The Beanie Toss: Meaningful Tradition for Students in Transition
You may recall the feelings you encountered tossing your beanie in the air as a freshman at Concordia College. The feeling of comradery with your classmates. The excitement of your first year of college and the freedom and opportunities it provides. As a member of our alumni family or friend of the college, you might be surprised to learn that the tradition of the Beanie Toss is as strong as ever both for first year Cobbers and another very important group of individuals on campus: our transfer students.
"I'm so thankful that Concordia has so many scholarships available to students like me...everyone here—faculty, staff, our alumni and students—just want you to succeed. It is a special place."
Transfer students who become Cobbers mid-year have their own Beanie Toss to mark the start of their academic careers at Concordia College and celebrate a choice they made that is a bit different from their peers.
One such student is Maya Woodwick. A River Falls, Wisconsin, native, Maya grew up in a family of Cobbers. Her parents, Daniel '88 and Kim (Pederson) '88 Woodwick, are active and loyal Concordia grads who serve as class agents, run and host alumni events, and mentor Concordia students. Maya's sister Elise also received her degree from the college in 2016 having studied international business and Chinese. Her family bleeds maroon and gold, so you'd think going to Concordia would be a forgone conclusion for Maya, a student interested in music and medicine. Not so much.
Maya at the transfer student Beanie Toss, front and center on the stairs.
"I wanted to do something different. I was looking for a private school that had a marching band. This was so important to me in high school and the opportunity to serve as drum major in college was the tipping point. Warmer weather didn't hurt Samford's case either," Maya says with a smile.
With her parents' full support, Maya started her freshman year at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. As Maya worked her way through classes and began on a high note developing relationships with students and faculty, she began to notice some issues that were concerning. With her sights set firmly on medical school, Maya had an important realization.
"As much as I thought music and the marching band was enough of a reason to choose Samford, I realized that the quality of my education is more important. After two semesters and having some straightforward conversations with my professors, I decided it was time to move on and I knew Concordia was the right fit. I had been on a tour of the Integrated Science Center and understood the strength of student/faculty relationships because of my sister's experience, so it was an easy decision."
Her parents were thrilled with this news. And for good reason. Now, after just completing her sophomore year at Concordia, Maya has already firmly planted herself as a scholar and leader on campus.
"It has been a crazy transition and year but really great. The liberal arts focus is helping me be better prepared for my medical school application and I'm taking classes I wouldn't normally take, like religion. It is good to take a class you aren't necessarily good at...it stretches and broadens you. I know I will take something away from that class long-term."
This summer, Maya has been working as a high school volunteer coordinator at United Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, cutting her teeth on the health care industry. She will take the MCAT next summer and plans to graduate in May 2021. Maya shared that one of the reasons she is able to stay on track with her academics is the scholarships she has received.
"For me, the scholarships have made Concordia affordable, which means that I will be able to go to medical school wherever I can get in and I will not be limited later due to immense debt from my undergrad. I'm so thankful that Concordia has so many scholarships available to students like me, because I don't know that I would be able to afford it without the financial help."
The financial assistance through endowed scholarships and faculty, along with several close friends Maya quickly made on campus, seem to have made the traditional Beanie Toss just one way in which Maya has transitioned beautifully to life as a Cobber.
Learn how to support students like Maya through endowed scholarships.
Maya (far right) with her family at Elise's wedding in Florida.
"My sister and parents were right—the faculty really do make the difference. They are so much more accessible and actually know your name. They share stories in class that help us make decisions about our future and I feel that they truly care about all of us, regardless of what path we are on or even if we don't know what path to take yet! Everyone here—faculty, staff, our alumni and students—just want you to succeed. It is a special place."
You can ensure the Beanie Toss tradition lives on and help more students like Maya achieve their dreams by including Concordia in your will or other estate plan.
Make a lasting impact by making a planned gift through your estate. There are many ways to make a lasting impact by making a planned gift through your estate. Contact Trina Hall at 218.299.3445 or [email protected] today, to learn more.