Blandin accepting scholarship program applications

Blandin Paper Co. is accepting applications for the Blandin Paper Co. Scholarship Program for the news-2001 academic year. The deadline for accepting applications is Friday, Jan. 21.

"We've made some changes in the program," said Jim Kosak, manager, organizational development. "We're broadening the geographic eligibility criteria to include five additional communities, including Duluth. We are also changing the mix of scholarships we'll award next year, and we are linking the scholarships to the students' willingness to accept a paid internship at the mill next summer. Finally, we have agreed to accept applications from area students who are entering their sophomore year in college, whereas last year we accepted only applications from people who had completed a minimum of two years of college."

Blandin's scholarship program has two objectives:

-- To encourage students to consider fields of study where we intend to strengthen core competencies within our company.

-- To encourage students from northern Minnesota to consider the paper industry at a potential career opportunity.

Ten scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded for the news-2001 academic year (three in engineering; three in paper science and engineering; two in computer science or information technology; one in forestry; and one in business, finance or marketing). In addition, recipients of the 1999-news scholarships will be invited to renew their scholarships. Any student accepting a scholarship will be expected to work as an intern at the paper mill during the summer of news.

The eligibility requirements are:

-- Successful completion of at least one year of college or university program with a declared major in one of the following fields of study -- forestry, computer science, paper science/engineering, engineering, and finance/business/marketing).

-- Graduation from a high school in Blandin's "wood basket" (listed below).

-- A minimum 3.0 grade point average.

Applicants must have graduated from one of these high schools: Aitkin, Albrook, Babbitt/Embarrass, Barnum, Bemidji, Bigfalls/Littlefork, Blackduck, Brainerd, Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig, Carlton, Cass Lake, Cherry, Chisholm, Cloquet.

Cook, Cotton, Cromwell, Crosby-Ironton, Deer River, Duluth, Ely, Eveleth-Gilbert, Esko, Floodwood, Grand Marais, Grand Rapids, Greenway, Hermantown, Hibbing, Hill City.

International Falls, Kelliher, LaPorte, McGregor, Mesabi East, Nashwauk-Keewatin, Northome, Orr, Proctor, Remer, Silver Bay, Toivola-Meadowlands, Tower/Soudan, Two Harbors, Virginia/Mountain Iron/Buhl, Walker.

Applicants will be expected to complete a brief essay, include two letters of reference and submit a copy of their most recent college transcript.

For information or to receive an application, contact Anne Erola at Blandin Paper Company in Grand Rapids at 327-6667.