2018 NDU Foundation Scholarship & Grant Winners

2018 NDU FOUNDATION

SCHOLARSHIP & GRANT WINNERS

The NDU Foundation is proud to present scholarships, special awards and grants to our North Dakota United members, including Student NDU and NDU-Retired members, as well as the dependents of all members, for the continued development of their professional skills and knowledge.

Ron & Ann Anstrom Scholarship:

Kelly Entzel

• Kelly Entzel, Grand Forks, is a fifth-year English teacher currently teaching at Community Alternative High School in Grand Forks. Entzel is an active member of Grand Forks Education Association and NDU. Entzel is currently enrolled at Valley City State University, where she is earning her master’s degree in the Education program with an emphasis in Library, Information and Technology (LIT).

Dana Kitchen

• Dana Kitchen, Bottineau, graduated in 2007 from Valley City State University with a bachelor’s degree in English Education. Kitchen currently teaches at Bottineau School District, where she teaches three different English classes. Kitchen is an active member of the Bottineau NDU local where she has served as vice president and president.

NDU Foundation Ethnic Minority Scholarship:

Alexandria Alvarez

• Alexandria Alvarez, Bismarck, is currently attending United Tribes Technical College where she is earning her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in science. Alvarez was on the President’s List her freshman year at UTTC and Vice President’s List her sophomore year. Alvarez is active in the Education Club at UTTC and is currently serving as president.

Cindy and Gary Rath Education Scholarship:

Kirsten Aafedt

• Kirsten Aafedt, Grand Forks, is currently attending the University of North Dakota where she will complete her degree in December 2018. She will have a double major in Elementary and Middle Level Education with a concentration in math and science. During her freshman year of college, Aafedt volunteered in a fourth-grade classroom and realized her passion of becoming a teacher.

Horace Mann ND Agents Graduate Education Scholarship:

Connie Schlittenhardt

• Connie Schlittenhardt, Valley City, first graduated from Valley City State University in 1991 with a degree in Elementary Education. In 2014, Schlittenhardt earned her Reading and Math Title 1 endorsements from VCSU. Schlittenhardt is ready to tackle yet another degree and earn her master’s degree from the University of Jamestown.

• Amanda Weston Caillier, Grand Forks, graduated in 2013 from North Dakota State University with a Master of Science in School Counseling. Weston is active in the Grand Forks Education Association and has worked in both rural and urban communities during her time as a counselor. The scholarship will enable her to serve as an intern this summer at Community Violence and Intervention Center, where she will receive mentoring on how to work with adolescents that have gone through trauma and adverse childhood experiences.

NDU Member/Dependent Scholarships:

Jamison Feske

• Jamison Feske, Fargo, is attending North Dakota State University, where he will be graduating with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Spanish. At NDSU, Feske was on the Dean’s List during the fall of 2017. Feske’s proudest achievement is earning his Eagle Scout rank after 10 years of Boy Scouts.

Andrew Holen

• Andrew Holen, Bismarck, graduated from Century High School as valedictorian and now attends Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. He has received the Presidential Distinction Award, along with a music scholarship from Concordia College. Holen also participates on Concordia’s varsity basketball team and plays trombone in the band.

Reed Jacobson

• Reed Jacobson, Fargo, is attending North Dakota State University, where he will graduate with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Jacobson has always had an interest in science and the wildlife around him, and has used that interest to pursue a career path that fits his goals. Jacobson is currently on the Dean’s List at NDSU.

Wesley Kemp

• Wesley Kemp, Cavalier, is currently attending the University of Jamestown and will be majoring in accounting. Kemp was active in his high school and community by participating in 4H club, National Honor Society and the ND Academic All-State team. Kemp has competed at the Northeast North Dakota Regional Science Fair and has also competed nationally at the Future Business Leaders of America, where he placed sixth.

NDU Education Scholarships:

• Kirsten Aafedt, Grand Forks

• Alexandria Alvarez, Bismarck

• Margaret Brink, Bismarck, is attending NDSU, where she is majoring in Vocal Music Education. She attended Century High School, where she was in National Honor Society, won the Presidential Academic Award and graduated with academic honors. She was also in the Sleepy Hollow Summer Theater for five years.

Abigail Hintz

• Abigail Hintz, Hannover, graduated from Center-Stanton High School and now attends the University of Mary where she will major in Special and Elementary Education. In high school, Hintz was active in 4H, FFA and Adopt a Classroom Program.

Tiffany Towne

• Tiffany Towne, Bismarck, is currently majoring in Elementary Education at Mayville State University. This degree will be Towne’s second degree. Towne closely worked with kids who lived in low-income families, and she felt the responsibility to continue the path of helping kids by getting her second degree in Elementary Education.

Joseph A. Westby Leadership Award:

Dr. Holly Pederson

• Dr. Holly Pederson, Minot, currently is an associate professor of special education at Minot State University. Pederson has conducted research pertaining to children with hearing loss, and because of this research, has been accepted to attend the Family Centered Early Intervention Biannual Congress held in Austria. Pederson will be presenting her research in June 2018 and will return with knowledge on cutting-edge practices.

NDU Workplace Innovation Grant:

• Julie Kautzman, Mandan, and several other teachers from Custer Elementary School will be able to give students a hands-on opportunity with relevant, engaging, real-world experiences. Lego WeDo design kits allow students to learn by asking questions and thinking in a creative way to problem-solve.

Northwood Elementary School

• Robert Lukens, Northwood, applied on behalf of Northwood Elementary School, which currently has no art budget because of the small school size. The grant will assist purchasing art supplies such as paints, clay, markers and canvases. Art classes are taught by volunteer Nicole Rasmussen.