Preparing for the future
Jonathon Welch, Class of 2025
The road to education is never easy, especially when it comes with a large price tag. Jonathon Welch, Class of 2025, knew that he’d have to work hard to be able to afford to attend college. Between classes and work, he was worried about being able to keep up. For Jonathon, scholarships made all the difference.
“When you're taking five classes a semester, it's hard to work a job on top of that," explained Jonathon. “I was actually able to apply for scholarships at Grand Valley before I even got accepted to some other schools. That was a big game changer for me.”
As a recipient of the Thompson Working Family Scholarship, Jonathon was able to make the choice to attend college without worrying about debt.
“I know a lot of students that don't have scholarships that are struggling with loans, and that just makes me ever more thankful,” said Jonathon.
With the financial burden of college lifted, Jonathon can dedicate himself to his legal studies degree. After graduation, he plans to first work as a paralegal to gain real-world experience. Then, he plans to attend law school and eventually open his own law firm.
“I was drawn to legal studies because it applies to my own life,” said Jonathon. “It’s been very interesting and helpful to learn about property and taxes and other interesting lessons.”
Outside of the classroom, Jonathon is able to take the time to discover his passions at Grand Valley. This semester, he joined a law society which will connect him with other students and professors who will act as mentors. He is also involved with the ski team and boxing club on campus.
While he’s enjoying his independence, Jonathon is also incredibly grateful to be a part of such a supportive community and is constantly looking for ways to give back. Through his scholarship, he’s volunteered at Family Network and Meals on Wheels.
“I’m required to do 10 hours of community service every semester, but it's a very educational experience getting out and volunteering,” said Jonathon. “You learn a lot from the people that you volunteer with and the people that you help.”
Scholarships enabled Jonathon to start school at Grand Valley, but ultimately it is the community that motivates him to stay and succeed. Everyone at Grand Valley wants to help each other, and Jonathon is extremely grateful that scholarship donors welcomed him into the supportive community.
“I'd just like to say to any potential donors that gifts made to scholarships really helps out students,” said Jonathon. “We really appreciate it.”