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Minnesota Government Engineering Council

Engineering Minnesota's Future

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Scholarships & Awards

Awards

The Promotional and Recruiting Committee seeks nominations for MGEC members to be recipients of the annual GOLDEN SLIDE RULE AWARD, recognizing outstanding technical skills, superb writing and publication efforts, and for sharing expertise with their peers, and the DISTINGUISHED CITIZENSHIP AWARD, recognizing outstanding effort in civic or other community service, which has included both international and local service to a community and/or for service to the MGEC community. These awards provide a unique opportunity to recognize some of the very special members of our organization.

Co-workers, supervisors, or individuals who wish to self-nominate are encouraged to read the following carefully and consider submitting the application materials.  All nominees must be Full Members of MGEC. Nominations will be judged by the Member Activities Committee on the basis of content, thoroughness, and completeness.

Golden Slide Rule Award

Awards will open March 1st and close June 30th every calendar year. Winners will be decided in July with announcement in August.

This award recognizes significant and substantial achievements in the fields of engineering or land surveying based on any or all of the following categories:

  1. Technical Achievement – achievements/ impacts in work unit, division, region, agency, or profession (i.e., program/process development, process improvement, technical advance, cost savings, etc.)
  2. Societal Involvement – professional society leadership roles, committee activities, concept development, or organizational contributions such as seminars, etc.
  3. Partnerships – initiating/facilitating joint effort with other internal/external organizations.
  4. Papers Submitted – published material resulting in significant contribution in organizational structure, method of operation/evaluation, new design manuals, complicated reports, technical presentations, etc.
  5. Scholastic Achievement – Masters or Ph.D., other honors.

Download the application here.

2023 Golden Slide Rule Award RECIPIENT

Chad Kolstad, MDH
  • Chad has long been a resource for the drinking water community not just within state government but also throughout the private sector.
  • He was instrumental in MDH obtaining substantial funding for lead service line replacement projects in Minnesota from our legislature this past session.
  • Chad spent many hours at the Capitol this past legislative session sharing information to help fix a public health issue in Minnesota: lead service lines.
  • Chad is always willing to share his experiences and is a valued member of many national work groups.

Golden Slide Rule Past Winners

2023-Chad Kolstad, MDH

2020-Bernard Izevbekhai, MnDOT

2019-Alan Rindels, MnDOT
2017-Steve Kordosky, MnDOT
2016-Blake Nelson, MnDOT
2015-Tim Donovan, MnDOT
2011-Paul Kettleson, MnDOT
2009-Mike Pretel, MnDOT
2008-Dave Dahlberg, MnDOT
2007-Chris Kufner, MnDOT
2006-Raymond Cekalla, MnDOT
2005-Chun Yi Wu, MPCA
2004-Rajan Thomas, Administration
2004-Brad Estochen, MnDOT
2003-Daryl Taavola, MnDOT
2002-Daryl Taavola, MnDOT
2001-Hongming Jiang, MPCA
1999-Lih-in Rezania, Health Dept.
1998-Memos Katsoulis, DNR
1997-J.T. Staley, MnDOT
1996-Marthand Nookala, MnDOT

Distinguished Citizenship Award

Awards will open March 1st and close June 30th every calendar year. Winners will be decided in July with announcement in August.

This award recognizes significant and substantial contributions to community, based on any or all of the following categories:

  1. Service in local, state, or national politics – elected, appointed, or volunteer activities.
  2. Service in community, charitable or civic activities – duration of involvement, level of commitment to activity, impact on involvement on community, creation of program, etc.
  3. Volunteer Work – type of work, length of involvement, time commitment, impact within organization or its customers/community, etc.
  4. Military Service – combination of National Guard or Reserve service to state and country, community involvement with JROTC and ROTC through high schools and post-secondary institutions.

Download the application here.

2023 DISTINGUISHED CITIZENSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT

Corey Mathisen, MDH
  • Corey started hosting food trucks in his neighborhood in 2020 during the Covid pandemic.
  • Since 2020, the group has raised almost $7,000 in cash donations along with other donations like toys, clothing, food, and school supplies.
  • A Facebook group was started to advertise the events and it now has over 1,000 followers who are notified when a food truck event is taking place.
  • Corey was the main organizer of all events. He organized the food trucks to visit along with coordinating the donations for the various events.

Distinguished Citizenship Award Past Winners

2023-Corey Mathisen, MDH

2022-Fernando Nacionales, MDH

2020-Benjamin Zwart, MDH

2016-John Siekmeier, MnDOT
2012-Graig Gilbertson, MnDOT
2011-Marcelo Alojado, MnDOT
2007-Jim Sellner, DNR
2006-Fred Jenness, MPCA
2004-Steven Porter, MnDOT
2003-George Cepress, MnDOT
2002-Raymond Burrows, Health Dept.
2002-Daniel Sullivan, MPCA
2001-David Beberg, MnDOT
1999-Lynnette Roshell, MnDOT
1997-Fred Maurer, MnDOT
1996-Alex Poletz, MnDOT

Scholarships

Two types of scholarships are available: Awards for family members of MGEC members and awards for MGEC members. The scholarship application period will open March 1st and close June 30th every calendar year. Winners will be decided by the MGEC Membership Committee in July with announcement in August. MGEC, at their discretion, may award up to $4,000 each calendar year for scholarships, distributed amongst any number of qualified applicants for the Family Member and Connie Minetor Memorial Scholarships

Family Member Scholarships

Scholarships are available to family members (children, step-children, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, siblings, and legal wards) of MGEC members (Full and Supporting Members). This scholarship money may be distributed amongst any number of qualified applicants, with awards to have a minimum value of $500. The scholarship award values may differ based on the quality of application. These scholarships are intended for those who are pursuing a degree in an engineering or land surveying field. Eligible applicants include undergraduates who will be entering their junior or senior year or those pursuing a graduate degree. If awarded, the student would receive the scholarship money as a reimbursement after submitting a receipt as proof of tuition payment.

How to apply for the Family Member Scholarship:
The student should download the application here. A copy of the most recent transcript must be submitted with the application. Email, fax or mail the application and transcript to the address below.

2024 FAMILY MEMBER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Faith Pemble
Julian Klemann

 

 

Caeden Schuette

Family Member Scholarship Winners

2024-Faith Pemble

2024-Julian Klemann

2024-Caeden Schuette

2023-Joey Stam

2023-Julian Klemann

2023-Erik DeSmith

2022-Erik DeSmith

2022-Faith Pemble

2021-Alison Zarling

2021-Joshua Chikkala

2020-Hannah Sinclair

2020-Victoria Johnson

2019-Andrew Schweyen
2019-Andrew Zarling
2019-David Wallington
2019-Kaleb Siekmeier
2018-Shane Impola
2018-Aaron Zarling
2017-Shane Impola
2017-Aimee Krebsbach
2016-Nicole Sannes
2016-Aaron Zarling
2015-Eben Robling
2015-Nicole Sannes
2014-Noumon Munir
2012-Paige Voigt
2012-Ben Sonnek
2011-Paige Voigt
2011-Nathaiel Rowenkamp
2010-Chad Jorgenson
2009-Justin Scott
2008-Justin Scott
2008-Cody Beckes
2007-Taylor Schwarting
2007-Jacob Wood
2006-Tom Knowles
2006-Ben Jilk
2005-Petrina Eger

Connie Minetor Memorial Scholarship

In 2002, MGEC’s board announced the initiation of the member-only scholarship program. The Connie Minetor Memorial Scholarship for MGEC Members (Full and Supporting Members) is named for the late Connie Minetor, MGEC’s first female President (1997/98) and first President from MPCA. It was established to provide help to members seeking to attain a degree or advanced degree in engineering or land surveying or seeking additional work-related training. This scholarship money may be distributed amongst any number of qualified applicants, with awards to have a minimum value of $500. The scholarship award values may differ based on the quality of application. Current Board Members are not eligible to apply. Eligible members may apply for the scholarship more than once. If awarded, you would receive the scholarship as a reimbursement after providing proof of payment for the training or course(s).

How to apply for the Connie Minetor Memorial Scholarship:
Download the application here.  Email, fax or mail the application and transcript to the address below.

2023 CONNIE MINETOR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Aaron Hinz (on right)

Connie Minetor Memorial Scholarship Winners

2023-Aaron Hinz

2022-Aaron Hinz

2020-Alan Dale

2018-Tara Olds
2012-John Chikkala
2011-Krysten Saatela
2011-John Chikkala
2009-Brett Ballavance
2008-Ben Jilk
2006-Brett Ballavance
2005-Ronald Dahlquist

MGEC Member Activities Committee
5874 Blackshire Path
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
651-774-9576 (fax)
mgec@mgec.org

 

 

 

 

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MINNESOTA GOVERNMENT ENGINEERING COUNCIL

5874 Blackshire Path
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076-1621
651-774-0996
Fax: 651-774-9576
mgec@mgec.org
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