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 MASE Fall Leadership Conference and ticket sales.

For 2026, 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.

Submission Deadline: To be announced

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

2025

Brooke Mady, Southern Plains, Bethel University, Director of Special Education License
Ashley Boatman, South Washington, Hamline University, Director of Special Education License
Cindy Jambor-Wolf, Eastern Carver County, St. Mary’s University, Director of Special Education License
Laura Wallo, St. Paul Public Schools, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Director of Special Education License
Jill Stiefvater, Southwest West Central Service Cooperative, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Director of Special Education License
Jennifer Miller, West St. Paul, St. Mary’s University, Director of Special Education License

2024

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

2023

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

2022

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

2021

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

2020

Patrick Archibald, Southwest/West Central Service Coop, Southwest Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License
Regina Magedanz, ROCORI Public Schools, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Shelly Theis, Hutchinson Public Schools, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License
Eric Fergen, St. Paul River's Edge Academy, University of Minnesota, Director of Special Education License

2019

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

2018

Craig Horejsi, SW Metro Intermediate District 288, University of Northern Colorado, Orientation and Mobility Certification
Martha Smithson, Brainerd, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Abby Lyon, Benton Stearns Ed District, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Heather Fugate, Red Lake, ASD License, Bemidji State University, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) License

2017

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

2016

Melissa Hanson, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Dana Maney, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Director of Special Education License
Leslie Sagan, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Director of Special Education License
Amy Zanotti, Moorhead Public Schools, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Director of Special Education License

2015

Amber Haluska, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Emily Cooley-Dobbins, University of St. Thomas, Director of Special Education License
Jackie Mergner, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License
Brett Kosidowski, Concordia University, Director of Special Education License

2014

Michele Mogen, University of Minnesota, Director of Special Education License
Susan Bartling, University of Minnesota, Director of Special Education License
Amber Messner, St. Mary’s University, Director of Special Education License
Tanya Tacker, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License

2013

Kristen Hillesheim, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Laurie Hume, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Deanna Lawrence, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License

(Note: University and license type not provided, but likely consistent with other recipients.)

2012

Sarah Brown, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Jackie Budden, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Christine Tangen, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Wendy Tuominen, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License

2011

Jill Krautkremer, Hamline University, Director of Special Education License
Erin Dohrmann, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Keely Swartzer, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License
Susan Currens, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License

2010

Robin Grooters, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License
Jamie Nord, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Ruth Paisley, Hamline University, Director of Special Education License
Heidi Springborg, University of Southern Maine, Director of Special Education License

2009

Sherry Colter, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Mary Kelly, Hamline University, Director of Special Education License
Gretchen Priebe, St. Mary’s University, Director of Special Education License
Ellen Voigt, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License

2008

Lana Talberg, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Donna Miller, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Sandra Fladeland, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Erin Home, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License

2007

Brenda Ackerson, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License
Irvin Andrews, St. Mary’s University, Director of Special Education License
Chad Erichsrud, St. Mary’s University, Director of Special Education License
Lowell Haagenson, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Guadalupe Isola, Hamline University, Director of Special Education License
Allison Kral, Bethel University, Director of Special Education License
Nicole Lucas, University of St. Thomas, Director of Special Education License
Diane McCarron, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Tonee Thiegs, St. Mary’s University, Director of Special Education License
Kimberly Welsh, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Mary Zak, University of St. Thomas, Director of Special Education License

2006

Brent Brunetta, Grand Rapids, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Nancy Kutzman, Centennial Schools, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Karrie Ingebretsen, Crow River Special Education Cooperative, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Amy VandenBerg, Burnsville Schools, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Monica Lewis, Benton–Stearns, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License
Nicolas Falde, White Bear Lake Schools, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License

2005

Pat Bergstrom, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Suzanne Busacker, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Carol Hokanson, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License

2004

Corinne Graham, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License
Pat Dourna, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License

2003

Cecilia Dodge, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Ann Goldage, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License
Carly Gordy, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License
Laura Pingry-Kile, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License

2002

Rick Bishop, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License
Julie Karlson, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License
Christina Lain, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Jeannine Matthies, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Kara Williams, Southwest State University, Director of Special Education License
Angela Sutherland, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License

2001

Howard Armstrong, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Reggie Engebritson, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Carol Svingen, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License
Kathy Hedin, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License

2000

Deb Pearson, Winona State University, Director of Special Education License
Colleen Farley, Winona State University, Director of Special Education License

1999

Lisa Dernbouski, Minnesota State University, Director of Special Education License

1998

Arny Ziegler, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Dorothy Thomas, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License
Lisa Wiederholt, St. Cloud State University, Director of Special Education License

1997

No Recipients Listed

1996

Wendy Manson, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License

1995

Michelle McNeamey, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License

1994

Hilda Caples, Unknown District, Unknown University, Director of Special Education License