UND Medical Laboratory Science students receive scholarships for 2018-2019
The Department of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) at the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences has awarded scholarships to several medical laboratory science students. Funds for the scholarships are given from various private sources, endowments, and scholarship funds.
Scholarship winners for the 2018-2019 academic year include:
- Carley Rortvedt, West Fargo, N.D., received the Jean Holland Saumur Hematology Award
for achieving the highest grade in hematology in the fall semester of 2017.
- 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 gave to the University for over forty years. Jean passed away in April 2011.
- Alex Decker, Grand Forks, N.D., 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 in medicine, and their daughter and granddaughter graduated from UND in Medical Technology. The Rohdes family 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.
- Alexa Gathman, Devils Lake, N.D., received the Miltza Luper Scholarship Award, which
is given each year to a UND MLS student who demonstrated outstanding accomplishments
in biochemistry and molecular biology.
- Ms. Luper was an assistant professor in the biochemistry department in charge of the
medical technology (medical laboratory science) program during the years 1955–1981.
This award is given yearly to the outstanding MLS 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.
- Ms. Luper was an assistant professor in the biochemistry department in charge of the
medical technology (medical laboratory science) program during the years 1955–1981.
This award is given yearly to the outstanding MLS 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.
- Courtney Knudson, Larimore, N.D., received the Dr. Cyril J. Dillenburg Memorial Medical
Scholarship, which is given annually to a full-time senior MLS student at Altru Hospital
in Grand Forks.
- Cyril Dillenburg, MD, 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 MLS students.
- Courtney Knudson, Larimore, N.D., received the Janice Schuh-Horysh MLS Scholarship
Award. This award goes to a senior MLS 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.
- Mika Bordak, Grand Forks, N.D., and Buffalo, Minn., received the Eileen Simonson Nelson
Pathology Award. This award goes to the MLS student who receives the highest grade
in the MLS 101 course in the fall semester.
- 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. She 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 co-editor 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 and still lives in Grand Forks.
- Kirsten Schumacher, Fargo, N.D., received the Janice and Clifford d’Autremont MLS
Scholarship award.
- Janice and Clifford d’Autremont of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., 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 and Health Sciences. This award goes to a senior MLS student, with preference given to students from the Oakes, North Dakota, area.
- Peyton Mattson, Forest Lake, Minn., and Brandon Morehart, Hillsboro, N.D., each received
the Marcia and Gary Anderson MLS 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.
- Teresa McCowan, Grand Forks, N.D., and Dezi Hultin, Bismarck, N.D., received the Duane
and Judy Lee Scholarship Award.
- Judy Lee graduated from the MLS program when it was known as the medical technology program. The award is given to a student earning a degree in medical laboratory science at the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
- Alexa Gathman, Devils Lake, N.D., and Lillie Meduna, Dickinson, 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.
- Emily Christoferson, 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.
- Alexandra Rice, Bismarck, N.D., received the David and Linnea Veeder MLS 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.
- 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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Brian James Schill
Assistant Director, Office of Alumni and Community Relations
University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
701.777.2733 direct
brian.schill@med.und.edu | med.und.edu