Thursday, August 30, 2007
Like many high school students, Edward J. Fensholt took his ACT test twice. The first time he scored a 34, and on the second attempt he scored a perfect 36. But for Fensholt the two additional points turned out to be worth about $58,000.
Fensholt, an Olathe freshman, earned the University of Kansas Perfect Achievement Scholarship with his perfect score. The scholarship, established in 2004, covers various expenses for four years, including tuition, room and board in a residence hall and books. Fensholt, KU’s fourth recipient of the scholarship, said he prepared for the tests the same way each time.
“Both times all I did was help some of my friends study,” Fensholt said.
Even with such high ACT scores, Fensholt was said he was never that interested in attending an Ivy League school like Harvard or Yale.
“The campus and whole environment of Lawrence really appealed to me,” Fensholt said. “I always planned on going to KU.”
Fensholt is majoring in microbiology and said he had developed a fondness for one particular area of study.
“I’m really interested in science, specifically virology,” Fensholt said.
Fensholt helps conduct research on that topic at the Multicultural Resource Center, and in the future, Fensholt has two goals he wants to achieve.
“I’d like to continue on and get a PhD in microbiology, and then become a research scientist,” he said.
Matt Zimmerman, Olathe freshman, is Fensholt’s roommate. The two went to high school together, and Zimmerman said Fensholt had always treated others with respect.
“He’s a genuine great guy,” Zimmerman said. “He won’t, as smart as he is, make anyone feel stupid.”
Zimmerman added that Fensholt also knew there was a time for work and a time for play.
“He’s far from being a bookworm,” Zimmerman said. “He goes out and has fun. He’s not like in his books all the time.”
For fun, Fensholt enjoys playing golf and ultimate frisbee and hangs out with his friends. He will attend his first KU football game as a student on Saturday.
“I’m excited about that,” he said.
While Fensholt has only been on campus for a few weeks, KU has already made an impression on him.
“I absolutely love it,” he said. “This college thing is great.”
Fensholt is one of a string of family members who has attended the University. His father, Ed, was a journalism major and graduated with a law degree in 1984. His older brother Brian attended the University, and his younger sister Rebecca is also a freshman this year.
Fensholt’s father said that, for now, he wanted his son to enjoy college life and just be a kid. And when Edward enters the workforce, the family won’t measure his success in money. They will measure it in meaning.
“We just want him to be happy, enjoy what he’s doing,” his father said. “Whether he’s making $50,000 or $500,000, it doesn’t matter. As long as he gets up in the morning and enjoys what he’s doing.”
-Edited by Kyle Carter
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