cordahl_brenna_shimpa_amb-web.jpgLindsey Shimpa, a Mayville State University student from Grand Forks, N.D., has been awarded a North Dakota Fire Chiefs Association Scholarship in the amount of $500 for the 2015-2016 academic year. Lindsey is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology, with a minor in fitness and wellness. After completing her degree at Mayville State, she plans further her education and become a physical therapist, eventually specializing in pediatrics. Lindsey is a member of the Mayville State women’s basketball team and is a member of the leadership team for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She also plays in the CRU worship band.

Lindsey’s father, Tracy Shimpa, has been a volunteer firefighter for 18 years. He began volunteering for the Manvel (N.D.) Fire Department during the historic flood of 1997, and has been with the team since. He’s been a Sunday School teacher for 20 years and has been heavily involved with volunteering for the Special Olympics since 1987.

Each year, the North Dakota Fire Chiefs Association offers scholarships at North Dakota colleges. To be eligible for the scholarship, the student recipient’s parent must be an active firefighter in the state of North Dakota, volunteer or full-time; and the student must have at least a 2.5 grade point average in the last scholastic year. The son or daughter of a deceased firefighter who was active in North Dakota at the time of death is also eligible. The financial aid committee or officer of the college or university makes the selection based on the eligibility requirements. This year, scholarships were awarded at Mayville State University, Dakota College at Bottineau, Bismarck State College, and North Dakota State University.

Photo caption: Pictured from left to right are Susan Cordahl, administrative assistant in the MSU financial aid office; Lee Brenna, Mayville, N.D. Fire & Rescue chief; Lindsey Shimpa, MSU student; and Jake Amb, Portland, N.D. fire chief. Brenna and Amb are presenting Shimpa a check for $500, a scholarship from the North Dakota Fire Chiefs Association.