Outstanding First Year Biology Student Award

The Outstanding Freshman Biology Award recognizes the student who has excelled in the introductory biology courses (General Biology I and II). The award is given on the basis of total points accumulated in lecture and lab, as well as recommendations from the teaching assistants. The teaching assistants base their recommendations on the students' enthusiasm for biology, their understanding of concepts, and their leadership in the classroom. The award recipient is awarded a plaque and a monetary award. The objective of this award is to "recognize" biologists early in their college careers.

Past Award Recipients
2009 - Lisa R. Duberowski
2008 - Whitney M. Hines, Anne M. Rice
2007 - Travis A. Johnson
2006 - Ashley Jo Hendrickson
2005 - Adam P. Foss
2004 - Marie H. Foss, Katherine J. Hines
2003 - Schott J. Sveiven
2002 - Anthony J. Picconatto
2001 - Bobby Jo Eckel
2000 - Jeremy Erickson
1999 - Elizabeth Ann O'Brien
1998 - Randy Olson

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award

This award is presented to the top teaching assistant in each department in the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) and is chosen by faculty members using established criteria. Recipients receive a plaque and a monetary award.

Past Award Recipients
2009 - Brian J. Black, Diana S. Ostrowski, Jacqueline B. Welch
2008 - Jacob A. Lyons, Matthew S. Ostendorf
2007 - Rachel A. MaKarrall, Frank A. Maragi
2006 - Margot A. Bergstrom
2005 - Katharine M. Brauch, Kevin P. Russeth
2004 - Anna C. Peterson
2003 - Hazel E. Richmond
2002 - Ayuko G. Kassel
2001 - Brendan Keough
2000 - Mary Karst
1999 - Aubie Kay Shaw
1998 - Kay Ranka
1997 - Nick Danz
1996 - Cathy Podeszwa
1995 - Mark Nelson
1994 - Kathryn Gronlund
1993 - Dan Weaver
1992 - Ann Sigford
1991 - Marlys Reuver
1990 - Jo Thompson

The Pre-veterinary Medicine Award is sponsored by Dr. Reza-ul (Raj) Karim and family in memory of Sikander M. Karim, Dr. Karim's father.

The Pre-Veterinary Medicine Award is awarded to a sophomore/junior who has a minimum G.P.A.of 3.4, and the following non academic measures: 1) Knowledge of the Profession and Experience with Animals This details the student's experience with veterinarians and experiences with and responsibility for the care and management of animals. 2) Maturity and reliability This takes into consideration the student's work experience, leadership skills, extracurricular activities and community involvement. Students are required to submit an application and a one-page essay addressing the above issues.

  Ernest and Tyyne Niemi Scholarship

 

• Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate course work at UMD
• Have completed the prerequisites for the undergraduate degree in Biology or Cell Biology prior to receiving the scholarship (e.g. general biology sequence, mathematics through calculus, organic chemistry, and physics).
• Submit a one-page statement of career interests

T.O. Odlaug Scholarship 

To the lucky recipient of the T.O. Odlaug Scholarship, (Written by: Professor Emeritus P.B. Hofslund)

More than likely you know nothing about the man whose life has inspired this gift which will make your life just a little bit easier. Was he a teacher who made a fortune as a university professor? Or was he a scholar known throughout the land as a brilliant researcher? No. The major source of this scholarship came from a student who on Ted's death remembered the inspiration and help that Ted gave to this student. Perhaps you would like to know what kind of man this teacher was.

Theron Oswald Odlaug's obituary states "Born in 1911. Died on the last day of the first month of the Millennium. B.A., Luther College; M.S., Ph.D., New York University. He taught at Union College, Billings, Montana, and Peru State in Peru, Nebraska before coming to the Biology Department at Duluth Teacher's College in 1945. He also worked for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as an aquatic biologist. He retired from UMD in 1978 as a full professor and department head."

The above description is 'bare bones'. It tells little as to why a former student should decide to honor this man so handsomely. Ted was a brilliant lecturer (he had to be, to have so many students praise his course in Human Anatomy), but why not? His object was to teach, for as the Pop once said, "This education that forms the common mind. Just the twig is bent, the tree's inclined". His philosophy is before you.

Perhaps one other quality is especially worth mentioning. Ted was the head of the department for over 25 years. To maintain such a position without serious discord, especially with a group of incoming young scientists, speaks well for the respect the faculty gave him. His faculty remained close-knot and disagreements seldom remained a factor in social life. In the 70's a survey was made of the students who graduate from the Biology Department. Over 50% had continued working towards an advanced degree.

A trim, sturdy Scandinavian, conservative to the end (his faculty always knew he would order Salsbury Steak, well done, when we ate out), he would have been overwhelmed by the award, but intensely proud, and if it was in any way possible he would be right by your side trying to help you reach your goal.

 

 

Purpose: The T.O. Odlaug Scholarship will provide a scholarship for UMD biology students based on need and merit.

Selection Criteria: Students must (1) be fulltime Freshmen or Sophomores at UMD in good academic standing, maintaining on overall GPA of 3.0 or higher; (2) be a Biology or Cell Biology Major and (3) have demonstrated both need and merit.

Applications should be submitted to the Department of Biology office, 207 SSB, by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2009.

T.O. Odlaug Scholarship Application Form

Past Award Recipients
2009 - Andrew S. Radzak, Alyssa R. Stafki, Rachel H. Toczydlowski
2008 - Laura A. Engman, Amy T. Herbranson
2007 - Becca A. Bartley, Travis D. Fahrenkamp, Teresa L. Joyal, Shannon J. Gallagher, Chantal E. Liepold, Kelsey L. Pautz, Paul C. Syverson, Josie M. Thole
2006 - Ed. R. Aberhardy, Danielle E. Ostrom
2005 - Scott M. Wendroth, Megan J. Wehrwein
2004 - Daniel M. Fallon, Corwin D. Nelson, Naomi R. Tucker
2003 - Eric G. Bluemn, Karen S. Myren
2002 - Sarah L. Pollema, Christopher M. Walker
2001 - Sarah Huth, Ann Torborg
2000 - Sarah Huth, Barbara Isaacson Lester

 

John McCabe Scholarship

Selection Criteria: Students must

(1) be fulltime undergraduate Biology or Cell Biology majors;

(2) be able to demonstrate financial need; and

(3) show high academic achievement, including an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.

 

 

 

Applications should be submitted to the Department of Biology office, 207 SSB, by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2009.

John McCabe Scholarship Application Form

 

Past Award Recipients
2009 - Steven A. Carlson, Laura A. Engman
2008 - Ricci L. Bender, Emily R. Stromquist, Josie M. Thole
2007 - Katelyn J. Rogers, Jasmine A. Wagner
2006 - Lisa A. Chilberg, Dustin R. Wing
2005 - Jenna R. Mollison, Brandon J. Peterson
2004 - Eric Bluemn, Karen Myren
2003 - Corrie J. Evenson, Ashley L. Gubbels, Kerry L. Kuffenkam, Sara A. Rubbelke