Undergraduate Scholarships

Stephen P. and Helen G. Bruzzone Electrical and Computer Engineering Scholarship

Stephen Bruzzone earned his master’s (1978), and doctoral (1982) degrees from the University of Minnesota. Growing up in North Dakota, his strong interest in electronics propelled him to pursue a major in electrical engineering, where in his sophomore year differential equations illuminated his understanding of calculus, physics, and circuits bringing them together into a complementary and unified whole. His graduate research under the direction of professor Mos Kaveh in the then emerging field of digital signal processing set him on a profoundly fulfilling career path in Silicon Valley. The Bruzzone Electrical and Computer Engineering scholarship, established in 2019, hopes for students to have a similar academic and professional experience. The scholarship supports undergraduate students pursuing a degree through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering on a full time basis, and demonstrate academic merit and financial need.

Erlyn E. Christianson Scholarship

An alumnus of the University of Minnesota, Erlyn E. Christianson earned his electrical engineering degree in 1949. He was president and owner of Industrial Electric Company located in Minneapolis and served on the boards of Despatch Industries and Superior Products Manufacturing Company. The Christianson scholarship was established in 1998 to support undergraduate students who are pursuing electrical engineering or computer engineering as their majors.

Daniel and Kimberly McDonald Engineering Scholarship

Daniel McDonald earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1982, and his J.D. in 1985, both from the University of Minnesota. Nationally known for his expertise and leadership in intellectual property (IP) law, McDonald has continued his relationship with the University in various capacities. The McDonald scholarship, set up in 2013, encourages applications from undergraduate students who are pursuing electrical engineering and have an interest in IP law, or are interested in pursuing a law degree or a career in IP. Recognizing the importance of diversity academically and in the field of IP law, preference will be given to those who contribute to diversity in the student body as students of color and/or female students if they are underrepresented in the major.

Freund Family Scholarship in Electrical Engineering

Peter W. Freund established the Freund Family scholarship in 2018 to help students overcome the challenges of putting oneself through school and pursue an engineering degree. Freund earned his bachelor’s degree through ECE in 1973 and enjoyed a successful career in refrigeration and heat transfer at Thermo King. Reflective of his own work as a champion for equality and inclusivity, the Freund Family Scholarship seeks to support full time students in financial need who are pursuing a degree in electrical engineering with a preference for those who are connected with or are part of GLBTA programs or groups.

Graco Scholarship Fund

The Graco scholarship, set up in 2005, supports full time undergraduate students in their third or fourth year of the electrical engineering or computer engineering program who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.

Chauncey L. Greene Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship in Electrical Engineering

Established in 1992, the Chauncey L. Greene Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to students who are pursuing a degree in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and who demonstrate dedication and academic achievement in their program. The hope is that the scholarship will recognize outstanding students who can become exemplary graduates of the department.

Gordon and Marie Hackborn Scholarship

The Gordon and Marie Hackborn Scholarship was established in 1999 by their children, Richard Hackborn and Joan Hackborn Hoover. The Hackborns, not having had the opportunity for post-secondary education themselves, encouraged their children to obtain their degrees at the University of Minnesota. Both Richard and Joan are alumni of the University, and established the scholarship in memory of their parents and to provide assistance to others to pursue and complete their education. The Hackborn scholarship supports students who are community or junior college transfer students to the electrical engineering or computer engineering programs, and demonstrate financial and academic potential. 

Herbert J. and Gertrude M. Hannam Scholarship

Herbert Hannam graduated from the University of Minnesota with his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees. While here, he worked on the construction of the linear accelerator as a research assistant. Noting professors Albert van der Ziel and George Shepard as the most influential on students and the department, Hannam is grateful to the University and ECE for the education he received which led to a successful career. On earning his PhD, Hannam began his professional career with GE in New York and later in Milwaukee as the head engineer for their X-ray division. The Hannam scholarship, established in 2014, seeks to support full time undergraduate students from Minnesota or Iowa who are pursuing electrical engineering.

Anthony Joseph “Tony” Pierce Scholarship 

Michele Pierce established the Anthony Joseph “Tony” Pierce scholarship in 2018 to honor her father during the centenary of his birth. Tony was an army veteran who served in the US Army Signal Corps in World War II. After leaving active duty, he went to school to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. He worked multiple jobs to put himself through school and support his family. Pierce graduated in 1950 with his BEE, and went on to have a successful career with the Hewlett-Packard Company. He was one of three individuals responsible for setting up the Saint Paul office of the company. The Pierce scholarship supports full time undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and academic merit, and are pursuing a degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering. The scholarship especially seeks to support students in their third year of college. 

Roger M. Nordby Electrical Engineering Scholarship 

Established in 1986, the Roger M. Nordby scholarship supports undergraduate students in electrical or computer engineering who demonstrate dedication and commitment to the program, financial need, and outstanding potential. Preference will be given to students who have graduated from a South Dakota high school.

Sievert Family Scholarship

Established in 2018 by alumni John and Susan Sievert (John graduated in 1977 with a BEE and Susan in 1983 with a BS in Math Education and English Education), the scholarship marks their thanks for the education and experience they and their children (also alumni) received at the University. The family is also especially appreciative of the sustained guidance and support their son received from ECE’s professor Jarvis Haupt. The scholarship supports full time undergraduate students who show academic merit, and are pursuing research under the direction of a faculty member in electrical engineering or biomedical engineering areas. Preference is given to students from Minnesota and/or students focused on statistical signal processing and learning theory, compressed sensing, and adaptive sampling techniques under the guidance of professor Haupt. 

Charles Seashore and Dolores Engelhard Seashore Scholarship

Established in 2017, the Charles Seashore and Dolores Engelhard Seashore scholarship honors the memory of alumnus Charles Seashore and his hopes for future electrical engineers. Working towards his electrical engineering degree while enrolled in the University’s Army ROTC program, Seashore’s final year thesis earned him a position at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. After his military service, he joined Honeywell where he was named senior fellow for his expertise in radar and infrared sensors. In his career of over 40 years, Seashore was mentor to numerous scientists and engineers, authored more than 100 technical papers, and made several other technical contributions. He was a pioneer in millimeter wave technologies and was a guide and mentor to small business entrepreneurs. The Seashore scholarship supports full time undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and academic merit with preference for students studying electrical engineering. Preference will also be given to students who contribute to diversity in the student body, especially female students. 

Timothy Amert Scholarship

Established in 2017 by donor Timothy Amert in appreciation of his time in the College of Science and Engineering, the scholarship supports students who are enrolled full time at the University to pursue electrical engineering, and demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.

Eugene G. and Margery A. Philipson Scholarship

Eugene G. and Margery A. Philipson are alumni of the University of Minnesota. Eugene Philipson had a successful career as an electrical engineer which included long stints with GMC and Sperry Univac. The Philipson scholarship, established in 2014, supports undergraduate students enrolled full time at the University pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, who demonstrate financial need and academic achievement. Preference is given to students who are graduates of a Minnesota high school, entered college right after high school, and were involved in extracurricular activities in high school.

Jim and Sara Anderson Scholarship Fund

Established in 2019 by donors Jim and Sara Anderson, the scholarship fund marks their appreciation for the education they received at the University of Minnesota. They credit their time at the University for the opportunities they have received. The scholarship supports students who show academic excellence and are studying towards the electrical engineering or computer engineering degrees, and are preferably in their major in their junior year. 

Elmer and Betty Schwittek Endowed Fellowship and Scholarship

Established in 2002 by alumnus Elmer Schwittek, the Elmer and Betty Schwittek fund supports promising students to pursue and complete their degrees in electrical engineering and computer engineering. The fund’s goal is to help attract new students to ECE degree programs and help current students attain their degrees.

Robert E. Rice Scholarship

Established in 2008 with the help of a gift from the estate of Robert Ernest Rice, the scholarship supports full time undergraduate students and transfer students. Rice was a 1931 graduate in electrical engineering. During his professional life that spanned 40 years, he worked in various fields of manufacturing starting with Honeywell in Minneapolis. After moving to other companies including Western Electric and U.S. Time Company, he returned to Honeywell from where he retired in 1973. The Rice scholarship is for new students with academic promise with an interest in electrical engineering or computer engineering, with preference for students from Minnesota.

Wendell A. Johnson Endowed Scholarship Fund

In appreciation of his experiences at the University of Minnesota which led to a successful career, Wendell A. Johnson helped establish the Wendell A. Johnson scholarship fund in 1996 to support students of merit in financial need in the electrical engineering program

J. Herbert Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund

The J. Herbert Johnson Memorial scholarship fund was set up in 2007 to provide scholarships to students pursuing electrical engineering and computer engineering degrees. The scholarship was established by J. Herbert Johnson in appreciation of the education he received at the University of Minnesota

Kinney Family Scholarship Fund

The Kinney Family scholarship fund was established in 2020 by ECE's professor Larry Kinney. He grew up on a small farm and scholarships helped him make his way through college. His family are UMN alumni and they are keenly aware of the importance of helping students. The Kinney Family Scholarship supports students who demonstrate academic merit and financial need, and are working towards an electrical or computer engineering degree. The scholarship fund is particularly supportive of students from out of Minnesota. 

Professor K.S.P. and Usha Kumar Scholarship Fund

Professor Kumar served as a faculty member in ECE. The scholarship was established in 2000 by Kumar and his wife Usha Kumar with the intention that students with financial need and academic merit can pursue and complete their education.

Robert A. and Mary C. Leppala Electrical Engineering Scholarship

Established in 2013 through the generosity of Robert A. Leppala, an ECE alumnus, and his wife Mary C. Leppala, the scholarship supports undergraduate students who are studying electrical engineering under full time enrollment. The scholarship especially seeks to help students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need, with greater emphasis on financial need. Students should be enrolled full time and pursue electrical engineering as their major. The Leppala family’s generous support is motivated by their strong belief in the unending value of education, and its importance in building and maintaining a strong nation to which students can contribute long past their time in an academic institution.

Raja and Jayanti Suresh Scholarship Fund

Established in 2020 by Raja Suresh and Jayanti Suresh, the scholarship was set up by the Suresh family to acknowledge the role of the University in their professional success. Suresh earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from the University, and his family are closely connected to the University. They recognize the importance of financial support to help students complete their academic journeys. The fund supports full time students who demonstrate academic merit and financial need, and are seeking undergraduate degrees in electrical engineering or computer engineering. It is also particularly supportive of students who actively participate in community service activities. 

Oscar A. Schott Undergraduate Scholarship Fund

The Oscar A. Schott Undergraduate Scholarship was established in 1989 to support sophomores, seniors, or junior students in electrical engineering in financial need, preferably a graduate of a rural Minnesota high school. 

Frederick Jones Innovation Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Set up in 2012 through the generosity of Thermo King and Ingersoll-Rand, the scholarship supports students in their junior year who show outstanding competence in an area of innovation. 

Kappa Eta Kappa Scholarship Fund

Set up in 1985, the Kappa Eta Kappa scholarship supports students who are active members of the Beta chapter of Kappa Eta Kappa. Scholarship recipients are chosen on the basis of activities in the chapter, extracurricular activities, good citizenship, and academic achievement. The scholarship was established by the alumni association of the Beta chapter of KHK.

Carl E. and Ethel A. Swanson Electrical Engineering Endowment Fund

Set up in 2000 by Ethel A. Swanson as a lasting memorial to her husband who was an alumnus, and her own interest in higher education, the endowment fund supports graduate and undergraduate students who are Minnesota residents. 

Skaar Family Scholarship

Donald L. and Ione E. Skaar set up the Skaar Family Scholarship in 2013. Donald Skaar graduated with his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1949. He served in the US Navy, and eventually went on to be a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the San Diego State University (SDSU). He is now professor emeritus at SDSU. The Skaar Family Scholarship supports full time undergraduate students demonstrating financial need and academic merit. Students should also be pursuing electrical or computer engineering degrees.

W. William Wold Scholarship

Set up in 2019 through the generosity of Loretta Wold, the scholarship honors W. William Wold, a 1964 alumnus of the University who earned his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering. He had a long and varied career which included working at Boeing and Medtronic. The scholarship is intended to help undergraduate students attending the University of Minnesota on a full time basis, pursuing an electrical engineering degree, and can demonstrate financial need and academic merit.

Rodger E. and Sandra P. Ziemer Electrical Engineering Scholarship

Alumni of the University of Minnesota, Rodger and Sandra Ziemer earned four degrees between them. The Ziemer Engineering scholarship, established in 2008, recognizes the excellent education they received, which allowed them to enjoy highly productive and rewarding careers. These include Rodger Ziemer’s career as a professor and department head of the electrical and computer engineering department at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. To encourage and support technical and scientific education, the Ziemer scholarship provides support to full time undergraduate students in ECE with financial need.