Intertribal Life Newspaper -

BEMIDJI, MN—A gift by retired biology teachers Dr. Darby and Geri Nelson to Bemidji State University’s Imagine Tomorrow campaign is intended to help American Indian students overcome financial obstacles, the BSU Foundation announced.

Awards of $100 to $750 will be made from the new Helping Hands (Naadamaageng) Student Assistance Fund to enable native students to overcome a short-term money crunch that might otherwise force them to drop out.

The Nelsons, who live in Champlin, said they are extending their wide-ranging philanthropy to Bemidji State because of a strong belief in...