Marguerite Kocon and Clare Willson from Trinity School at River Ridge. Marguerite is planning to study mathematics at Hillsdale College. She loves everything outdoors and sports. Clare is planning to study biomedical engineering at the University of St. Thomas. In Claire's free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, singing, and being active. 
• 2022 - Timothy Tu from Eagan High School and Jordan Sundheim from Eastview High School. Timothy is planning to study computer science at the University of MN. He enjoys cooking, playing the clarinet, powerlifting and reading. Jordan is planning to study agriculture, food and natural resources at the University of Missouri. Jordan enjoys playing the guitar and fishing. 
• 2021 - Prapthi Jayesh Sirrkay and Joseph Miller. Prapthi is planning to study biology at the University of MN. Her favorite class in school was Anatomy and Physiology. Joseph is planning to study mechanical engineering at Michigan Technological University. Joseph enjoys 3D printing for his robotics team and has participated in robotics for 10 years. 
• 2020 - Erik Iverson from Trinity School of River Ridge and Kurt Ohlhues from Eagan High School. Erik is planning to study at the University of St. Thomas. His talents and hobbies include programming, tennis and running. Her favorite class in high school was Humane Letters. Kurt is planning to study Biology in college. Kurt's talents and hobbies include playing sports, especially basketball. His favorite class in high school was Biology. 
• 2019 - AnneMarie Bittner (pictured) from Trinity School of River Ridge and Grace Hansen from Eagan High School. AnneMarie is planning to study Computer Engineering at the University of St. Thomas. Her talents and hobbies include photography, music, sports and outdoor activities. Her favorite class in high school was Humane Letters. Grace is planning to study Mechanical Engineering in college. Grace's talents and hobbies include programming, soccer, public speaking and reading. Her favorite class in high school was Mobile Application Development. 
• 2018 - Savannah Willard from Trinity School of River Ridge and Adam Harrold from Eagan High School. Savannah planned to study Wildlife Biology and Classics at Hillsdale College. Her talents and/or hobbies include writing and reciting poetry, taking walks in nature, rollerblading, running, swimming, and grabbing coffee with friends. Adam planned to study Physics and Computer Science at Northwestern University. Adam’s talents and/or hobbies include playing seven different instruments, singing, acting, playing ultimate frisbee, Boy Scouts, and leading various academic organizations.
• 2017 - Mackenzie Thelen and Shayla Luck from Eagan High School. Mackenzie planned to study Environmental Studies and French at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Her talents and/or hobbies include singing, dancing, acting, writing, public speaking, and sewing. Shayla planned to attend Montana State University. Shayla’s talents and/or hobbies include volunteering at the human society, eating healthy, running, and engaging in community work.
• 2016 - Akin Campbell from Eagan High School. Akin planned to study Computer Science. His talents and/or hobbies include programming and a little-known fact is that he created his own app.
• 2015 - Sydney Ward from Eagan High School. Sydney planned to attend the University of Minnesota to study Biology. One of her favorite high school memories was when the National Art Honor Society helped make buttons with special needs students in Wildcat connection.  
• 2014 - Scott Fisk from Eagan High School. Scott planned to attend Iowa State University, studying computer engineering. Some of his hobbies include Web development/design, programming electronics, science and piano.