Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) students receive scholarships for 2020-21

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 2020-2021 academic year include:

Marcia and Gary Anderson MLS Scholarship Award – Morgan Kainz, Dickinson, N.D., and Meghan Gustafson, Annandale, Minn.

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 – Hannah Stewart, West Fargo, N.D., and Jacob Tupa, Larimore, 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 – Brianna Tetrault, East Grand Forks, Minn.

Cyril Dillenburg, M.D., was 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 – Brianna Tetrault, East Grand Forks, 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 – Mika Bordak, Buffalo, Minn., Grace Schneider, Vadnais Heights, Minn., Brianna Tetrault, East Grand Forks, Minn., and Jacob Tupa, Larimore, 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 – Elsa Promschmidt, Grand Forks, N.D.

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 – Jacob Tupa, Larimore, N.D.

Ms. Luper was an assistant professor in the Biochemistry Department in charge of 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 has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in the subject of biochemistry and molecular biology.

Eileen Simonson Nelson Scholarship Award – Elisa Kaitfors, Grand Forks, N.D., and Prairie City, S.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 and 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 – Catherine Tisi, 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.

Eleanor Ratcliffe Award – Grace Ramberg, Tioga, N.D.

This award is given each year to a Medical laboratory Science student who has shown academic excellence. No information is available on whom this person was or why this trust fund designated money to the Medical Laboratory Science scholarship program. The one stipulation was that the money be given to an undergraduate student.

Mary Stanghelle Coleman MLS Scholarship Award - Mika Bordak, Buffalo, Minn.

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 – Christina Greuel, Leonard, N.D., Coy Peterson, Des Lacs, N.D., and Katelyn Schons, 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.

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Brian James Schill
Interim Director
Office of Alumni and Community Relations
UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences
brian.schill@UND.edu | med.UND.edu
701.777.2733