UND Occupational Therapy students receive scholarships for 2025-26 academic year

GRAND FORKS, N.D.—The Department of Occupational Therapy (OT) at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) has awarded scholarships to several students for the upcoming academic year. Funds for the scholarships are given from various private sources, endowments, and scholarship funds.

"UND’s Occupational Therapy Department is incredibly grateful to our generous donors who make scholarships like these possible for our students,” said Mandy Meyer, Ph.D., associate professor and OT student scholarship committee chair. “Donor support helps to alleviate the financial burden of higher education and empower the next generation of compassionate and skilled occupational therapists. We thank our donors for investing in the future of healthcare and are excited to be able to support our students in this way.”

Scholarship winners for the 2025-26 academic year include:

• The Jody Spencer and Dave Dornacker Scholarship - Payton Bauman, Waconia, Minn.
• Kriegel and Gorter Family Occupational Health Student Scholarship - Kiana Benson, Tracy, Minn., and Hailey Hoffman, Alexandria, Minn.
• The Katherine Bangsund Occupational Therapy Scholarship - Julia Borrmann, Thornton, Colo., and Katie Quinley, Gibson City, Ill.
• John and Jo-Ann Jedlicka Occupational Therapy Scholarship - Jatin Cranmore, Laramie, Wyo., and Hannah Street, Crookston, Minn.
• The Audrey Crum Occupational Therapy Scholarship - Abigale Ellenberger, Castle Rock, Colo.
• Matt and Katrin Hjalmarson Scholarship - Morgan Harshman, Casper, Wyo.; Jalen Taylor, Foreston, Minn.; Izabella Kent, Brandon, Minn.; and Joslyn Nordmark, Bottineau, N.D.
• The Wesley Hoffman Memorial Occupational Therapy Scholarship - Taylor Illg, Glyndon, Minn., and Shaiah Lunday, Belcourt, N.D.
• Amy Lind Occupational Therapy Scholarship - Kearyn Nelsen, Leeds, N.D.
• Gail Shimer Bass Occupational Therapy Scholarship - Sara Scott, Severance, Colo.
• Occupational Therapy Alumni Scholarship - Ariel Tix, Solway, Minn.

Established in 1954, the UND Department of Occupational Therapy was the state’s first OT program. Home to North Dakota’s only occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) degree, the multiprofessional program has produced more than 2,100 health professionals practicing OT in a variety of settings, from pediatric and geriatric OT to neurological, inpatient, and return-to-work outpatient therapy for workers of all types.

“We are so grateful for the generous support we receive from our alumni,” said Sarah Nielsen, Ph.D., O.T.R./L., FAOTA, chair of UND’s Department of Occupational Therapy. “These gifts are not just scholarships – they’re an investment in the future. I know our students are incredibly grateful for alumni support.”

“Congratulations to the Department of Occupational Therapy scholarship recipients, all of whom are dedicated to providing exceptional healthcare and service,” added David Relling, P.T., Ph.D., associate dean for health sciences at the SMHS. “And a heartfelt thanks to our generous donors for your unwavering support and belief in our students.”

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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