What would Saint John’s University have missed out on had Jack Grabinski not decided to enroll here?
Well, to start out with, a whole lot of success on the diving board.
The junior from Sauk Rapids-Rice (Minnesota) High School is already a two-time All-American who very likely would have already had two appearances at the NCAA Division III national meet under his belt had that competition not had to be cancelled the past two seasons due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (he had already qualified for nationals before the pandemic’s onset as a freshman during the 2019-20 season).
Jack is one of the best athletes I’ve had the pleasure of working with,” SJU head swimming and diving coach Ben Gill said. “He works hard every day, but keeps everything in perspective. He has a laid back personality but a competitive edge like no one I’ve met before.”
Then there is his academic success.
Grabinski maintains an exceptionally high GPA and has been named a College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American the past two seasons. In addition, the double-major in biology and environmental studies works on the school’s grounds crew and has volunteered for Outdoor U/Abbey Conservation Corps.
He is also part of Full Circle Greenhouse, a student-run group that grows and sells vegetables to students.
But what would Grabinski have missed if he had been unable to enroll at Saint John’s?
“There’s the community feel that everybody talks about here, but it’s true,” he said. “Everyone is so welcoming and you do feel like you’re a part of something.
“But there’s also the outdoor setting with the Arboretum which is perfect for me. I had a class that looked at how people impact different ecological systems. And Saint John’s has a prairie restoration project right on campus. So you have the perfect lab right here. I wouldn’t have had those kinds of experiences had I gone someplace else.”
Fortunately, because of scholarships, he didn’t have to.
Grabinski receives the Gary Youso Scholarship, the Coborn Family Scholarship, the Eldon Siehl Memorial Scholarship, a Trustees’ Scholarship and a Legacy Scholarship.
“Scholarships made it possible for me to be here,” he said. “I loved Saint John’s. But I wasn’t sure about the price. At the end of the day, though, I was amazed that - with the assistance I received – it was more affordable here than any other place I looked.
“Scholarships made the difference.”
And for that, he is grateful.
“I would say thank you to everyone who donates (to the scholarship fund),” he said. “They make it possible for myself and so many other students to be here. I’m so appreciative of everything they do.”
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