manitowoc public school district foundation Scholarships

The scholarships in this group are provided by funds given to the Manitowoc Public School District Foundation from various sources.  The Lincoln Faculty Scholarship Committee selects recipients. Criteria for the MPSD Foundation Scholarships include: academic excellence, high school grades through the third quarter of senior year, school and community involvement, and school citizenship.  Financial need will be a consideration for a few of the scholarships.

Who can apply?

Lincoln High School seniors are eligible to apply for MPSD Foundation scholarships.


How are recipients selected?

The Lincoln Faculty Scholarship Committee selects recipients.  Criteria for the MPSD Foundation Scholarships include: academic excellence, high school grades through the third quarter of senior year, school and community involvement, and school citizenship.  Financial need will be a consideration for a few of the scholarships.


When will the application be available?

Applications are available in the winter of  senior year and will be listed on the Scholarship Database once they are available.


How do I apply?

Students apply for these scholarships by completing ONE application and checking the box next to each scholarship for which they would like to apply. Applications will be listed on the Scholarship Database once they are available.


available scholarships

ROBERT & JEAN ALLING SCHOLARSHIP:  One scholarship of $1,500 will be awarded to a student planning to attend a four-year college or university, based on scholarship, good citizenship, and extracurricular activities. Funds for this scholarship were provided in the estate of Jean Alling, in memory of her late husband, Robert.

LEONARD D. AULIK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: Four scholarships of $2,500 will be awarded to Lincoln graduates planning to pursue a 4-year college education. This scholarship will be awarded based on academic achievement. Funds for this scholarship were established in Leonard's memory. Leonard graduated from Lincoln High School's class of 1940. He participated in Band, Prom Committee, and the Audubon club. 

ELDRED & ALICE BERGNER SCHOLARSHIP:  One scholarship of $1,500 will be awarded to the "most improved student in the senior class” who plans to further his/her education at a technical college or 4 year college/university. Funds for this scholarship were established by the Bergner estate.

LEE BRAUNEL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: One scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded to a graduating senior who plans to pursue a degree in Elementary Education field at a University of Wisconsin system school or a Private Wisconsin college. Special consideration will be given to those individuals who have demonstrated a strong work ethic, high moral values, and experience working with youth.  Evidence of financial need and ownership for self funding of educational expenses will be considered. This scholarship is presented in honor and memory of Mr. Lee Braunel, a long time educator, and school board member within the Manitowoc Public School District. This scholarship has a separate application.

BURGER FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS:  Two scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded on the basis of scholarship and good school citizenship. Scholarships are available to any qualified senior in the upper third of the class planning to attend a four-year accredited college. The Burger Foundation Scholarship was established in 1960, by the Burger family that founded the Burger Boat Company. 

CLARENCE & BLANCHE DUENO SCHOLARSHIPS:  Five scholarships of $2,500 will be awarded to students planning to enter schooling and a career as a machinist, tool and die maker, or for related engineering training. Funds for this scholarship were provided by Mrs. Blanche Dueno, in memory of her late husband, Clarence.

RICHARD F. BRINDZA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP (BREEZY FUND): One scholarship of $675 will be awarded to a Lincoln graduate who plans to pursue a certificate or degree in the Trades at Lakeshore Technical College next fall. Funds for this scholarship were established through the Lakeshore Community Foundation in memory of Richard F. Brindza.

EVAN CLARK SCHOLARSHIP: Three scholarships of $500 will be awarded to a Lincoln female and/or male senior soccer and/or wrestler planning to attend a technical, trade school, or four year college. Funds for this scholarship were established in memory of Evan Clark, a class of 2020 alumni, Varsity Soccer player and Wrestler, who passed away in a tragic accident on June 4, 2020. This scholarship was created to keep Evan’s spirit alive and to honor his dedication to higher education and helping others. This scholarship has a separate application.

CLASS OF 1957 SCHOLARSHIP:  One scholarship of $575 will be awarded on the basis of scholarship for a student planning to attend a 2- or 4-year college in Wisconsin.  Applicants must have at least a 3.0 grade point average, and must submit an essay of 300 words or less on “I Have A Dream” in which the applicant explains their dream for their own future. Funds for this scholarship were provided by the Lincoln High School Class of 1957.

CLASS OF 1968 SCHOLARSHIP: One scholarship of $3,500 will be awarded to a student pursuing a degree in a STEM field, one scholarship of $3,500 for applicants pursuing a nursing degree, and one $3,500 scholarship for an applicant pursuing a teaching degree. Funds for this scholarship were provided by the Donald G. Gruett Revocable Trust. Don was a test pilot in the US Air Force and an entrepreneur, holding many U.S patents at Oil Rite Corporation. Don was instrumental in keeping the Manitowoc County airport active and shared several of his vintage airplanes with the community, even donating his T-34 and Stinson to the EAA.

VERA A. DUENO  SCHOLARSHIP:  Three scholarships of $2,000 will be awarded for students in the top 25% of their graduating class who plan to enter a four-year college or university.  Funds for this scholarship were provided from the estate of Vera A. Dueno.

ROBERT A. FELDE SCHOLARSHIP: One scholarship of $10,000 will be awarded to a graduating senior who has been accepted to and will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison next fall and has declared a major in either engineering or physics. This is a renewable scholarship for four years pending applicants possess and maintain a cumulative GPA of a 3.25 or higher both in their high school academics and his/her college grades. Preference shall be given first to eligible graduates whose parents do not hold a four year college degree. Secondary preference will be given on the basis of financial need.  Robert graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1957. He was a member of National Honor Society and a copy reader for the school newspaper, Flashes. Robert worked as a purchasing agent and financial manager for the Dramm Corporation in Manitowoc. Funds for this scholarship were provided from the estate of Robert A. Felde.

LEO & GRACE FRICKE SCHOLARSHIPS:  Two scholarships of $2,000 will be awarded.  The scholarship criteria include academic record and school citizenship. 

JOHN  &  MARY  GENNRICH  SCHOLARSHIP:  One scholarship of $1,500 will be awarded.  The scholarship criteria include academic record, financial need and college admission test scores.  Funds for this scholarship were provided from the estate of John and Mary Gennrich. 

HARRY  &  JEANETTE  GINZL  SCHOLARSHIP:  One scholarship of $750 for a student who will attend a college or university.  Scholastic potential and financial need make up the criteria. Funds for this scholarship were provided in the estate of Jeanette Ginzl.  Jeanette lived in Manitowoc her entire life and was very active in many community organizations.

JOHN E. RAETHER & HAROLD  E.  GRESHOLDT SCHOLARSHIPS:  Two scholarships of $1,735 each will be awarded to a student planning to attend a four-year college or university.  Criteria includes scholastic record and extracurricular activities Funds for this scholarship were provided through the "John E. Raether and Harold E. Gresholdt Scholarship Fund of Lakeshore Community Foundation." This fund was established through the estate of John E. Raether, who traveled throughout the world as a representative of a local business. Harold E. Gresholdt was the uncle of John E. Raether. Messrs. Gresholdt and Raether recognized the value of an education. 

JULIA  MATEK  GUTTMAN  SCHOLARSHIP:  One scholarship of $1,800 for a senior in the upper-half of the class planning to attend a four-year college or university.  The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic achievement and school citizenship. This scholarship was established from the estate of Anna Kettenhofen, in memory of her sister Julia Matek Guttman.

BRYAN & DARLENE HANKE SCHOLARSHIP: Two scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to a graduating Lincoln senior who has maintained a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher, with preference first given to applicants majoring in the field of health care and second to applicants planning to major in the field of Engineering. Students attending a four year college/university or technical college may apply with preference being given to students enrolling in a four year institution.

JOEL N. HOFSLUND, SR. SCHOLARSHIP: One scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded to a senior attending a four year college or university who intends to major in a Science or a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) field of study. Funds for this scholarship were provided by the estate of Lorraine Hofslund, the wife of Joel N. Hofslund, Sr. Joel graduated from Lincoln High School in the class of 1942. 

JEAN  JOHNSRUD  SCHOLARSHIP:  One scholarship of $2,000 for a student who is planning to pursue a  program of study in business education and wish to teach business education in the secondary schools, or students planning to major in business.  Funding for this scholarship was provided by the estate of Jean Johnsrud, who taught Business Education at Lincoln High School for many years.

EUNICE W. KNUTSEN SCHOLARSHIPS:  Two scholarships of $2,000 will be awarded to seniors based on scholastic achievement and school citizenship.  The scholarship stipulates that the recipient must work at least ten hours per week while attending college.  Funds for this scholarship were provided by the estate of Eunice Knutsen, a hard worker who combined a 50-year teaching career with operating a dairy farm.

DENNIS “KOZ” KOSLOSKI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:  One scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded to a senior planning on attending a college/university who has participated in both athletics and the arts during their time at Lincoln. This award is presented in memory of Dennis Kosloski, a long time physical education teacher in the Manitowoc Public School District.  Dennis was a standout athlete in high school and college and an award-winning coach within the MPSD. He was also an accomplished musician, playing multiple instruments throughout high school and all of his adult life.  In all of his endeavors in athletics and the arts, Dennis was admired for his work ethic and dedication. He is fondly remembered for the positive impact he had on the lives of many athletes as a coach and educator, and for his contributions to the local arts community.  This scholarship has a separate application.

DOUG & HELEN MOLZAHN SCHOLARSHIP: To Be Determined

COURTNEY A. LEONARD MATH SCHOLARSHIP:  One scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded to a senior who has demonstrated strong scholastic achievement in the area of math while in high school. Preference will be given to a student who plans to pursue a degree in mathematics in college. Funds for this scholarship were established as a memorial for Courtney Leonard. He was both a social studies and math teacher at Lincoln High School, while also serving as the district math department chair. He was awarded the Wisconsin state math teacher of the year from the math council. He taught at Lincoln from 1951 until his retirement in 1986. 

RUSSELL & HARRIET LIEBERT SCHOLARSHIP:  One scholarship of $2,000 for a student planning to attend a four-year college or university, based upon academic performance, citizenship, and extracurricular activities. Funds for this scholarship were provided in the estate of the Lieberts.

THEODORE & SIBYLLA PAULY FUND OF LAKESHORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION:  Four scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to Lincoln graduates who plan on pursuing a technical or four year college in the fall. Funds for this scholarship were provided by the Pauly's.

HELEN AND BILL PLUMB SCHOLARSHIP:  Two scholarships of $2500 each will be awarded to a Lincoln High School graduates. One scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a career in education, preferably early childhood ed. It could be a two year or four year program. The second scholarship will be awarded to a student interested in the agri-business field. If there are no applicants for agri-business, the scholarship will default to education.  Helen and Bill were very active in the Manitowoc community. Helen was a teacher and the director of the Cooperative Nursery School and Bill owned Plumb Orchard & Garden Supply. Both were active members in the First Presbyterian Church, singing in the choirand serving on various boards. They both enjoyed Masquers and Bill was often the master builder of the sets, while Helen served as the season ticket chair. Helen graduated from LHS in 1940 and after they married, Bill made Manitowoc his adopted town.

MANITOWOC PUBLIC  UTILITIES  SCHOLARSHIP:  One scholarship of $1,200 for a student planning to attend a four-year college or university, based upon academic performance, citizenship, and extracurricular activities.  This scholarship was established in 1990, with funds provided by Manitowoc Public Utilities, in exchange for property donated by Mr. Elmer Bleck near Lincoln High School. This Scholarship has an additional essay.  Essay prompt is 500 words about public utilities and their importance to the community.

WILLIAM  J.  RIENKS  MEMORIAL  SCHOLARSHIP:  One scholarship of $700 will be awarded to a student who plans to attend UW-Madison.  Selection will be based on academic achievement and extracurricular activities.  This scholarship was established by Ruth Rienks, in memory of her husband William, who was an agriculture teacher, guidance counselor and Guidance Department Head at Lincoln High School.

RICHARD  A.  SCHAUS  SCHOLARSHIP:  One scholarship of $700 will be awarded to a student who plans to major in the field of business.  Criteria for selection will include scholastic achievement and extracurricular activities.  Funds for this scholarship were provided by the estate of Richard Schaus.

MILDRED  M.  SCHMIDT  SCHOLARSHIPS:  Four scholarships of $2,500 will be awarded to students planning to attend a four-year college or university, based on academic record and extracurricular activities.  Funds for these scholarships were provided in the estate of Mildred Schmidt, who was a Science Teacher at Wilson Junior High for over 30 years.

THE DR. BUZZ & JUDY SCHROEDER SCHOLARSHIP: One scholarship of $1,100 will be awarded to a student pursuing post-secondary education in the medical field. The recipient must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and plan to attend an accredited four year educational institution. Funds for this scholarship were established through the Lakeshore Community Foundation. Dr. Buzz and Judy moved to Manitowoc in 1964 where Buzz worked in obstetrics at the Park Medical Center, Holy Family Memorial, and Two Rivers Community Hospital. Dr. Buzz delivered over 3,000 babies and cared for many of them into their adult lives until his retirement in 1998. Dr. Buzz passed away in 2018, but he is survived by Judy and his two children who reside in Manitowoc. 

THE DUANE SIMMONS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: One scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded to a student pursuing a degree in Education at any university or college. Special consideration will be given to individuals who have demonstrated a strong work ethic and exemplified a desire to make the world better by living with kindness. Duane Simmons worked as a School Counselor at Monroe Elementary and Lincoln High School and as a Principal at Jackson Elementary for many years. He believed strongly in the public school system, in teachers, and that all children could learn and grow. Duane passed away on August 17, 2022, but his legacy lives on. Funds for this scholarship were donated in his memory. This scholarship has a separate application.

GLENN  SMRZ SCHOLARSHIP:  One $700 scholarship will be awarded to a senior who is a good student, good citizen and has a need for financial assistance. The Smrz scholarship is made possible with funds provided in the estate of Agnes Schweigl. 

EARL & CORINNE TETZLAFF SCHOLARSHIPS:  Four scholarships of $2,000 will be awarded to students planning to attend a four year college or university.  Earl Tetzlaff was a teacher at both Washington Junior High and Lincoln High School until his retirement in June of 1968. This scholarship has been established in memory of his dedication to education and the youth of Manitowoc.

MARGARET URBANEK LUISIER SCHOLARSHIPS:  One scholarship of $4,500 and nineteen scholarships of $4,250 each will be awarded to graduating seniors of Lincoln High School who plan to pursue post-secondary education after graduation. Applicants should demonstrate that they have worked up to their academic abilities, and the scholarship committee will consider the applicant’s willingness to provide service to the community. Funds for this scholarship were provided through the “Margaret Urbanek Luisier Charitable Fund of Lakeshore Community Foundation.”  This fund was established by Margaret Urbanek Luisier in memory of her parents, Charles “Cy” and Florence Forst Urbanek.

EARL  O.  VITS  SCHOLARSHIPS:  Two scholarships valued at $1,906 each will be awarded to students planning to attend a four-year college or university.  Award is based on scholastic achievement and extracurricular activities. Mr. Vits was a great-nephew of the founder of Mirro Aluminum Company, and served on the Board of Education for nine years and was Board President for three years.

SYLVIA  DUNHAM  WEST  SCHOLARSHIPCOLLEGE:  Four scholarships of $1,600 will be awarded to students planning to attend a four-year college or university  on the basis of scholastic record, good citizenship, and extracurricular activities. The Sylvia Dunham West Scholarship programs were established in 1974 when the Manitowoc Board of Education received a substantial bequest from the estate of Sylvia Dunham West. The scholarship is presented in memory of Ms. West and her father, Charles C. West, Sr. who was one of founders of the Manitowoc Company.

SYLVIA  DUNHAM  WEST  SCHOLARSHIPVOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL:  Four scholarships of $1,200 will be awarded to students planning to attend a vocational or technical school on the basis of interest, good citizenship, and extracurricular activities. The Sylvia Dunham West Scholarship programs were established in 1974 when the Manitowoc Board of Education received a substantial bequest from the estate of Sylvia Dunham West. The scholarship is presented in memory of Ms. West and her father, Charles C. West, Sr. who was one of founders of the Manitowoc Company.

EUGENE H. & RUTH M. ZIGLINSKI SCHOLARSHIPS: Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students who are accepted to attend a college or university on a full time basis. Their college must be located in the United States and greater than 20 miles from the city of Manitowoc. Funds for this scholarship were established through the Lakeshore Community Foundation.

THE ROBERT ZILL SR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: This scholarship is in honor of Robert Zill Sr., a 1973 Lincoln graduate who went on to study business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. One scholarship of $1,500 will be awarded to a graduating senior who has been accepted to and will enroll at UW-Madison. Not only will academic qualifications be considered, but also the character and personality of the applicant. No specific major is required for this scholarship. This scholarship has a separate application.