The Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association is proud to recognize an Albert Lea student with one of eight 2014 MAPA Scholarships.

Kelsey Behnke of Albert Lea was presented with the scholarship. She is majoring in business and political science.

This is the first MAPA Scholarship program for MAPA and its members that will be presented annually to deserving post-high school students.

Applications were rated based on career goals, essay, employment, extracurricular activities and scholastic achievement.

“Recent statistics show that 70 percent of all students graduating from four-year colleges have student loan debt,” Jill Thomas, executive director of MAPA, said. “According to a government data analysis, the class of 2014 graduated with the largest debt in history. These scholarships were created in an effort to help alleviate that burden to the next generation.”

MAPA raised funds for its scholarship program through an annual golf event, which is supported by the 130 member companies of MAPA. The event raised $22,500. MAPA represents the asphalt pavement industry in Minnesota through active education and research programs, as well as by working with Minnesota Department of Transportation and other stakeholders to ensure that Minnesota’s asphalt roads are among the best in the nation.