The Impact on Students

Determination helped overcome family tragedy

When Eric Sodergren was in third grade, his life changed forever.

"I came home from school one day, and I found my mother," Sodergren says. "She had passed away from congestive heart failure while she was taking a nap. I had to call my dad and give him the news."

The unexpected death shook the little family to its core. "My dad struggled financially," Sodergren says. "Somehow he incurred lots of debt, and over the years it built up and up." Then, the unthinkable happened. When Sodergren was a junior in high school, his father died of a heart attack.

Determined to create a successful future, Sodergren moved in with his older half-sister and graduated at the top of his class. College was next, but he needed a carefully calibrated combination of student loans and scholarship support.

Sodergren set his sights high—on the Carlson School of Management. Armed with a stellar high school record, he landed two highly sought-after scholarships and a part-time job that made up the financial difference.

Sodergren hopes to make a career in the financial-services industry. Until then, he’s focusing on his studies, maintaining a 3.5 average. "I wish my parents could see what I’m doing," Sodergren says. "I know they’d be proud."

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