28 students receive scholarships from MDU Resources Foundation’s Employee Scholarship Program

The MDU Resources Foundation recently awarded 28 scholarships worth $2,000 each to students who are family members of employees from across MDU Resources Group’s companies.

This year’s recipients are featured below.

The Employee Scholarship Program is awarded annually to children, grandchildren and spouses of eligible employees. Up to 30 scholarships in the amount of $2,000 are awarded each year.  Since 1987, the foundation has awarded nearly $1.1 million in scholarships to family members of MDU Resources employees.

While the foundation funds and determines the criteria for awarding the scholarships, it hires Scholarship America to select the winners.

Scholarship recipients are selected based on:

  • Academic excellence, including class rank, test scores and grade-point average;
  • Work experience;
  • Participation in school and community activities;
  • Volunteerism; and
  • A written statement of their career goals.
Tori Schulz of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota.
Tori Schulz of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota.
Tiffany Su of Sioux City, Iowa.
Tiffany Su of Sioux City, Iowa.
Tamara Stadel of Rapid City, South Dakota.
Tamara Stadel of Rapid City, South Dakota.
Sydney Lange of Belle, Missouri.
Sydney Lange of Belle, Missouri.
Sarah Jacobson of Bismarck, North Dakota.
Sarah Jacobson of Bismarck, North Dakota.
NotPictured-Shelby Mortenson
Natalie Macy of Kamuela, Hawaii.
Natalie Macy of Kamuela, Hawaii.
Michael Hayden of Billings, Montana.
Michael Hayden of Billings, Montana.
Madyson Heller of Hutchinson, Minnesota.
Madyson Heller of Hutchinson, Minnesota.
Madysen Schmidt of Solway, Minnesota.
Madysen Schmidt of Solway, Minnesota.
Madeline Arnold of Powell, Wyoming.
Madeline Arnold of Powell, Wyoming.
Mackenzie Beam of Royalton, Minnesota.
Mackenzie Beam of Royalton, Minnesota.
Lucas Elroy of Meridian, Idaho.
Lucas Elroy of Meridian, Idaho.
Logan Scheopp of Bismarck, North Dakota.
Logan Schoepp of Bismarck, North Dakota.
Lily Rymer of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.
Lily Rymer of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.
Libby Birdsell of Sioux City, Iowa.
Libby Birdsell of Sioux City, Iowa.
Lexi Nieuwsma of Bismarck, North Dakota.
Lexi Nieuwsma of Bismarck, North Dakota.
Kortni Medlang of Kenmare, North Dakota.
Kortni Medlang of Kenmare, North Dakota.
Kaden Volk of Sentinel Butte, North Dakota.
Kaden Volk of Sentinel Butte, North Dakota.
Jolie Sanders of New Salem, North Dakota
Jolie Sanders of New Salem, North Dakota.
Isadora Terzic of Boise, Idaho.
Isadora Terzic of Boise, Idaho.
Isabell Rymer of Foley, Minnesota.
Isabell Rymer of Foley, Minnesota.
Emma McAlpine of Albertville, Minnesota.
Emma McAlpine of Albertville, Minnesota.
Emily Westrick of Washburn, North Dakota.
Emily Westrick of Washburn, North Dakota.
Brooklyn Berger of Dickinson, North Dakota.
Brooklyn Berger of Dickinson, North Dakota.
Avery Burke-Doyle of Portland, Oregon.
Avery Burke-Doyle of Portland, Oregon.
Alex Cesca of Salt Lake City, Utah
Alex Cesca of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Sam Kujath of St. Louis, Missouri.
Sam Kujath of St. Louis, Missouri.

 

MDU Resources Foundation awards grants totaling almost $1 million in second quarter of 2022

During second quarter of 2022, the MDU Resources Foundation awarded grants totaling almost $1 million to 235 organizations where MDU Resources companies operate. The foundation also donated $24,000 to charitable organizations to match volunteer hours reported by employees.

Since 1983, The MDU Resources Foundation has contributed more than $40 million to worthwhile charities and organizations. Learn more about the MDU Resources Foundation at www.mdu.com/about-us/community.

 

MDU Resources Foundation commits $50,000 to South Dakota “farm to table” educational plaza

The MDU Resources Foundation committed $50,000 to the Stockyards Plaza in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for its outdoor experience plaza called the Stockyards Ag Experience Plaza and Barn.

The 3.7-acre development sits on land that once housed the former Sioux Falls Stockyards. The Stockyards Ag Experience is a unique educational park designed for visitors of all ages and is intended to:

  • Educate visitors about where food comes from.
  • Showcase the story of agriculture in this region from the farm to the table and its evolving relationship to the world.
  • Provide a dynamic, interactive learning center for all ages that explores the evolution of agriculture in the region with the Sioux Falls Stockyards as a focal point for this exploration.
  • Communicate the role agriculture plays in our economy and society.
  • Preserve the history and legacy of the Sioux Falls Stockyards.

MDU Resources Foundation donates to Montana flood recovery

Recent historic flooding of the Yellowstone River impacted many residents of Carbon County in Montana. The MDU Resources Foundation, in partnership with business units Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. and WBI Energy, donated $15,000 to The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation.

This donation will support the Carbon County Disaster Relief Fund to help residents safely return to their homes or to mitigate an unhealthy home situation caused by the flooding.

Tracy Timmons (center), executive director for The Red Lodge Community Foundation, received the check from Brandon Lance (left), Montana-Dakota regional director, and Mark Vinger (right), Montana-Dakota district operations manager, both located in Billings, Montana.

MDU Resources Foundation commits $100,000 to new nonprofit center serving low-income population

The MDU Resources Foundation committed $100,000 to the Dream Center Bismarck to purchase kitchen equipment for the new facility. Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, the nonprofit center is dedicated to serving low-income and struggling families, children, elderly, disabled, veterans and individuals in the Bismarck-Mandan area.

At 24,000 square feet in size, the Dream Center is a comprehensive resource center that will connect people with community services that address hunger, poverty, unemployment, nutrition, health and dental care, education, abuse, finances, addiction and more.

The following programs, services and amenities will be housed under one roof, making it a one-stop shop for individuals seeking help:

  • The Banquet which serves a free meal daily.
  • The Dream Center Food Pantry.
  • Adopt-A-Block mobile food distribution program’s warehouse.
  • A multi-faith chapel.
  • Meeting rooms open to partner organizations.
  • An event center.
  • Office area for other providers to use for health screenings or legal aid.

Read about the Dream Center Bismarck’s grand opening: https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/dream-center-bismarck-to-open-hold-open-house-sunday/article_9460aa36-c198-11ec-af2a-7f7aa6ceb78d.html

MDU Resources Foundation commits $50,000 to Washington food bank to curb childhood hunger

One out of six children in eastern Washington and northern Idaho faces hunger, according to Second Harvest, a nonprofit dedicated to getting food onto the tables of families, kids and seniors facing hunger.

The MDU Resources Foundation, in partnership with Cascade Natural Gas, committed $50,000 to Second Harvest’s Feeding Kids First campaign. This contribution will help Second Harvest get healthy food to children who need it the most.

“We’re grateful for our friends at Cascade Natural Gas and their trust in us to put their generous gift to work to serve children facing hunger,” said Jason Clark, president and CEO of Second Harvest. “It’s concerning that one out of six kids in the Mid-Columbia area faces food shortages at home. Thanks to Cascade Natural Gas, we can do more to help families fill the gap.”

Cascade Natural Gas has supported Second Harvest in various ways for the past 10 years. Eric Martiscelli, vice president of field operations for the Utility Group, said Cascade Natural Gas and MDU Resources Foundation contributed to the capital campaign for the Pasco warehouse, and Cascade has hosted employee-volunteer events at the warehouse to help box donations.

 

MDU Resources Foundation commits $100,000 to new children’s museum, science center in Minot, North Dakota

The MDU Resources Foundation, in partnership with Montana-Dakota Utilities, committed $100,000 to the new Magic City Discovery Center in Minot, North Dakota. The hybrid children’s museum/science center is envisioned to be an educational hub for the region.

The Magic City Discovery Center will provide experiential STEAM-based learning opportunities for children of all ages. It will feature the only Smithsonian Spark!Lab Invention Center in the region and only one of 10 in the nation. The center will be completed by year end.

 

Home sweet home: Knife River — Texas Division supports Habitat for Humanity, presents keys to homeowners

A family in Bryan, Texas, now has a place to call their own, thanks in part to Knife River — Texas Division and its employees.

As part of the Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity’s annual Corporate Challenge build, Knife River — Texas joined other local businesses in funding the home. Through the MDU Resources Foundation, Knife River — Texas contributed $10,000 for this year’s build. In addition, Knife River employees volunteered during the home build.

Since 2014, the MDU Resources Foundation has given $75,000 to the Habitat for Humanity in Bryan, Texas.

KRC-TX Habit for Humanity 2022 key presentation
Crystal Mejia, administrative assistant at Knife River — Texas, presented the keys to the new homeowners at the home dedication.

Crystal Mejia, administrative assistant at Knife River — Texas, presented the keys to the new owners at the home dedication.

“It was an honor to be asked to present the keys to this hardworking family,” Mejia said. “Handing those keys over to the family makes me proud to work for such a giving and caring organization that wants to help its community.”

Habit House_KRC Texas Messages on Sheetrock 2021      Habit House_KRC Texas_signed 2x4 2021
A Knife River employee (left) signs best wishes onto the sheetrock during the build of the Habitat for Humanity home.

 

MDU Resources Foundation’s 2021 contributions total over $2 million

In 2021, the MDU Resources Foundation contributed more than $2,091,000 in grants to 610 organizations in 23 states.

In addition to those grants, the foundation made the following contributions as part of its employee match programs that encourage volunteerism and support of education:

  • Through Volunteer Match Program, the foundation donated $89,250 as a match to employees’ reported 6,999 volunteer hours in 2021.
  • Through the Education Match Program, the foundation donated $26,350 to schools and universities to match education donations made by employees.

Since 1983, The MDU Resources Foundation has contributed more than $40 million to worthwhile charities and organizations.

In 2021, the Foundation contributed over $2,091,000 in grants to deserving organizations.