By Allison Conner
Published 12:55 pm on February 19, 2026
Megan Nicholls was 5 years old when she viewed her premature sister through a pane of glass at the neonatal intensive care unit.
Nicholls became a fixture at that window. While she looked on, nurses would roll the incubator a little closer to the glass and lift the shade so she could see her sister’s face. Nicholls watched them take Taylor's temperature, change her clothes, and adjust the wires.
Then, months later, she was finally allowed inside.
“I vividly remember what really helped me decide on becoming a doctor was when I got to hold my sister for the first time,” Nicholls said. “I knew in that moment that medicine was definitely what I wanted to pursue.”
That early moment did not fade from her memory; it became her direction.
“I want to be able to give that back to families who are going through complicated medical things and really care for the entire person,” said Nicholls, a Bemidji State University senior from Ham Lake majoring in biology. “BSU has really fostered my ability to understand that there is a need for rural doctors and how important it is to make connections with people, especially in small towns.”
That 5-year-old looking in from the outside is now closer than ever to standing inside the room as a pediatric doctor. Nicholls is pursuing her childhood dream at Bemidji State because scholarship support made it possible. And today, Feb. 19, donors have the opportunity to empower students like Nicholls through Day of Giving — allowing future leaders to turn their passions into lifelong advocacy.
You can give today by clicking the button below or by visiting bsualumni.org/dayofgiving.
A path within reach
Because of donor support, Nicholls added an additional semester to pursue undergraduate research that complements her degree and prepares her for graduate school.
Instead of being stretched thin by having to work more hours off campus, Nicholls pursued minors in psychology and biochemistry to attain a more cohesive understanding of both the scientific and human sides of medicine.
"The scholarships I received have helped immensely," she said. “They allow me to be a real part of the student body, to be engaged in the hockey cheerleading program and visit with friends, without the constant burden of wondering how I'll pay for the next semester."
Nicholls also followed the legacy of her father, a two-time national champion with the BSU men’s hockey team, to the hockey arena. But she stepped onto the ice in her own way.
Hockey cheerleading became central to her college experience. Three months into her first year, she was named captain. Soon after, a wave of graduates left the team with only two cheerleaders on the frontline.
On game nights, the rink still filled. Alumni came home. Families wore green. Fans cheered on Beaver Hockey while the public address announcer’s voice rang through the arena and the pep band’s anthems echoed on.
Even though the cheerleading roster was small, Nicholls still had a strong vision. She invested in her squad by recruiting and organizing until the program was rebuilt to full capacity. She regularly receives praise from alumni cheerleaders and other schools recognizing their revitalized team.
She is even cheered on by Taylor, now a high school sophomore and a competitive figure skater herself.
Those same virtues Nicholls was able to strengthen as captain through persistence and leadership extend beyond the ice. And her passion for rural medicine in underserved communities is what carries her forward. She wants to practice medicine to continue giving back and strengthening communities in places like Bemidji.
"Getting into medical school is a long process, and it’s not easy," she said. “I really appreciate the donors because their support makes such a big difference. Even a small amount helps — with books, with taking an extra class, maybe trying a different minor — and that’s what helps you figure out your path and fulfill your goals.”
