Benjamin Abbott is 2017 Sanders Scholarship Recipient

Monday, June 05, 2017

Mankato West High School senior Benjamin Abbott was selected from 45 applicants as the 2017 J. Scott Sanders M.D. Memorial Scholarship winner.

The Mankato Clinic Foundation awards the $2,000 scholarship annually in remembrance of Dr. J. Scott Sanders. In May 2006, the Mankato Clinic lost Dr. Sanders, one of its most beloved physician’s, pulmonologists and critical care specialists after a courageous battle with cancer. Dr. Sanders’ character was renowned in all aspects of his life, which resulted in an unforgettable and life-long impact on others.

The scholarship committee chose Abbott for his essay titled “A win for integrity.” Per scholarship rules, high school senior applicants are to write about how character has been important to achieving their accomplishments to date, how it will be a key cornerstone of their future and how they recognize character in others.

In his winning essay, Abbott wrote about his experience on the robotics team and how the team gave up a state championship title after realizing a judges scoring error would have had the team incorrectly placing first. 

Abbott is the son of Greg Abbott and Kathy Vos. He will be attending South Dakota State University in the fall.

Dr. Sanders’ wife, Barb, presents Benjamin Abbott with the 2017 J. Scott Sanders MD Memorial Scholarship award on May 12.