Foundation stories

Greta Schauer – Building Confidence and Paying It Forward

September 8, 2026

As we approach September 2nd—what would have been the 100th birthday of Armond Hauge, —we continue to reflect on the incredible ripple effect of his generosity across the Denfeld community.

Today, we are excited to feature Greta Schauer, a 2022 Denfeld High School graduate who used the confidence and support provided by the Hauge Scholarship to excel in engineering, step into key campus leadership roles, and build a career designing the infrastructure of tomorrow.

Finding Confidence in Believing Voices

Transitioning into a demanding technical program like engineering can feel daunting. For Greta, receiving the Hauge Scholarship provided far more than financial assistance—it served as a powerful vote of confidence in her potential.

“Receiving the Hauge Scholarship helped me find confidence in my academic abilities by showing that people believed in me and wanted to support my educational journey,” Greta shares.

With that belief backing her, Greta attended Purdue University, where she spent four years tackling one of the most rigorous STEM disciplines available, ultimately graduating with distinction with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

A Commitment to Leadership and Service

Inspired by the support she received from the Greater Denfeld Foundation, Greta felt a strong pull to give back to her own collegiate community. During her time at Purdue, she sought out leadership opportunities that allowed her to mentor and guide fellow students.

She served as a teaching assistant, welcomed incoming students as a freshman orientation leader, and grew into the role of design lead for Purdue’s famous Concrete Canoe team.

“With support from the Hauge Scholarship, I felt inspired to make the most of my studies in college,” Greta reflects. “By receiving the Hauge Scholarship, I felt eager to give back to other college students at my university, and I hope that my efforts made a difference to other students’ academic journeys, just as the Hauge Scholarship did for mine.”

Seeing the Ripple Effect Across Duluth

For Greta, the true weight of Armond Hauge’s legacy became clear when she looked around at her own peers and classmates from Denfeld High School.

“I realized that the Hauge Scholarship was making a difference when I saw how many of my fellow classmates were given the chance to pursue their dreams of higher education with the help from this scholarship,” says Greta. “Many of whom have since graduated and found careers in their respective fields of study!”

Today, Greta is putting her degree to work as a professional Civil Engineer in Chicago, helping design and strengthen structural civil projects for her clients while staying rooted in the values of service and community that began back home in Duluth.

Are You a Hauge Scholar? Share Your Story!

Armond Hauge’s quiet dedication created a foundation that continues to support hundreds of Denfeld graduates as they pursue meaningful careers and give back to their communities. As we mark his 100th birthday milestone, we want to highlight your path as well.

If you or someone you know was supported by the Hauge Scholarship, please consider completing our Hauge Scholarship Reconnect Form to share how it impacted your educational and professional journey.

Check out additional Hauge Scholars stories celebrating this important milestone!