The Bush Foundation has invested nearly $1 billion in myriad organizations and individuals over the past 65 years. 

Over that time, the programs at the core of the Foundation have evolved through multiple iterations. 

The prestigious Bush Fellowship is no exception. Since it was first awarded in 1965, Bush Fellows have included artists, government leaders, entrepreneurs, educators and more. One constant, however, is the Foundation’s belief in the power of people to make great ideas happen in their communities. And that is the crux of the Bush Fellowship today: personal leadership growth and development. 

Through these Q&As, you’ll get a glimpse into the thousands of individuals whose lives — and communities — have been touched by the Bush Fellowship.

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David Simondet

Simondet (BF’78) dove deeper into crime prevention techniques and focused on gaining the skills to ensure law enforcement truly served their communities.

Mary Rockcastle

Rockcastle (BF’83) was teaching part-time at the University of Minnesota and working on her first novel when she became a Bush Fellow.

Kevin Kling

Kling’s (BF’88, ’03) voice has been heard by many.

Thomas Stenvig

Stenvig (BF’93) applied for the Bush Fellowship with the goal of earning a Ph.D. and enter the world of academia.

Sunil Karnawat

Life doesn’t always go as planned, but for Karnawat (BF’98), he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lee Ann Roripaugh

With the time the Bush Fellowship provided her, Roripaugh (BF’03) was truly able to challenge herself as an artist and teacher.

Mauricio Arango

To artist Arango (BF’08) the Bush Fellowship meant time to explore new techniques, to travel, to research, to find new means of expression.

Carlos Mariani Rosa

When Mariani Rosa (BF’13) applied for a Bush Fellowship, he was in the middle of his career as a Minnesota state representative and as the executive director of a nonprofit.