NW Missouri Times

Gina Gruhn, an alumna of Northwest Missouri State University, has recently established a scholarship in honor of her mother, Karen Gruhn. Gina recalls her time at the university fondly, highlighting the friendships, career opportunities, and professional network it provided. She describes Northwest as her "home away from home" and credits it with sparking her interest in international business, which began in a course taught by Dr. Sharon Browning.

After graduating in 1993, Gina moved into the real estate banking sector and later focused on healthcare, specifically pharmacy benefits. Her career has involved leading teams, managing corporate strategies, and working internationally in business insurance. Gina attributes her career trajectory to the foundation laid during her time at Northwest.

Gina and her husband, Randy Hurley, have donated $28,000 to establish the Karen Gruhn Scholarship. It aims to support first-generation students from Iowa or Missouri majoring in art or criminology at Northwest. Karen Gruhn, Gina's mother, passed away in 2023. Known for her dedication to service, Karen was among the first women to graduate from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and served with the Iowa Capitol Police. Her belief in the importance of education was a driving force behind the scholarship’s creation.

Gina hopes the scholarship will inspire recipients to be active within the Northwest community and to seek volunteer opportunities, in line with her mother’s values. Gina herself is involved in various community organizations and serves on the Northwest Foundation Board and Advisory Board. She encourages other alumni to consider establishing scholarships or making donations to support the university and its students.

The Karen Gruhn Scholarship fund remains open for further contributions. Interested individuals can contact the Northwest Foundation for more information.