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
Workhorse Scholar Q & A: Devin Merz
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. Devin Merz: Growing up I have always had my parents behind me and supporting me no matter what it was I wanted to...
Workhorse Scholar Q & A: Byron Laing
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. Byron Laing: Neither of my parents are musicians themselves, but my mother has always been a classical music...
Another year for positive growth
It’s hard to believe, but the Erickson Merkel Foundation just named its third year of scholarship awardees, and we couldn’t be more proud. In 2014 we came together for the first time as a fledgling board to see if we could make this dream happen. I’m extremely happy...
The Winter Dummy Race returns!
This Saturday, Feb. 11, Erickson Merkel Foundation's North Dakota team will once again hold the Winter Dummy Race! Last year we were able to raise more than $500 from the day's events and associated donation drive. We had 10 dummies slide, flail and glide down the...
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...