Scholarships
Tony Ruppert Scholarship Program
Tony Ruppert was a leader in voicing the position of the wastewater and well water industries and expressing our role in protecting the environment. He was a fierce advocate for MOSTCA and spent many, many hours at the Minnesota State Capitol representing our organization. He was one of the “good ‘ol guys” and he liked a good argument.
Tony ALWAYS had a black briefcase on wheels that he pulled around, stocked with documentation related to legislative bills and research that he could draw on quickly when he was up to bat. You could hear Tony coming from the thump, thump of his rolling briefcase and his signature gait. Tony was instrumental in getting the Program off the ground for onsite wastewater professionals.
To commemorate Tony Ruppert, the MOWA Board set up the Tony Ruppert Youth Scholarship Program. Every year, youth may apply for the scholarship that will be enrolled as a full-time student in post-secondary undergraduate education.
Scholarship Rules 2023:
- Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student in post-secondary undergraduate education during the 2023-24 school year.
- Applicants must be no more than 26 years old as of June 1, 2023. They must also be affiliated with MOWA in one of the following ways: MOWA Member (Individual or Company); or MOWA Member Employee (Individual or Company); or MOWA Member (Individual or Company) Employee's Child, Sibling, Grandchild, Niece/Nephew.
- Students may only win the scholarship once.
- Students must complete an application, write an essay (template provided), and provide certification of the relationship to a MOWA member or member’s employee.
Deadline to apply: September 15, 2023
2023 Tony Ruppert Scholarship Recipients
Matthew Rud is the son of Brent Rud, member of MOWA from Bemidji, MN. He is a student at the University of North Dakota majoring in Commercial Aviation. Matthew is the recipient of a $1,500 scholarship.
Nicole Beyer is the niece of Alex Pepin, member of MOWA from Blaine, MN. She is a student at University of North Dakota majoring in Aviation Safety and Operations. Nicole is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship.
Joel Nieminen is the grandson of Greg Halling, member of MOWA from Watertown, MN. He is a student at Aalto University majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Joel is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship.
Carson Nybo is the grandson of JoAnne Utecht, member of MOWA from Forest Lake, MN. He is a student at University of Minnesota-Duluth majoring in Biology. He is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship.
Avery Shinehouse-Gansen is the daughter of Jennifer Shinehouse from Belle Plaine, MN. She is a student at Iowa State University majoring in Psychology. She is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship.
Logan Capra is the son of Mike Capra, member of MOWA from Hugo, MN. He is a student at Central Lakes College majoring in Heavy Equipment Maintenance and Operation. He is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship.