Stenswick-Benson Scholarship

2025 Stenswick-Benson Scholarship Program

The Stenswick Benson Scholarship Award, established by MASE in 1991, honors the legacy of Ellsworth Stenswick and Loren Benson by supporting graduate students in special education. Since its inception, the fund has grown from $4,500 to over $290,000 (as of 2024), supported historically through biennial auctions at the Special Education Directors’ Fall Conference and ticket sales.

For 2025, we invite you to identify and recommend exceptional candidates pursuing graduate studies in special education for this scholarship. The Stenswick-Benson Scholarship Committee (under MNSELF) will award five to six (5-6) scholarships of $2,000 each this spring.

Eligibility Requirements:

Enrollment in a Minnesota-based (or geographically close) graduate program leading to Director of Special Education licensure or other special education license (psychology, related services, or teacher licensure).
Preference for candidates pursuing Special Education Director licensure or working in high-need licensing areas across Minnesota.

Candidates should complete their portion of the application and Special Education Directors are responsible for submitting the final application.

Click here for the 2025 application document.

Submission Deadline: March 28, 2025

Submit applications to:
Michelle Bethke-Kaliher, MASE Scholarship Committee
Alexandria Public Schools
1410 South McKay Ave, Suite 201
P.O. Box 308, Alexandria, MN 56308
Or via email: Mkaliher@alexschools.org

Thank you for your continued support in recognizing and nurturing future leaders in special education!

Sincerely,
Michelle Bethke-Kaliher
MASE Stenswick-Benson Scholarship Committee

History

The MASE Stenswick-Benson Scholarship Program awards scholarships annually to graduate students completing exemplary study in the field of special education leadership. The program began in 1991. It recognizes the legacy of leaders within special education as represented by Ellsworth Stenswick from Bloomington and Loren Benson from Hopkins, both considered special education pioneers. These fine colleagues and their families wanted to make a lasting contribution to our field.

Scholarship Recipients

2024

Cassandra Rule, STMA ISD 885 St. Cloud State University
Michelle Foshay Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative- University of MN Twin Cities
Michelle Mercado St. Paul School District MN State University Mankato
Nicole Bettcher Erickson, Maccray Schools, MSUM-Moorhead
Thomas McLaurin, Rochester Public Schools, MN State University-Marshall
Kala Noble, Rochester Public Schools, University of MN
Traci Anderson, Anoka Hennepin, MN State Mankato

2023

Alica Veltri, Northfield Public Schools | St. Mary's University seeking her Educational Administration and Director of Special Education licenses
Kelli Walters, ISD 197 | St. Mary’s University seeking her Director of Special Education license
Marisa Priess, Saint Paul Public Schools | MN State University-Mankato seeking her Educational Specialist Degree and Director of Special Education license
Denise Yonke, Thief River Falls Public Schools | MN State University-Moorhead and working on her Director of Special Education license
Sandra Hanson from St. Michael/Albertville Schools | St. Cloud State University and working on her Director of Special Education license
Michelle Fiedler, serving Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Schools | MN State University-Moorhead and working on her Director of Special Education license
Emily Museus, serving Brainerd Public Schools | St. Cloud State University working on her degree in Education Leadership and licenses as Director of Special Education, Principal and Superintendent

2022

Adrianne Blazevic, St. Croix River Education District, St. Cloud State University, Director License
Katie Challberg, New Prague, Minnesota State University, Moorhead, Director License
Katie Marciniak, Hermantown, Hamline University, Director License
Heather Schutte, Byron, University of Minnesota, Director License
Neil Smith, Cannon Valley Special Education Coop, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Director License
Emily Virant, Robbinsdale, Hamline University, Director License
Beth Vos, Osseo, St. Cloud State University, Director License
Holly Ward, Thief River Falls, Minnesota State University, Moorhead, Director License, P/HD License

2021

Jennifer Danielson, In Memory of Candy Malm, St. Croix River Education District, Director License, Hamline University
Katherine Snyder, Inver Grove Heights Schools, Director License, Minnesota State University Mankato
Tracy Ogren, Robbinsdale Area Schools, Director License, Minnesota State University Mankato
Jennie Sorenson, Mounds View Public Schools, Director License, Hamline University
Montana Peters, Sartell-St. Stephen Schools, Director License, St. Cloud State University

2020

Patrick Archibald, Southwest/West Central Service Coop, pursuing a Director’s License at Southwest Minnesota State University
Regina Magedanz, Rocori Public Schools, working toward a Director’s License at St. Cloud State University
Shelly Theis, Hutchinson Public Schools, pursuing a Director’s License at Minnesota State University
Eric Fergen, St. Paul River's Edge Academy, working toward a Director’s License at the University of Minnesota

2019

Krista McElligott, South Washington County Schools, Director License, St. Mary’s University
Erin Nelson, Edina Public Schools, Director License, St. Mary’s University
Tiffany Kanz, Edina Public Schools, Director’ License, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Larry Syverson, Rocori Public Schools, Director License, St. Cloud State University

2018

Craig Horejsi, SW Metro Intermediate District 288, O & M certification, University of Northern Colorado
Martha Smithson, Brainerd, Director License, St. Cloud State
Abby Lyon, Benton Sterns Ed District, Director License, St. Cloud State
Heather Fugate, Red Lake, ASD License, Bemidji State

2017

Zandra Bail-Lalonde, Northern Lights Special Education Coop - University of North Dakota
Meagan Blake, Moorhead Public Schools - MSUM Moorhead
Candace Burckhardt, Indigo Education - Bethel University
Sonni Sellner, St. Francis Schools - St. Cloud State University

2016

Melissa Hanson- SCSU
Dana Maney- U of M Twin Cities
Leslie Sagan- MSU Moorhead
Amy Zanotti, Moorhead,- MSU Moorhead

2015

Amber Haluska-SCSU
Emily Cooley-Dobbins- St. Thomas
Jackie Mergner- MSU
Brett Kosidowski- Concordia

2014

Michele Mogen-UMN
Susan Bartling-UMN
Amber Messner- St. Marys
Tanya Tacker-SCSU

2013

Kristen Hillesheim
Laurie Hume
Deanna Lawrence

2012

Sarah Brown
Jackie Budden
Christine Tangen
Wendy Tuominen

2011

Jill Krautkremer- Hamline
Erin Dohrmann- SCSU
Keely Swartzer- MSU
Susan Currens- SCSU

2010

Robin Grooters- MSU
Jamie Nord- SCSU
Ruth Paisley- Hamline
Heidi Springborg- USM

2009

Sherry Colter-SCSU
Mary Kelly- Hamline
Gretchen Priebe- St. Mary's
Ellen Voigt-SCSU

2008

Lana Talberg
Donna Miller
Sandra Fladeland
Erin Home

2007

Brenda Ackerson- MSU
Irvin Andrews- St. Mary's
Chad Erichsrud- St. Mary's
Lowell Haagenson- SCSU
Guadalupe Isola- Hamline
Allison Kral- Bethel
Nicole Lucas- St. Thomas
Diane McCarron- SCSU
Tonee Thiegs- St. Mary's
Kimberly Welsh-
Mary Zak- St. Thomas

2006

Brent Brunetta, Grand Rapids
Nancy Kutzman - Centennial Schools
Karrie Ingebretsen- Crow River Sped
Amy VandenBerg- Burnsville Schools
Monica Lewis- Benton-Steams
Nicolas Falde- White Bear Lake Schools

2005

Pat Bergstrorn- SCSU
Suzanne Busacker- SCSU
Carol Hokanson- MSU

2004

Corinne Graham- MSU
Pat Dourna-SCSU

2003

Cecilia Dodge-SCSU
Ann Goldage- MSU
Carly Gordy- MSU
Laura Pingry-Kile- MSU

2002

Rick Bishop- MSU
Julie Karlson- MSU
Christina Lain-SCSU
Jeannine Matthies, SCSU
Kara Williams- SW State
Angela Sutherland- MSU

2001

Howard Armstrong- SCSU
Reggie Engebritson- SCSU
Carol Svingen- MSU
Kathy Hedin- MSU

2000

Deb Pearson-Winona
Colleen Farley-Winona

1999

Lisa Dernbouski- MSU

1998

Arny Ziegler- SCSU
Dorothy Thornas- SCSU
Lisa Wiederholt- SCSU

1997

No Recipients

1996

Wendy Manson

1995

Michelle McNeamey

1994

Hilda Caples