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
Cumulative Awards
Latest News
Emily Carsten 2022 – Donald Erickson Scholarship recipient
Where are you from originally? My family is from the Twin Cities area but I lived all over the US and outside of it growing up due to my dad being in the Marine Corps. Where are you going to school, what is your major, and how do you intend to use your major? I...
Caroline Elisabeth 2022 – Duane Reznechek Scholarship recipient
Where are you from originally? I am from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Where are you going to school, what is your major, and how do you intend to use your major? I will be attending Boston University School of Public Health, where I will be majoring in Epidemiology and...
Hannah Lane 2022 – Susan McGuire Erickson Scholarship Recipient
Where are you from originally? I am a Colorado native, born and raised in Arvada, a northern suburb of Denver. Where are you going to school, what is your major, and how do you intend to use your major? I am back at school pursuing a master’s in real estate and the...
Grace Livermore – 2022 Jerome P. Merkel Scholarship Recipient
Where are you from originally? Detroit Lakes, MN Where are you going to school, what is your major, and how do you intend to use your major? Currently I attend the University of Iowa online. I am 2/3 of the way finished with my master’s in social work. I have a...
EMF Workhorse Q & A: Laura Spelhaug
Erickson Merkel Foundation: Tell us a little bit about your family and friends growing up, and any positive effect that they had on your formative years. Laura Spelhaug: I’m the oldest of my three siblings, so naturally I am in the “leader” position. I am the first to...
EMF Workhorse Q & A: Christie Gorveatte
Erickson Merkel Foundation: Tell us a little bit about your family and friends growing up, and any positive effect that they had on your formative years. Christie Gorveatte: My parents always encouraged us to show generosity towards others and the importance of...
EMF Workhorse Q & A: Benjamin Balster
Erickson Merkel Foundation: Tell us a little bit about your family and friends growing up, and any positive effect that they had on your formative years. Benjamin Balster: Family always stuck to a routine during the school/work week and on the weekends. My family and...
3rd Annual Garage Sale fundraiser hits new heights
The most recent Erickson Merkel Foundation fundraiser blew the previous two out of the water. But first, credit where it is due. Mary Anton, Tyson Bittner, Jared Klempel, Marnie Piehl, Mike Renner, and Carly Retterath made the EMF North Dakota Team's 3rd Annual...
The outlook is positive
Hello everyone! As I was recently named the incoming Executive Director for the Erickson Merkel Foundation, I'd like to take a moment to recap on some things that happened so far this year as well as what we're looking forward to in the next 12 months. Since I'm the...
Workhorse Scholar Q & A: Jessica Oliva
Erickson Merkel Foundation: Tell us a little bit about your family and friends growing up, and any positive effect that they had on your formative years. Jessica Oliva: Being the eldest of two immigrant parents, I learned early on how my family was very different than...