Gavin Kestner has a football contest to thank for funding his education. The freshman from Bemidji, Minnesota, took home the $100,000 first prize in a recent Dr Pepper Tuition Toss program.
“Winning the Dr Pepper Tuition Toss was such a surreal moment for me,” Kestner said. “I'm just incredibly grateful for all my friends and family and all their support. I'm so thankful for Dr Pepper because I can focus on my degree and not have to worry about the financial stresses of college.”
A Tri-College University student, Kestner is a member of the Gold Star Marching Band and a research assistant for Jeremy Straub, NDSU assistant professor of computer science. Straub also is director of the NDSU Institute for Cyber Security Education and a faculty fellow in the Challey Institute.
Kestner plans to transfer to NDSU as a full-time student for spring semester and major in computer science. “I'm super excited to join the cyber security club and meet students,” Kestner said. “Along with that I'm excited for research and internship opportunities offered at NDSU.”
Kestner won his cash prize during halftime of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game on Dec. 3. In the competition, contestants are given 30 seconds to toss as many footballs as possible through holes in giant Dr Pepper cans.
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