Scholarships

This scholarship was created by loyal alumni who graduated from Morris during the 1960’s. These alumni wanted to create a lasting legacy and give back to Morris for providing a unique experience and sound liberal arts education within the structure of a major public university.

Coach Mike and Dorothy Simpson established this scholarship in recognition of the 1970 Cougar Football Team and Cheerleaders. The Simpsons' legacy of leadership and friendship began at UMN Morris in the 1960’s and continued through the years. Mike and Dorothy established lifelong connections with coaches, athletes and cheerleaders. Coach Simpson led the Cougars as head coach from 1967 to 1971 with a 29-13-1 record.

This scholarship is funded by gifts from the sale of license plates through the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services Collegiate Plate program and is intended for Minnesota residents with a strong academic record.

The American Indian Salt Springs Award is presented to outstanding American Indian education students.

The Beta Sigma Psi fraternity was on campus from 1968 until 1985. It was Christian-based, and members were involved in a number of community and campus volunteer activities. In the early 90s, alumni from this former Morris fraternity established this scholarship. Preference is given to students who participate in volunteer activities.

Beverley Wartman Munson was a 1967 UMM elementary education alumna. The scholarship, for elementary education majors, was established in 1999 by her sister, Judy Wartman Schmidt Blair ’73, and husband, Michael Blair, in Beverley’s memory.

Shaped by her experiences at Morris, Maria Brun ’08 believes that, as we make our decisions, we must consider our role in and impact on the environment. By helping talented students obtain an education that combines environmental topics with a liberal arts education, Maria believes the next generation will be prepared to shape a more environmentally responsible future.

A scholarship made it possible for Carrie Wickstrom to complete her West Central School of Agriculture education in 1929 and go on to college to become a teacher. Based on academic merit and financial need, recipients of the scholarship she established are students pursuing licensure in education with preference given to those intending to teach at the elementary level.

The Mankato branch of CenterPoint Energy established this scholarship for students majoring in computer science or pre-engineering.

The late Minnesota State Senator Charlie A. Berg ’45 and his wife, the late Carol Lamb Berg ’45, were both alumni of the University of Minnesota West Central School of Agriculture (WCSA), as were many of their siblings. Lifelong residents of the west central region of Minnesota, Charlie and Carol had long felt attached to the land upon which UMM was built. After graduating, they maintained a connection to the campus and encouraged their children to do so as well. Recipients are relatives of WCSA or UMM alumni.

Clyde Johnson Music Scholarships honor Clyde Johnson, professor emeritus of music, who served UMN Morris from 1961 until 1999. Scholarships are awarded to selected University of Minnesota Morris students who are involved in music and completely cover the fees for one year of weekly individual music lessons in the student's chosen performance area. This scholarship is renewable for up to four years.

David C. Johnson served as UMM Chancellor from the fall of 1990 to the summer of 1998. This scholarship is to assist students in participating in service learning projects in other nations.

Based on the excellence of history coursework at Morris, this scholarship was established by colleagues, friends, family, and alumni in memory of Dimitra Giannuli, associate professor of history. She served Morris from 1992 until her death in 2003.

This scholarship was established by Dr. Jeanne Baker Driscoll ’69. Growing up on a farm south of Pipestone, Jeanne was guided to UMM by a high school counselor and an opportunity for a scholarship. She recalls both staff and professors at UMM who provided important opportunities for her. Establishment of the Discovery Scholarship was prompted by Jeanne’s desire to see other students have the kinds of opportunities she received while a student at UMM. This scholarship is awarded to students who study abroad or engage in undergraduate research.

This scholarship was established by Donald and Joann Munsterman. Originally from Holloway, Donald graduated from UMM in 1981 with a major in business economics. He credits his UMM education for preparing him to start and run a successful Morris business, Munsterman Accounting & Tax Service. Joann is a 1972 UMM alumna and two of their sons, Dr. Scott and Troy, also attended UMM. This scholarship is for nontraditional second, third, or fourth year students, preferably from the six-county area surrounding Morris: Stevens, Traverse, Pope, Swift, Grant, and Big Stone.

The family of longtime faculty members C. Frederick Farrell Jr. and the late Edith Rodgers Farrell established this scholarship in memory of Edith’s mother, Edna Snee Rodgers. This scholarship is awarded to nontraditional students.

Edward and Patricia LaFave, longtime Morris residents, were instrumental in the establishment of UMM, working tirelessly from the 1950s on to create, promote and sustain the high academic quality and strong enrollment critical to the success of the campus. They encouraged many students to attend UMM. Their scholarship provides support to nontraditional students.

The Elementary Education Alumni Scholarship is awarded to an Elementary Education student based on academic merit. This scholarship is made possible by collective gifts from UMM education alumni.

This scholarship was established by Denise Anderson ‘83 and Laura Newman ’88 to honor their parents. Emil and Lois consistently encouraged the educational aspirations of all of their children, with their two daughters graduating from the University of Minnesota Morris and their son attending the University of Minnesota. Denise and Laura feel that UMM’s environment, where student education is the top priority, allowed them to thrive. This scholarship is their way to perpetuate that in future generations.

Dr. Eric Crabtree ’96 knew from a young age that he was called to serve others. Through his Christian mission work, volunteerism, military service, and medical practice, Eric dedicated his life to others’ well-being and was respected for it. When he unexpectedly passed away in November 2015, his community honored him and his work by contributing to a memorial fund that represented who Eric was and, subsequently, the Eric C. Crabtree Memorial Scholarship was created. Recipients are students studying in the area of Pre-Med with a commitment to community service.

This scholarship was established by the late Dr. Ernest and his wife, Cathryn Kemble. Professor Kemble taught psychology at Morris from 1966 until his retirement in 1992. Cathy graduated from Morris in 1982 with a degree in elementary education, then went on to enjoy a career in that field until her retirement in 1995. By establishing this scholarship, the Kembles hope to financially support students as they pursue their educational goals.

This scholarship was created through the estate of Estelle Lundring Lee, a longtime resident of Morris and friend of the Morris campus. The scholarship assists those planning to teach in elementary, secondary, or higher education in obtaining a multi-cultural experience outside of Minnesota. It covers the course fee charged for students who go outside the sixty-mile service area for student teaching.

This scholarship was established by the late Leona Classen, a member of the UMM education faculty from 1970 until her retirement in 1985. She began her career as an educator in 1939 at a country school in Lac Qui Parle County and taught in elementary schools in Windom, New Ulm, Cincinnati, Fargo, and Chokio, where she also served as principal. This scholarship supports Elementary Education majors from west central Minnesota.

Education was an important privilege to James and Solveig; through their hard work, support, and love, their children had the opportunity to attend higher education even though it was not an opportunity for James and Solveig. The Dahls have five children and four attended the University of Minnesota Morris, along with two grandchildren. The Dahl children proudly established the James and Solveig Dahl Scholarship in memory and honor of their parents.

Established by Stephanie Carr ’94 along with her husband, David Valdovinos, and members of the Morris community, this scholarship honors the memory of Stephanie’s father, the late Loren Carr. Loren was a longtime Morris-area and west-central Minnesota business and community leader. In keeping with the values demonstrated by Loren W. Carr’s life, students will be selected on the basis of demonstrated leadership and community service.

One of four scholarships established by Edward Kaufman and the late Dorothybelle Kaufman of Appleton, Minnesota, in memory of their parents, the Kate McCoy Kaufman scholarship is awarded to a student majoring in elementary education. Students must have demonstrated academic excellence and potential in the field.

A scholarship to support educational opportunities for students who wish to enhance their UMM academic career through activities including but not limited to, internships, studying abroad, community-engaged learning (formerly known as service learning) and undergraduate research.

Norma '60 and Gary '59 are proud graduates of the West Central School of Agriculture (WCSA). Norma created the scholarship in memory of Gary, to honor their education and memories at WCSA, and to support students interested in agriculture. This gift also commemorates the Bradow's 60th reunions from WCSA.

Created in 2014 to celebrate Phi Mu Delta’s 50th anniversary, this scholarship honors the organization’s rich legacy at UMM and the many ways it has contributed to the success of the Morris campus. This scholarship is given to students to enhance their academic careers through co-curricular educational opportunities, including study abroad, internships, global studies, undergraduate research and service learning.    

The salutatorian of Hancock High School’s Class of 1962, the late Romilly Cassida graduated with distinction from UMM in 1966 with majors in studio art and psychology. After a long, successful career with Prudential, she retired in 1998 and built her dream home on Whidbey Island in Washington state. An artist and sculptor, she was widely read and enjoyed lively discussions, landscaping, gardening, interesting travels, and working on her home. This scholarship supports new and transfer students with academic promise.

Margie and Russ Fischer created their scholarship to support the University of Minnesota Morris, an institution they view as an important asset to the region and to the education of area students. While Russ was an executive in Milbank, South Dakota, he was a valued adviser to Chancellor Dave Johnson on UMM’s Chancellor Advisory Council in the 1990s. Margie and Russ grew up in New York and after relocating to this region they continued to serve their home communities of Minneapolis and Milbank. They also enjoyed traveling and attending UMM events.

This scholarship was created by friends and colleagues of the late Sam Schuman and his wife, Nancy Schuman, who wished to honor the Schumans’ service to UMM and the Morris community. Sam served as vice chancellor for academic affairs from 1995 to 1998 and chancellor until 2006. Nancy, a clinical social worker with a local mental health agency during these years, was involved in planning for the repurposing of the LaFave House as well as volunteer activities in the Morris community. This scholarship is awarded to students studying abroad.

As a nontraditional, “older-than-average,” student, the late Shirley Stewart Skoog commuted to Morris from Ortonville where, in addition to being a full-time student, she was a teacher, wife, and mother of teenage children. Shirley particularly enjoyed writing and drama classes. She graduated from UMM in 1970 with a major in elementary education and only a few credits short of a minor in theater. Believing good teaching is itself a performing art, Shirley devoted her career to teaching and spent more than 30 years in the classroom.

This scholarship was established by Robert W. Stahman and Myrna Anne Itzen Stahman, 1967 graduates of UMM. Robert retired from IDACorps, Inc. in 2004 after serving as vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary. Myrna retired from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office in 2004; at the time of her retirement she was chief of the appellate unit of the criminal division. Myrna currently does business at Rocking Chair Press, knitting, designing, teaching, and publishing knitting books. This scholarship is given to students participating in a University-approved study abroad program, with preference given to those with a strong interest in serving in the Peace Corps following graduation.

Former students, friends, and family of the late Ted Uehling, professor of philosophy, established this scholarship to honor Ted’s extensive contributions to UMM and the impact he made on many students’ lives.

The Edna Murphy Morrison Scholarship will be awarded according to the following criteria:

• Music major standing at the 3rd or 4th year level, will be attending UMM the following year;
• Academic achievement, including but not limited to a high GPA, participation in UROP or URS, and/or other presentations
• Outstanding ability in applied music performance or composition.

The Hansen Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to two students according to the following criteria:

• Music major standing;
• Outstanding academic performance in music courses required for the Music Major
• Outstanding ability in applied music performance or composition
• Overall academic excellence

In honor and memory of her parents, Harold and Dolores Thornes, and the extended Thornes family, Cheryl Thornes Lachelt created this scholarship to encourage students who have never traveled outside of North America to participate in a UMN Morris-sanctioned study abroad program.

The late Herb Croom was an assistant professor and principal at the University of Minnesota West Central School of Agriculture from 1943 until 1960. With the establishment of the University of Minnesota Morris, he became UMM’s director of student services, then director of placement and coordinator of alumni relations. Recipients are relatives of WCSA or UMM alumni.

Study abroad programs can change a student’s view of the world and their place in it. Through this scholarship, students can participate in a UMN Morris-approved study abroad program. 

All students accepted into an affiliated study abroad program will be automatically considered for all UMN Morris Study Abroad Scholarships.

This scholarship was established in memory of Joyce Catherine Stanley Dalager by her late husband, Vincent Dalager, and their children. Joyce grew up in the hard times of the Great Depression and learned well the lessons of frugality and the importance of education, supporting herself and her family with her bookkeeping skills, working with her husband as a partner in the family business, Dalager Electric Company of Morris, and continuing her education at UMM. Recipients are direct descendants of a UMM graduate.

Established by William R. King '73, who earned a bachelor of arts in elementary education, this scholarship is award to seniors planning to teach elementary education in rural Minnesota. Preference is given to students of color.

Presented annually to a senior enrolled in either the elementary or Elementary Education program, this award recognizes a student's demonstrated competence and potential for becoming an outstanding member of the teaching profession. William Scarborough joined the Morris faculty in 1966, made many contributions to public education in Minnesota, and served as chair of the Division of Education until his death in 1979.