UND Department of Medical Laboratory Science announces student scholarships for 2024-25
GRAND FORKS, N.D.—The Department of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, has awarded scholarships to several MLS students for this academic year. Funds for the scholarships are given from various private sources, endowments, and scholarship funds.
Scholarship winners for the 2024-25 academic year include:
Marcia and Gary Anderson MLS Scholarship Award – Eleanor Miller, Bismarck, N.D., Megan Dauksavage, East Grand Forks, Minn., Avery Otremba, Lakeville, Minn., Brooke Staigle, Grand Forks, N.D., and Abigail Meier, Bismarck, N.D.
Marcia Anderson, the daughter of scholarship donors Ralph and Hazel Rohde, was a graduate of the UND Medical Technology program, now the Department of Medical Laboratory Science. Her husband Gary established the scholarship to give to a deserving student pursuing a career in medical laboratory science. Marcia passed away in 2008, and Gary passed away in 2022.
Janice and Clifford d’Autremont Scholarship Award – Paige Bakke, Oakes, 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 – Lauren Steien, Grand Forks, N.D.
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 – Abbigail ( Mikah) Larson, Long Prairie, 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 – Maisy Lindseth, Grand Forks, N.D., and Cassidy Anderson, 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 degree in medical technology from UND in 1968. She worked as a medical technologist in Grand Forks and Wisconsin before working at Altru Health System in Grand Forks, N.D., for nearly 40 years until her retirement in 2011.
Eileen Simonson Nelson Scholarship Award – Torrey Westereng, 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 (NDSMT). 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 110 course.
Mary Noble Award – Megan Dauksavage, East Grand Forks, Minn., Taylor Davis, Dunseith, N.D., Sadie Haben, Prior Lake, Minn., Hannah Hermann, Grand Forks, N.D., Maya Orvis, Crosslake, Minn., and Paige Priewe, Amenia, N.D.
Mary Beth Noble was a graduate of UND’s Medical Technology program, today known as the Department of Medical Laboratory Science. Mary Beth worked everywhere from California to Cape Cod to Alabama and Kentucky, and finished her career at the Cavalier Clinic in Cavalier, N.D. Mary passed away September 2021 in Fargo, N.D. This award is given to students in undergraduate and graduate medical laboratory science routes of study.
Eleanor Ratcliffe Award – Sadie Haben, Prior Lake, Minn., and Lauren Steien, Grand Forks, 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.
The Ralph and Hazel Rohde Award – Taylor Davis, Dunseith, N.D.
Ralph and Hazel Rohde’s 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 Rohde 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.
Mary Stanghelle Coleman MLS Scholarship Award – Hannah Hermann, Grand Forks, N.D.
Mary Stanghelle Coleman, a faculty member in UND’s Department of Medical Laboratory Science and active member of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), established the scholarship award to give to a deserving senior student pursuing a career in medical laboratory science and active in the UND Medical Laboratory Science Club.
Linnea J. Veeder MLS Scholarship – Kylee Falk, Hankinson, N.D., and Leia Lauer, Bismarck, N.D.
Linnea Veeder was a graduate of the UND Medical Technology program, now the Department of Medical Laboratory Science. 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
Director, Office of Alumni & Community Relations
UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences
701.777.6048 direct | 701.777.4305 office
brian.schill@UND.edu | www.UND.edu