Foundation and Alumni

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We’d love to hear from you! Please send us your email address and/or mailing address via one of the following methods and we will send you the Mesabi Range Foundation Newsletter:

Mail: 1001 West Chestnut Street, Virginia, MN 55792
Phone: 218-550-2519
Email: foundation-mesabirange@minnesotanorth.edu

Who are we and what do we do?

The Mesabi Range Foundation’s mission is simple – we support the Minnesota North College – Mesabi Range Campuses (Virginia and Eveleth) in the work it does to provide an extraordinary education to our students!

The Foundation, incorporated in 1970, has a rich tradition of supporting the efforts of Mesabi Range Campuses through: scholarships; conveying in-kind donations of physical assets, equipment, technology to various programs; and acting as a fiscal sponsor for grants.

Since its inception, the Foundation has disbursed over $2.8 million in tuition support to over 5,100 students! The Foundation is incorporated under the statutes of the State of Minnesota, classified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under IRS guidelines, and operates with the sanction of the Minnesota State System. Thus, all gifts are tax deductible!

In these times of raising tuition costs and decreasing state aid, the Foundation’s role is more important than ever in helping Mesabi Range Lead the Way! Join us in helping Mesabi Range deliver on its mission of extraordinary education.

Mission & Vision

Mesabi Range Foundation’s mission is to assist Minnesota North College – Mesabi Range-Virginia and Mesabi Range-Eveleth campuses in promoting extraordinary education opportunities for the students, faculty, staff, and administration. The Foundation is incorporated under the statutes of the State of Minnesota, classified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under IRS guidelines, and operates with the sanction of the Minnesota State System.

Further, we pledge to support the College’s work to be the partner of choice to meet the workforce’s and community’s needs.

Finally, we pledge to assist in delivering to students, employers, communities, and taxpayers the highest value/most affordable option.

Programs

• Facilitates approximately $100,000 of tuition support annually through Scholarships.
• Accepts monetary donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations on behalf of the Mesabi Range Campuses.
• Acts as a Fiscal Agent to facilitate in-kind donations for programmatic support.
• Acts as a Fiscal Sponsor to facilitate grant opportunities for the College

Scholarship Opportunities

The Mesabi Range Foundation scholarship application is online! With one simple electronic application, MRC students can apply for any of the 65+ scholarship awards facilitated by the MRC Foundation that they are qualified for.

The scholarship season will open December 1, 2022 and close on March 19, 2023.

If you need assistance with your scholarship application, or you have questions, contact Scott Wirtanen at 218-550-2519 or foundation-mesabirange@minnesotanorth.edu.

Ways to Give

Board of Directors

Sue Medure – President
Luke Chopp – Vice President
Gary Picek – Secretary
Elizabeth Pluskwik – Treasurer
Annie Bachschneider Perkio
Mary Gorman
Thomas Inforzato
Brenda Kochevar
Mark Muhich
Kim Pittman
John Klarich
Sue Long
Gary Cerkvenik

Foundation Coordinator

Scott Wirtanen
Foundation Coordinator
Minnesota North College – Mesabi Campus
1001 West Chestnut Street
Virginia, MN 55792
218-550-2519
scott.wirtanen@minnesotanorth.edu

Foundation Newsletters

• May 2021 Newsletter
• August 2021 Newsletter
• February 2022 Newsletter
• July 2022 Newsletter
• February 2023 Newsletter
• September 2023 Newsletter

MESABI RANGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

MISSION STATEMENT

The Mesabi Range Alumni Association supports the mission of the college by providing scholarships to students, building enrollment and promoting pride among graduates, current students and the surrounding community.  This work is accomplished by encouraging all alumni to participate in the association and college tradition and to contribute to the scholarship fund.

Scholarship Application Opens December 1, 2022 and Closes March 19, 2023.

The Alumni Association will accept applications for the 2022-2023 academic year for the scholarships listed below.  The number of scholarships and dollar amounts are dependent on alumni donations and memorial funds.

HISTORY OF THE MESABI RANGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The organizational meeting of the Virginia Junior College Alumni Association was held on Monday, February 26, 1962.  At this meeting, a constitution was adopted, a slate of nominees for the Board of Directors was elected, length of terms was determined, and a decision to award the first alumni scholarship at the college’s 40^th anniversary in September, 1962, was made.  Newly-elected board members were:

Dances, coffee socials, potlucks, picnics, banquets with speakers, alumni athletic contests, and Ramapo Riot were planned as fundraisers to raise money to start a scholarship fund.  Also, annual membership dues of $1 per person were assessed.  Even though on February 13, 1963, the treasurer reported $4 in the Scholarship Fund, the first scholarship was awarded to Donna Lakso for $100 in June of 1963.

Today, the Mesabi Range Alumni Association Board of Directors include:

Each academic year, up to ten scholarships totaling over $20,000 are awarded to deserving students at the Virginia and Eveleth campuses.  These scholarships are made possible from the very generous donations of former Mesabi alumni.  Current alumni scholarships are:

ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIPS

Entering Freshman Scholarship – A tuition grant of $2,000 to a high school senior who enrolls as a full-time freshman at Mesabi Range Virginia or Eveleth Campus. This award is based on financial need and scholastic ability (must have a 3.0 GPA).

Ray Bennick Trade/Craft Scholarship – Tuition grants of $2,000 to full-time students who are enrolled in technical programs at Mesabi Range Eveleth Campus.   Ray Bennick was hired in 1984 at Mesabi Community College as Continuing Education Director and Engineering Technical Instructor.  Awards are based on skills and a recommendation from high school or college instructors, or from the workplace.

F.B. Moe Memorial Scholarship – A tuition grant of $2,000 to an outstanding freshman who enrolls as a full-time sophomore at Mesabi Range Virginia or Eveleth Campus.  Provided in memory of Floyd B. Moe, who was a long-time educator and school administrator in Virginia. This award is based on scholastic ability (must have a 3.5 GPA).

William Monat Memorial Scholarship – A tuition grant of $1000 to a full-time student at Mesabi Range Virginia Campus.  Provided in memory of William Monat, a long-time educator, coach, and administrator in Virginia. This award is based on financial need and scholastic ability (must have a 3.2 GPA) with preference to an education (teaching) major.  Incoming freshmen, sophomores, non-traditional students are eligible.

Pat & Babs Dimberio Memorial Scholarship – A tuition grant of $2,000 in memory of community and educational supporters Pat and Babs Dimberio.  This scholarship will be awarded to a full time traditional student enrolled at Mesabi Range Virginia or Eveleth Campus. who has completed a minimum of 15 college credits. Applicants are required to have an overall GPA of 3.5 and be enrolled in accredited Mesabi Range Campus courses.

Margaret Marvin Memorial Scholarship – Tuition grants totaling approximately $4,000 to full-time students at Mesabi Range Virginia or Eveleth Campus.  Funded through an endowment in memory of Margaret Marvin who, for more than 30 years, was a member and supporter of the Alumni Association. The recipient must demonstrate good character, leadership skills, community involvement, and preferably express an interest in teaching.  Incoming freshmen, sophomores, and non-traditional students are eligible.

VJC Judie Kauchick Memorial Scholarship – A tuition grant of $4,000 to an outstanding student who enrolls as a full-time student at Mesabi Range Virginia or Eveleth Campus.  This scholarship was founded by Virginia Junior College graduates in recognition of the pivotal role the College and its faculty played in assisting those students on their journey. This award is primarily directed to a student with a STEM or business-related curriculum and is based on community involvement and scholastic ability (must have a 3.0 GPA).  Incoming freshmen, sophomores, and non-traditional students are eligible.

***Qualifying students must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits each semester with at least 9 credits each semester taken through a Mesabi Range Campus instructor.  One half of the total scholarship award is disbursed at the beginning of each semester.