The Ham Family Scholarship Fund Presented by Essentia Health will benefit diverse students in the Duluth, MN/Superior, WI areas. The Fund was created in 2022 by Stephanie and CJ Ham, Essentia Health and the NFL Foundation to support students of color in the area and will grow through continued donations from the family and community provide in the years to come. As a person of color growing up in Duluth, CJ Ham successfully overcame many obstacles in his pursuit for a higher-level education including but not limited to financial distress. The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and support diverse students in pursuit of higher-level education, while simultaneously aiming to improve BIPOC retention and graduation rates through financial support.

Born to Norwegian immigrants, Harold T. Jorgenson grew up in Duluth, graduated from Denfeld High School and Duluth State Teachers College (now UMD), and received a masters degree in geography from Clark University in Massachusetts. Laura Laitala Jorgenson was born to Finnish immigrants on their homestead in Ely. She graduated from Ely Memorial High School, Ely Junior College (now Vermilion Community College), and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where she earned a degree in social work. The Harold & Laura Jorgenson Memorial Scholarship Fund helps fund the educations of Duluth and Ely public schools graduates in environmental science, social work or related fields at the University of Minnesota Duluth or Vermilion Community College

Hubert A. Nelson was born in Duluth in 1913. He was a graduate of the University of Minnesota and served with the FBI. He later worked as treasurer of the W. S. Moore Mining Co. in Duluth. He served with the Duluth Development Co., responsible for much of the renovation of downtown Duluth.

The Iron River Lions Club Marie Larson Scholarship Fund helps students in the Iron River area pursue higher education. Marie Larson, the longtime secretary of the Iron River Lions Club, started a golf tournament to raise money for the scholarship, starting in 2008. The scramble became an annual event and was later named in Marie’s honor.

The Jack and Mary Rowe Memorial Scholarship Fund rewards excellence in academics by students pursuing engineering studies who graduate from public high schools in Duluth, Hermantown or Proctor. This scholarship, created in memory of Jack and Mary Rowe, is not based on financial need. Jack Rowe enjoyed a successful engineering career with Minnesota Power. This scholarship rewards students who have the potential to do the same.

The Jackson Club Scholarship Fund provides financial awards for postsecondary education, including college and vocational training, to graduating seniors from Hermantown High School. Hermantown’s Jackson Club, the oldest club in St. Louis County, was established in 1910 in a one-room school building. The club moved to several different locations before deciding, in 1988, to sell its last club building and meet instead at City Hall. They used proceeds from the sale to create the scholarship fund for local students.

The James E. and Clyda J. Montague Scholarship helps graduating high school seniors attending the University of Minnesota Duluth, the University of Wisconsin-Superior or the College of St. Scholastica.

The James Hubert Memorial Scholarship helps Denfeld High School graduates or soon-to-be graduates pursuing four-year degrees and who have shown outstanding perseverance and determination. James J. Hubert was a native of Duluth who died serving his country in the south Pacific during World War II. His remains were only located in 2015, and were returned to Duluth in 2017, at which time a solemn and moving military funeral took place. Mr. Hubert’s sister, Mary K. Hagen, wishes to honor and memorialize her brother’s life and sacrifice by establishing the James J. Hubert Memorial scholarship Fund.

The Jeanne H. Hemmingway Scholarship Fund assists students with financial need, who have experienced adversity and who plan to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth. Jeanne H. Hemmingway was a former resident of Duluth and Tower. She recognized the importance of higher education and had a strong commitment to provide financial assistance to those in need.

The John A. and Jean Quinn Sullivan Scholarship Funds help graduates of Superior High School majoring in education.

The Julie Enberg Memorial Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to female undergraduate athletes at the University of Minnesota Duluth. The fund was established to honor Julie’s dedication to sports, especially hockey, and her commitment to both her community and UMD. Julie Enberg was an active member and coach of the UMD women’s hockey team in the days before women’s hockey was a varsity sport. She died in 2002 at age 38. This fund was established with gifts in memory of Julie.

Kathryn Bullyan was a resident of Hermantown for 70 years. In addition to raising four children, she was an active member of the community. Kathryn worked for the school district as a bookkeeper for 28 years. Kathryn loved growing up, working and raising her family in Hermantown. To express that appreciation and to reward students who volunteer, the family created the scholarship fund.