Duluth Scholarships & Awards

Paul M. Anderson Fellowship in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Professor Paul M. Anderson is recognized internationally for his research on the comparative enzymology and metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds and was one of the original faculty when the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus was established. This fellowship is awarded to a graduate student by the Department of Biomedical Sciences.

Basic Science and Clinical Teacher of the Year Awards

The $500 Basic Science and Clinical Teacher of the Year Awards recognize superior teaching at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus. The recipients are chosen by second-year class vote.

Mary L. and Arthur C. Aufderheide, M.D., Scholarship

This scholarship was created with gifts from Dr. Arthur C. and Mary Aufderheide and many people who wanted to honor them when Dr. Aufderheide retired in 2008. He was among the charter faculty of the Duluth campus as a professor of pathology for more than 35 years. During his career, he began studying disease patterns in mummies, an interest that would take him and Mary around the world as one of the world’s first experts in paleopathology.

Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center Scholarship

The scholarship fund was created to support and encourage students from Marshall, Minnesota, and the surrounding counties to pursue their medical education. The Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center is a full-service hospital, skilled nursing long-term care facility, emergency care center, home, and community-based services agency, and outpatient services center.

Dr. Nellie N. Barsness Scholarship

The scholarship was established by bequest from a trust of Dr. Harry N. Simmonds, Class of 1943, who wished to honor the memory of Dr. Barsness, Class of 1902, by awarding the scholarship to outstanding female students.

Dr. Frederic and Christine L. Becker Scholarship

The scholarship was established by Dr. Frederic Becker, Class of 1934, and his wife, Christine, in appreciation for his experience at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus.

James Boulger, Ph.D., Endowed Scholarship

In late 2009, alumni class leaders led an appeal to all Duluth alumni to honor Jim Boulger, Ph.D., one of the longest tenured, influential, and endeared faculty members of the Duluth campus. Dr. Boulger believed that everyone attending the Duluth campus was special. He represents the spirit of the school's mission: to inspire students to serve rural Minnesota as family doctors.

James Boulger Jr. and Stephanie K. Carlson, M.D., Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Stephanie K. Carlson, M.D., Class of 1994, in honor of James Boulger, Jr. who became an inspirational friend to her when she attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and the Duluth campus of the Medical School. Jim has a form of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Dr. Carlson gives the scholarship to honor his positivity and courageousness.

Kenneth Eben Bray, M.D., and Florence Little Bray Scholarship

Dr. Kenneth and Florence Bray recognized the need for family physicians in rural communities and wanted a scholarship to be their family legacy of serving others through medicine. After medical school graduation in 1934, Dr. Bray practiced in Park Rapids, MN.

Buechner Scholarships

The Buechner Native and African American Women Scholarship and the School of Medicine Buechner Female Scholarship were established by Esther Timm Buechner, a University of Minnesota, Twin Cities graduate, and her sister, Dorothy Timm, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Both sisters were strong supporters of Medical School scholarships and research opportunities for female students. This scholarship is established through the University of Minnesota Foundation.

Scott Burns Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship honors the memory of Dr. Scott D. Burns, a member of the Medical School Class of 1978, who matriculated at University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus in 1974.

Robert E. and Lota A. Carter Scholarship

The scholarship honors Dr. Robert E. Carter and his wife, Lota “Chris” Ahrens Carter. Dr. Carter, who died in 1998, was the founding dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus and was a 1946 graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Dr. George M. and Anita Cowan Scholarship

The scholarship honors Dr. George M. and Anita Cowan. Dr. Cowan, Medical School Class of 1936, practiced in Duluth.

Dean’s Scholarship

The scholarships are funded by multiple donors who have pooled their contributions to provide renewable recruitment scholarships to entering medical students.

Duluth Medical Legends and Leaders Scholarship

The scholarship was established to support students of the Duluth campus and honor the many leaders who established the school, including charter faculty and staff, community leaders, founding physicians, and deans.

Duluth Medical School Alumni and Friends Scholarship

The scholarship was established by the collective generosity of many University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus alumni, faculty, and friends.

Duluth Medical School Recruitment Fund

This fund provides scholarship support to students attending the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus.

John J. Dwyer, M.D., Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship is provided by Northstar Physicians Foundation in memory of Dr. John J. Dwyer – a family doctor who practiced in Duluth from the early 1950s until his retirement. Dr. Dwyer started Northstar Physicians in order to serve patients and assist independent clinics with the business of medicine. Scholarships are awarded to students who are interested in a rural family practice and who best exemplify the finest qualities of a family physician – respect for people, dignity, warmth, and compassion.

Nancy I. English, M.D., Memorial Scholarship

Nancy I. English, M.D., was an Alumna of the University of Minnesota Medical School and medical leader in Duluth. This scholarship was created to honor her memory and is awarded to students at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus. The recipient should be a non-traditional female who has worked in another career before applying to medical school or has an interest in family medicine and a demonstrated record of dedication to community service.

Edgeler Emergency Fund

In memory of Bob and Betty Edgeler, this scholarship is awarded to medical students enrolled on the Duluth campus who identify their need for emergency funds to the Dean of Students.

Nancy I. English, M.D., Memorial Scholarship

Dr. English, Class of 1992, was a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, mentor, and social worker before she became a physician. In 2008 at age 57, she passed away suddenly of natural causes. Her family established this scholarship to be awarded primarily to a nontraditional female student, like Nancy.

Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship honors the memory of Dr. Tom Fitzgerald and is awarded to medical students and visiting investigator expenses.

Founding Faculty Scholarship

The scholarship honors the commitment of the founders of the University of Minnesota Duluth’s School of Medicine and members of the first entering class in 1972. This fund provides scholarships for Duluth campus medical students with demonstrated financial need.

Gabriel’s Gift Scholarship

The scholarship was established by Dr. Gail E. Baldwin, an alumna of the University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth, campus, in memory of her son.

Barry Greimann Scholarship

The scholarship was established with gifts from classmates, faculty, family, and friends in 1984 to honor Barry Greimann, a student of the Duluth campus who died of cancer in 1981.

Dr. Edwin Haller Memorial Scholarship

Among the charter faculty of the Duluth campus, Edwin Haller, Ph.D. was a strong advocate for creating programs that would attract Native American students. When he died in 2007, his spouse Irina asked that gifts be given to the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus to support Native American students with financial need.

Oluf and Margaret Haugsrud Endowed Scholarship

The scholarship honors the memory of Oluf and Margaret Haugsrud of Duluth. It is given to students from northern Minnesota and serves as a lasting tribute to the value the Haugsrud’s placed on education.

James Russell Hunt Award

This award honors James Russell Hunt and is awarded to a Native American medical student who is dedicated to the health of Native American people.

Lalli Scholarship

The scholarship honors Elmer and Joyce Lalli’s memory of their daughter, Dr. Susan Lalli Streitz, and their commitment to their daughter’s education.

Dr. Herbert G. Lampson Award

This award honors Dr. Herbert G. Lampson and is awarded to a second-year female medical student who has made outstanding contributions to her class.

Laird W. and Mary C. Lampson Award

This award honors Laird W. and Mary C. Lampson and is awarded to a second-year male medical student who has made outstanding contributions to his class.

T. John Leppi Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship is created through the thoughtful generosity of the friends, family, and colleagues of Dr. Leppi, who in 1971, established the Department of Biomedical Anatomy at the Duluth campus. Among the school's charter faculty, he served as professor and chairman through 1989 and also developed continuing anatomy education courses for other disciplines, such as lawyers and nurses.

Janet M. Lindquist, M.D., Endowed Scholarship

The scholarship benefits students enrolled at the University of Minnesota Medical School, with a strong preference for students planning to practice surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, or pediatrics in a rural community. This endowment reflects the thoughtfulness and generosity of Dr. Janet M. Lindquist and serves as a lasting tribute to her commitment to rural medicine.

Medical School Duluth Student Service Award

Given to students who have given their time and talent to benefit members of their community.

Minnesota Medical Association Foundation Scholarship

The MMA Foundation awards a scholarship to students entering medical school on the Duluth campus who were raised in rural Minnesota, or are members of a medically underserved ethnic or cultural group in Minnesota, and who stated their interest in practicing medicine in a rural or urban underserved community in Minnesota.

Dr. Lyle Munneke Scholarship

The scholarship was established by the Family Practice Medical Center–Willmar to honor Dr. Lyle Munneke. Among his many achievements, Dr. Munneke was involved in the creation of the Minnesota Center for Rural Health and establishment of the Minnesota Rural Health Cooperative.

Michael G. Neste, M.D., Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2010 by Dr. Michael Neste, Class of 1993, an interventional cardiologist who deeply appreciated the education he received in Duluth. He specified that his gift is awarded to a medical student in Duluth who completed their undergraduate work at a public college such as the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Willis E. and Emma E. O’Connor Scholarship

The scholarship was established by Emma E. O’Connor through the Willis E. and Emma E. O’Connor Charitable Foundation to confirm the continuing interest she and her husband have in northeastern Minnesota.

Eva Victoria Olson, R.N., Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Norman Olson created this scholarship in memory of his mother Eva Victoria Olson, R.N., who cared for people living in poverty including Native Americans. This scholarship is awarded to a student studying on the Duluth campus of the University of Minnesota Medical School who has demonstrated interest in practicing primary care medicine in rural Minnesota with preference given to Native American students.

Ben and Jeanne Overman Charitable Trust Medical Scholarship

The scholarship is funded annually by the Ben and Jeanne Overman Charitable Trust.

Benjamin P. Owens, M.D., Endowed Scholarship

Established in 2010 by the Range Medical Society, this scholarship honors Dr. Ben Owens’s 48-years of full-time practice in Hibbing and is awarded to a student from the Iron Range who intends to practice family medicine. Dr. Owens also was a preceptor to many medical students.

Hugo R. Paulson, M.D., Scholarship

The scholarship gratefully recognizes the education Dr. Paulson received as an undergraduate of the University’s Duluth campus and recognizes Dr. Raymond Darland who influenced the academic career and lives of so many students. The scholarship also recognizes student excellence and commitment to quality healthcare and honors their personal sacrifice.

Dr. John H. Peterson Scholarship

The scholarship was established by Linda A. Peterson to honor the memory of her father, Dr. John H. Peterson.

Dr. Reino Puumala Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship is presented as an award to a second-year student who most embodies the spirit, attitude, and personal characteristics of the ideal family physician, based on a vote of the clinical faculty who evaluate the class. Dr. Ricard Puumala established an endowed fund as the source of this award in memory of his father, Dr. Reino Puumala, who passed away in 1977 after serving the community of Cloquet, MN for many years.

Dr. Roy Rasmussen Scholarship

Dr. Roy P. Rasmussen is a 1958 graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School. This scholarship is awarded annually to students who demonstrate financial need with preference given to non-traditional students.

John George Ross Scholarship

The scholarship was established by John George Ross to assist students who attend the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus.

Dr. Richard G. Rowe, M.D., Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Lizette Lawien, trustee of the Jack and Mary Rowe Charitable Trust, to honor the work and memory of her uncle. Dr. Rowe, Class of 1960, was a clinic physician at the University of Minnesota-Duluth Health Service and was passionate about serving Canadian Indian reservations as a self-supporting medical missionary.

School of Medicine Duluth Faculty/Staff Scholarship

A mission-based scholarship, the School of Medicine Duluth Faculty/Staff Scholarship is awarded to students in an effort to recruit and retain high ability students. The recipient of the scholarship should excel academically and show intent on fulfilling the school’s mission

Dr. Gregory H. Schuchard Scholarship

The scholarship was established by Dr. Gregory Schuchard, an alumnus of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus, in appreciation for the education and opportunities he experienced as a result of his medical school experiences.

Troy Allan Sikkink Memorial Scholarship

The fund was created in honor and memory of Troy Allan Sikkink, who lost his life before finishing medical school and becoming a surgeon. He attended the University of Minnesota Medical School in Duluth and in the Twin Cities. His degree was awarded in a special posthumous presentation in 2003 and accepted by his wife and son.

Dr. Marilou Sollom Scholarship

The fund provides scholarships annually to first and second-year medical students on the Duluth campus. This fund honors Dr. Marilou Sollom, a physician and beloved wife and mother who attended the University of Minnesota Medical School in Duluth.

Patricia R. Streitz Scholarship Fund

Patricia R. Streitz held high regard for education and focused on the importance of education both personally and professionally. Patricia and her husband, John Streitz, M.D., played an integral role in the establishment of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus. Her husband created this scholarship in her memory and it is awarded annually to students at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus.

St. Luke’s Scholarship

The scholarship was established by Duluth’s first hospital, St. Luke’s, to honor its long, beneficial relationship with the University of Minnesota Medical School–Duluth Campus.

Dr. Edward L. Tuohy Medical Scholarship

This scholarship is a gift from the Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation. Alice Tweed Tuohy donated her late husband, George Tweed’s, significant art collection to the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Alice established this medical school scholarship to honor the memory of her second husband, Dr. Edward L. Tuohy.

Conrad I. Karleen and Ruth V. Karleen Scholarship

The scholarship was established by the Conrad I. Karleen and Ruth V. Karleen Charitable Trust in appreciation for the emphasis the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus places on family practice in rural areas.

Harold and Rhea Walder Scholarship

The scholarship honors the memory of Harold and Rhea Walder.

Geoffrey A. Witrak, M.D. and William D. Witrak M.D. Scholarship for Student Success

In honor of Geoffrey A Witrak, M.D., and William D. Witrak, M.D., this scholarship was established by their mother, Ruth Witrak. The scholarship is awarded to students on the Duluth campus who demonstrate high academic achievement and are interested in practicing rural medicine.

Dr. Matthew J. and Helen Weir Scholarship

The scholarship was established by Dr. Matthew J. Weir as an expression of his interest in assisting medical students with financial needs to meet their educational expenses at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus.

Cathy and Rick Ziegler Endowed Scholarship for Student Recruitment

The fund reflects the thoughtfulness and generosity of Dr. Richard Ziegler and his late wife, Catherine Ann Ziegler, and serves as a lasting tribute to the value they place on education. Dr. Ziegler joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota, Duluth campus, as a professor of microbiology and immunology in 1971 and served as the dean from 1998 through 2006.

Scott D. and Susan D. Augustine Biomedical Engineering Research Fellowship

The fellowship recognizes outstanding students pursuing an M.S. in biomedical engineering through the University of Minnesota Graduate School and are also pursuing or have already received their M.D. degree.

Memorial Award

The Memorial Award recognizes an outstanding second-year medical student on the Duluth campus who has shown kindness and generosity to others.