Medical Laboratory Science students receive scholarships for 2017–2018

June 30, 2017

GRAND FORKS, N.D.—The University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences awarded scholarships to medical laboratory science students at the school. Funds for the scholarships are given from various private sources, endowments and scholarship funds.

Scholarships for 2017–2018

Leah Runyan, Minot, N.D., received the Jean Holland Saumur Hematology Award for achieving the highest grade in hematology in the fall semester of 2016.

Jean Holland Saumur was the program director of the UND Medical Technology Program for over thirty years and retired in 1985. This award was established in Jean's honor to recognize the dedication, service and significant contributions she had given to the University for over forty years. Jean passed away in April of 2011.
Tiffany Belgarde, Belcourt, N.D., and Alicia Gibson, Mayville, N.D., each received the Ralph and Hazel Rohde Medical Technology Scholarship Award, which is given each year to UND senior medical laboratory science students who have shown academic excellence.

Ralph and Hazel Rohdes' children had a strong interest in medical science. Two of their sons graduated with degrees in medicine, and their daughter and granddaughter graduated from UND with degrees in medical technology. The Rohdes established a Medical Scholarship Endowment in appreciation for the opportunities that were provided to their children and grandchildren. Ralph died in the 1980s and Hazel died in 1999.

Danielle Germundson, Williston, N.D., received the Miltza Luper Scholarship Award, which is given each year to a UND medical laboratory science student who demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in the subject of biochemistry and molecular biology.

Ms. Luper was an assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry in charge of the Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) Program during the years 1955–1981. This award is given yearly to the outstanding medical laboratory science student in the undergraduate Biochemistry 301 course. The scholarship is supported by income from an endowment given by various graduates of UND in honor of Miltza Luper.
Carrie Nienhuis, Lawton, N.D., received the Dr. Cyril J. Dillenburg Memorial Medical Scholarship, which is given annually to a full-time senior medical laboratory science student at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Cyril Dillenburg, M.D., was the medical director of the University of North Dakota Medical Technology Program until his death in 1984. He was a friend and teacher of numerous students during this period. An award was started by his colleagues and friends to aid deserving medical technology and medical laboratory science students.
Carrie Nienhuis, Lawton, N.D., received the Eileen Simonson Nelson Pathology Award. This award goes to the medical laboratory science student who receives the highest grade in the M.L.S. 101 course in the fall semester of 2016.

Eileen Simonson Nelson received her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, cum laude, from the University of North Dakota in 1955. Eileen began her career at the Department of Pathology in 1956. Eileen served many roles in the department, including assistant professor, histopathology lab chief technologist, education coordinator of the Histotechnology Program, and acting director of the Medical Technology Program. She taught the CLS 101/MLS 101 course for many years and was the major advisor of the undergraduate students in the Medical Technology Program during that time. She was also very active in service work for her profession, having served as president and on many committees of the North Dakota Society for Medical Technology. She also was coeditor of the newsletter for the NDSMT. She did much service work for UND, including serving as an advisor to the Medical Technology Club. Eileen retired in 1994. Eileen still lives in Grand Forks.
Robbie Diehl, Devils Lake, N.D., received the Janice Schuh-Horysh M.L.S. Scholarship Award. This award goes to a senior medical laboratory science student, with preference given to students from Nelson County, North Dakota. Janice Schuh grew up in Lakota, N.D., and earned her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology degree from UND in 1968. She worked as a medical technologist in Grand Forks and Wisconsin before working at Altru Health System in Grand Forks for nearly 40 years until her retirement in 2011.
Brandon Orcutt, Bowman, N.D., received the Janice and Clifford ď Autremont M.L.S. Scholarship award. Janice and Clifford ď Autremont of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, have established the scholarship in their name for an academically eligible student pursuing a degree in Medical Laboratory Science at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

Dahlton Bell, Farmington, Minn.; Gosa Dadi, Grand Forks, N.D.; and Kyle Williamson, Blooming Prairie, Minn., each received the Marcia and Gary Anderson M.L.S. Scholarship Award. Marcia Anderson, the daughter of Ralph and Hazel Rohde, was a graduate of the UND Medical Technology Program now called the Medical Laboratory Science Program. Her husband Gary established the scholarship to give to a deserving student pursuing a career in medical laboratory science.

Danielle Germundson, Williston, N.D., and Kristina Adams, Grand Forks, N.D., received the Mary Coleman Scholarship Award. Mary Coleman, a faculty member in the UND Medical Laboratory Science Program, established the scholarship award to give to a deserving senior student pursuing a career in medical laboratory science.

Jennifer Baukol, Grand Forks, N.D., received the Eleanor Ratcliffe Scholarship Award. This award is given each year to seniors in medical laboratory science who have shown academic excellence.

Jacob M. Tupa, Larimore, N.D., and Caitlin Hoffart, Devils Lake, N.D.; each received the David and Linnea Veeder M.L.S. Scholarship Award. Linnea Veeder was a graduate of the UND Medical Technology Program now called the Medical Laboratory Science Program. She and her husband David established the scholarship to give to a deserving student entering UND as a freshman and interested in a career in medical laboratory science.

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Denis F. MacLeod
Assistant Director, Office of Alumni and Community Relations
University of North Dakota
School of Medicine & Health Sciences
1301 N Columbia Rd, Stop 9037 | Room W103 | Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037
701.777.2733 direct | 218.779.3107 cell
denis.macleod@UND.edu
www.med.UND.edu