Jeff Baenen Creates Housing Scholarship for Perpich Student
For Jeff Baenen, a lifelong love of the arts has taken many forms: journalism, theater, music, comedy, and even playing the voice of God.
Now, that passion is helping make a Perpich education more accessible to a student living on campus.
Baenen, a retired Associated Press journalist, has established the Jeff Baenen Scholarship, a $1,000 housing scholarship for a Perpich student living in the school’s dorm. The scholarship is intended to help remove financial barriers associated with living on campus while attending Perpich.
Jeff Baenen (right) visits the Perpich campus on July 27, 2026 to meet with Allegra Smisek, Perpich Executive Director (left)
“I want to remove financial barriers for a student pursuing their dreams in the arts,” Baenen said. “This scholarship at Perpich is an important first step.”
Baenen’s connection to the arts goes back to his childhood in Jamestown, North Dakota. His first acting role at St. John’s Academy was the voice of God in a production about Adam and Eve.
“I hid behind the teacher’s desk and kicked Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden,” he recalled.
His love of the arts continued throughout his career. While working as a reporter for The Associated Press, Baenen said he always enjoyed covering arts and entertainment. He also played piano and organ throughout high school and later wrote, produced, and cast a two-person play about actors Marlon Brando and Wally Cox for the 2006 Minnesota Fringe Festival.
Jeff Baenen (right) with Christian Baenen (left)
Baenen was familiar with Perpich’s reputation as a school deeply immersed in the arts, even though he had never visited the school before. His own connection to the arts continued well beyond childhood; he later conducted a Warren Zevon camp at Rock Camp Experience in St. Louis Park. His son, Christian, attended Wayzata High School, which has a strong theater program.
His support for Perpich is part of a larger effort to help the next generation. He has also established a Broadcast Journalism Scholarship at Minnesota State University Moorhead, his alma mater, where he studied mass communications and gained experience in student journalism, radio, and theater.
“I want to do good with money I have inherited,” Baenen said.
For Baenen, the scholarship at Perpich is just the beginning. If the first year goes well, he said he may establish a continuing scholarship at Perpich.
Baenen’s generosity also highlights the difference that housing support can make for students who choose to live on campus. It can open the door to the full Perpich experience, allowing young creatives to pursue the work they love. Those interested in supporting Perpich residential students can make a gift through GiveMN.org or contact Executive Director Allegra Smisek to discuss creating a scholarship or other opportunities to support students. Every contribution makes a real difference for a student today.
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