The Department of Biological Sciences is dedicated to providing students with the
greatest possible opportunity to succeed. However, we cannot provide the best education
for our students without the best faculty, staff, equipment, and facilities. Your
generosity helps us make our goal of providing the best undergraduate and graduate
experiences a reality.
Thank you for your support.
Giving Needs
Biological Sciences Fund
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The Biological Sciences Fund supports special project needs in the department. These
are primarily student-experience-strengthening projects. Among these are: support
for seminars, assisting undergraduate student participation in research, and special
student laboratory needs. Additionally, this fund helps the department leverage funds
from elsewhere in the University for special projects. Increased support for this
fund will allow for greater student project support.
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Bioathlon and Outreach Endowment
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The Bioathlon is a biology competition for high school sophomores held each May. As many as 20
high schools from across the Upper Peninsula participate in a day-long competition,
using their skills and knowledge to solve biological problems along the way. Many
high school teachers use the team selection process (four sophomores per school) as
a means to motivate their students throughout the school year. The endowment covers
half the costs associated with this activity.
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Gopi K. Podila Research Award
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The Gopi K. Podila Research Award recognizes outstanding undergraduate and graduate
students in biological sciences. The award is given annually to student(s) demonstrating
outstanding dedication and potential for biological research. This award is dedicated
in memory of Dr. Podila, in recognition of his contributions to undergraduate and
graduate student research and his high standards of scholarship. It is given in recognition
of the student's high standard of scholarship, as demonstrated by the individual for
whom the award is named and dedicated.
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Medical Technology/Laboratory Science Fund
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The Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science Fund supports special projects and
recruitment for the medical technology/medical laboratory sciences (MLS) program.
It supports student field trips to hospitals, provides for upgrades in the MLS laboratory,
augments support for MLS professional visits to campus, and provides the base for
an active departmental recruitment program in medical technology/MLS.
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Scholarship Recipients
Jack Holland Endowed Scholarship
The Jack Holland Endowed Scholarship, established in honor of Dr. Jack Holland, Professor
of Medical Technology (1966-1988) is awarded to an outstanding first-year medical
laboratory sciences student, based on professional attitude, communication skills
and academic grade point.
Former students, upon Dr. Holland's retirement, originally set up the endowment. Those
wishing to donate to the endowment will be assisting with a greater portion of the selected student's
second-year tuition.
Recipients
- 2016 - 17: Autumn Tallman
- 2015 - 16: Larissa Kramer
Kathy Jean Jensen Endowed Scholarship
The Kathy Jean Jensen Endowed Scholarship was established by gifts from Mr. and Mrs.
Lloyd Jensen in memory of Kathy Jean, a 1974 Medical Technology graduate. The scholarship
is awarded to a Michigan Tech junior or senior majoring in pre-health studies (with
a 3.25 minimum GPA) with financial need. The recipient must be a Michigan resident.
The endowment has grown under the leadership of Dr. E. Michael Balok and his wife
Amy through the generous contributions of former recipients of the award, alumni,
and friends of the Department of Biological Sciences. Donations to this endowment will allow the scholarship amount to increase, with a goal of providing full tuition
support for an academic year.
Recipients
- 2017 - 18: Dana Anderson, Gavin Rye
- 2016 - 17: Leah Kimminau, Anna Caramella
- 2015 - 16: Luke Dalton, Misty Brouillete, Carine Netch-Toakom, Brittany Erickson,
Valerie Taglione, Alyssa Vinckier, Kayle Stemberger
Phi Sigma is the National Biological Science Honor Society. Students in the Michigan
Tech Beta Chi Chapter support undergraduate research awards for Biological Sciences
and Medical Lab Sciences students. Phi Sigma raises funds through book sales and,
occasionally, Winter Carnival activities. Designation of contributions to this fund will help Phi Sigma in its mission of supporting student scholarship
within the biological sciences.
Medical Technology “Tech Is” Award Scholarship
The Medical Technology "Tech Is" Award Scholarship was originally funded by the three
monetary awards received by the Society of Medical Technologists for first-place awards
in the "Tech Is" student competitions (1981, 1983 and 1986). The "Tech Is" program
no longer exists, however the endowments provides a partial scholarship to a junior-class
student based on participation in the Society of Medical Laboratory Scientists, extracurricular
activities, grade point, and faculty interviews.
Contributors to the endowment will be helping with the scholarship amount.
Recipients
- 2017 - 18: Caitalyn Nielson
- 2016 - 17: Melanie Batchelor
- 2015 - 16: Luke Dalton
Michigan Tech Medical Alumni Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of the scholarship is to provide support to junior or senior students
in either biological sciences or medical laboratory sciences who have a minimum grade
point of 3.25 and intend to pursue a professional medical graduate degree such as
a MD, DO, DDS, and so on.
The Michigan Tech Medical Alumni Endowed Scholarship is supported by alumni and friends
in various medical professions—make your gift now.
Recipients
- 2017 - 18: Piersan Kimmes, Callie Swaney, Matthew Tocco
- 2016 - 17: Greg Kaurala, Chase McNamara, Lynea Hautamaki
- 2015 - 16: Courtney De Cramer, Rebecca Mills, Abigail Meisel, Mindy Harrington, Ted
Ylitalo
Soldan MLS 4+1 Annual Scholarship
The Soldan 4+1 Scholarship, named in honor of Alice Soldan, one of the original MLS
faculty who taught for over 33 years, is awarded to a senior Medical Laboratory Science
student in their last semester at Michigan Tech. They must be able to document acceptance
into an accredited "+1" practicum and be enrolled in one of the following concentrations:
4+1 Medical Laboratory Science
4+1 Cytotechnology
4+1 Histotechnology
Upon retirement, Soldan's generosity provided the original funding for this scholarship.
The fund can be been augmented by alumni who wish to donate in her honor.
Recipients
- 2017 - 18: Melanie Batchelor
- 2016 - 17: Katie Schjoth
- 2015 - 16: Brook Bedore
Questions About Your Gift?
- Department Chair and Professor, Biological Sciences
- Affiliated Professor, CFRES
Designating Your Gift
Thinking about designating your next gift? Simply specify where your donation to the Tech Fund is to be designated when you
donate, which can even be done via phone solicitation. Please keep in mind you may
split your gift among several support areas. Any of the funds listed above, as well
as others, can be specified.
If 100 alumni, each capable of donating $25-$50 per year, were to designate their
donation to a department-designated fund or endowment, the base would grow $2,500
to $5,000 each year. If they did that each year, an endowment could increase by $50,000
in ten years.
You can create a great legacy for future Michigan Tech biological sciences and medical
technology/clinical laboratory science students. Thank you for your many generous
contributions to Michigan Tech.
