SMHS awards Medical Laboratory Science scholarships for 2019
GRAND FORKS, N.D.—The Department of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences has awarded scholarships to several medical laboratory science students for the upcoming academic year. Funds for the scholarships are given from various private sources, endowments, and scholarship funds. Scholarship winners for the 2019-2020 academic year include:
Marcia and Gary Anderson MLS Scholarship Award - Nicole Cielinski, St. Cloud, Minn.,
Aerielle Capes, Fertile, Minn., and Rachel Davis, Oak Park, Ill.
Marcia Anderson, the daughter of scholarship donors 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.
Janice and Clifford d’Autremont Scholarship Award - Sarah Burns, Fargo, N.D.
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 &
Health Sciences, with preference given to students from the Oakes, N.D., area.
Dr. Cyril J. Dillenburg Memorial Medical Scholarship - Megan Bryn, Fertile, Minn.,
and Grand Forks, N.D.
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. The scholarship
is given annually to a full-time senior medical laboratory science student completing
clinical rotations at Altru Health System in Grand Forks, N.D.
Jean Holland Saumur Award - Rachel Knutson, Minneota, Minn.
Jean Holland Saumur was the program director of the UND Medical Technology program
for over thirty years, retiring 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 2011. The Jean Holland
Saumur Hematology Award is given to the student for achieving the highest grade in
hematology in the fall semester.
Janice Schuh-Horysh MLS Scholarship Award - Kayla McCreary, Grand Forks, N.D.
The Janice Schuh-Horysh award goes to a senior medical laboratory science student,
with preference given to students from Nelson County, N.D. 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.
Duane and Judy Lee Scholarship Award - Mika Bordak, Buffalo, Minn., and Jadyn Koppenhaver,
Plymouth, Minn.
Judy Lee graduated from the MLS program when it was known as the Medical Technology
program. She worked in a clinic and hospital in Wahpeton, N.D., before moving to West
Fargo, N.D., where she has been active in state politics. She has served in the North
Dakota Legislature since 1994 and on the ND Senate Human Services committee since
1995, having been chair since 2001. The Duane and Judy Lee Scholarship award is given
to a student earning a degree in medical laboratory science at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences.
Miltza (Mitzi) Luper Biochemistry Award - Rachel Knutson, Minneota, Minn.
Ms. Luper was an assistant professor in the Biochemistry Department in charge of the
Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) student training from 1955–1981. The
scholarship is supported by income from an endowment given by various graduates of
UND in honor of Miltza Luper. The award is given each year to a UND medical laboratory
science student who demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in the subject of biochemistry
and molecular biology.
Eileen Simonson Nelson Scholarship Award - Megan Bryn, Fertile, Minn., and Grand Forks,
N.D.
Eileen Simonson Nelson received her Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology,
cum laude, from the University of North Dakota in 1955. Eileen began her career in
UND’s 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
of and on many committees for 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. Eileen still lives in Grand Forks. The award goes to the medical laboratory
science student who receives the highest grade in the MLS 101 course.
The Ralph and Hazel Rohde Award - Joan Lin, Grand Forks, N.D., and Meghan Hintz, Grand
Forks, N.D.
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 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.
Mary Stanghelle Coleman MLS Scholarship Award - Rachel Knutson, Minneota, Minn., and
Sarah Burns, Fargo, N.D.
Mary Stanghelle Coleman, a faculty member in the UND Medical Laboratory Science program
and active member of ASCLS established the scholarship award to give to a deserving
senior student pursuing a career in medical laboratory science.
David and Linnea Veeder MLS Scholarship - Triana Anderson, Grand Forks, N.D., Briana
Ashworth, Dickinson, N.D., Elise Jacobson, Hillsboro, N.D., and Hannah Stewart, West
Fargo, N.D.
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
for a deserving student entering UND as a freshman who is interested in a career in
medical laboratory science. Preference is given to students from McIntosh County,
N.D., with a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Non-UND Awards:
Alpha Mu Tau Fraternity and Education and Research Fund Scholarships - Rachel Knutson,
Minneota, Minn., Sarah Burns, Fargo, N.D., and Alexa Gathman, Devils Lake, N.D.
Alpha Mu Tau is a national fraternity whose purpose is the advancement of professionals
in the clinical laboratory sciences. One of the prime activities of the fraternity
is the granting of graduate and undergraduate scholarships for clinical laboratory
science students. Applicants for scholarships must be ASCLS members.
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Brian James Schill
Assistant Director, Office of Alumni & Community Relations
University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences
701.777.2733 direct | 701.777.4305 office
brian.schill@med.und.edu | med.und.edu