Apply for Scholarships and Awards
Students eligible for the scholarships below which require additional information will receive an email with a link to a Google form where additional information will be provided. As long as you have filed a FAFSA at UMD and are currently enrolled you will be considered for all scholarships where you have eligibility.
Art & Design offers the following scholarships that typically award $60,000 - $80,000 each year:
Cheng-Khee and Sing-Bee Chee Art Scholarship
The Cheng-Khee and Sing-Bee Chee Art Scholarship was created in 1998 to honor the significant role that Cheng-Khee Chee has had in the lives and artistic development of students at UMD and in the wider community.
Geraldine Hanson Heller Scholarship
Geraldine Hanson Heller grew up in Duluth, MN, and earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis in 1945. After graduation, she worked at the Harold Starin Architecture Agency until her marriage to Robert Heller in 1946. She devoted many years to raising three daughters, homemaking, volunteering, and engaging in UMD activities with her husband, who served as Geology Professor, Department Head, administrator, and eventually Chancellor before retiring after 37 years. During this time, Gerry pursued her passion for painting—primarily watercolors, sometimes acrylics—and took classes from Cheng-Khee Chee and Tom Boyd. This scholarship supports Art & Design students in honor of her enduring love for both disciplines.
UMD Labovitz Family Scholarship
After graduating from UMD in 1949, Joel Labovitz joined his father, Maurice, at Maurice's Inc., expanding the business through the 1960s–70s. Joel sold the company in 1978 but remained president and CEO until 1981. A dedicated supporter of UMD, Joel received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1988, delivered the Commencement address, and has taught students and faculty about entrepreneurship, leadership, and ethics. His wife, Sharon, a graduate registered nurse, has been a civic, educational, and cultural leader in Duluth, served as president of the Athenaeum Fine Arts and Music Library in La Jolla, and sat on the board of the San Diego Museum of Art. In 2006, Sharon and Joel established this scholarship to support UMD Art majors and LSBE business majors.
Katharina and Karl Jaros Photography Scholarship
The Jaros Photography Scholarship was established by Barbra and Mihal Jaros and their children in honor of their daughter-in-law and son, Katharina and Karl. Karl was a successful photojournalist for The Duluth News Tribune from 1953-82. He also won 39 regional, state and national awards for his distinguished photography.
Mitchell and Schissel Memorial Art Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1987 as a memorial to Deborah Mitchell and John Schissel, two Art & Design alumni.
Edith M. Nelson Art Scholarship
Glenn Nelson came to Duluth in 1956 to build a ceramics program for the UMD Art Department. Over the next twenty years, Glenn Nelson had a profound influence on hundreds of students, many of whom are now professional ceramic artists and teachers. Professor Emeritus Glenn Nelson established this scholarship in 1989 to support deserving Art & Design majors with priority given to those working in ceramics.
Skomars Family Scholarship
The Skomars Family Scholarship was established in memory of Emanuel Theodore (E.T.) (Monte) and Toinie Sylvia Skomars. The Skomars were strong supporters of education for their children, Warner, Leslie, and Diane. They also instilled in them an appreciation for art and beauty. In honor of this remarkable couple, the Skomars Family Scholarship is established to provide art/photography scholarships for undergraduate students at UMD.
Dale C. Hagen Scholarship
Dale C. Hagen was a long-time Duluth art teacher whose many students held him in high regard.
Thomas L. Kerrigan Scholarship
Professor Kerrigan was head of the ceramics area in the Art Department at UMD from 1975 until 2000. He actively exhibited his work at the national and international levels and gave numerous workshops. His work appeared in a number of prominent periodicals including Ceramics Monthly, American Craft and Ceramics: Art and Perception.
Olive Anna Tezla Fine Arts Scholarship
UMD Professor Emeritus Albert Tezla, who dedicated his life to higher education, created this scholarship in honor of his wife’s contribution to the life of the University community and in recognition of her life-long love of the fine arts.
- The Paul E. Duchscherer and John Freed Endowment Fund
- Robert A. Repinski Scholarship in Printmaking
- Marsha Hystead Believe in Better Scholarship
- Raymond W. Darland Art Scholarship
- Howard W. Lyons Scholarship
- Pro Print Scholarship