OUR MISSION
Your hard work means a lot to us.
We aim to select and reward scholarship candidates who exemplify the values of hard work, creativity, and service…
Not just students who earn a high GPA, but the sort of students who are putting themselves through school by working tenaciously.
We want to reward workhorse scholars who are doing what is necessary to achieve their goals, all while avoiding burdensome and economically damaging student loan debt.
IMPACT
Scholarships Awarded
Scholarship Dollars
Latest News
Wilhelm: Family and team work important for success
Angela Wilhelm knows a thing or two about hard work and planning for the future. “If you want something in life then you are going to have to work for it,” was a common refrain and grew to become what she said was her “steadfast philosophy,” instilled at an early age...
Alberts: Discipline and compassion go hand-in-hand
Born and raised in Ohio by parents Charles and Kathy, Alexa “Lexi” Alberts was taught to value dependability, consistency and perseverance from a very young age. Alongside her brother, Andy, Lexi learned both compassion and discipline, which would stay with her to...
Nemitz: Ag, health care instilled drive from a young age
One of this awardees of the 2016 Workhorse Scholarships traces his drive to his roots on a Minnesota farm, where his dad taught him about hard work and his mother inspired his interest in medicine. Gunnar Nemitz, a graduate of Monticello High School originally hailing...
Kerr: Care inspires workhorse drive
Sarah Kerr has a passion for medicine that she’s been cultivating since she was a child. Growing up Bellingham, Washington, gave her a unique perspective on helping others. She and her siblings Emily, Marissa and Dakota shared their home with even more siblings thanks...
Four scholarships awarded
At its annual scholarship selection meeting, the Erickson Merkel Foundation Board of Directors recently picked its second round of Workhorse Scholars. Four candidates were selected after the review process ended this year, resulting in Angela Wilhelm, Lexi Alberts,...
1st Annual EMF Workhorse 5K – Results
Thanks to everyone who participated in the 1st annual EMF Workhorse 5K on Sunday May 22 at Lake Phalen in Saint Paul! We had fantastic weather, top-notch volunteers, and a great turnout, making the event a huge success. Forty runners and walkers enjoyed the 80deg...
The inaugural EMF Workhorse 5K!
Sunday, May 22, 2016 Noon @ Lake Phalen in St. Paul Lake Phalen • 1600 Phalen Drive • Saint Paul, MN 55106 Join us for the inaugural EMF Workhorse 5K! This family-friendly 5K run/walk around Lake Phalen in St. Paul will be held Sunday, May 22, 2016. The race starts at...
Attention, All Workhorses!
An update from the Erickson Merkel Foundation during our second round of scholarship applications Executive Perspective By Eric Jungels, executive director Hello everyone, and happy 2016! I’m happy to report that our first year as a fully-functioning...
Erickson Merkel Foundation to hold Winter Dummy Race
BISMARCK, N.D. - A popular wintertime event could be coming to the area thanks to the efforts of a nonprofit organization with local ties. The Erickson Merkel Foundation is aiming to host a Winter Dummy Race later this month to raise money for local scholarships. The...
Heim: Strong commitment to work and studies
Allissa Heim is a focused individual, and through that focus has begun marching forward toward her life goals. In doing that, she also earned this inaugural year’s top scholarship of $3,000 from the Erickson Merkel Foundation. Currently, Allissa is working...