College scholarships for financially needy students

The MWE Scholarship Fund was established by Dr. Michael W. Emmerich in 2015. Dr. Emmerich was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota and moved with his parents to Carrington, North Dakota as a small boy. After graduation from High School in Carrington, Michael attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. From there, he entered Optometry School at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. He graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1969, and moved back to Grand Forks, North Dakota. Dr. Emmerich, along with Dr. Calvin Rustad, Dr. Loren Hendrickson and Dr. Quentin Haroldson established a new eye clinic on the south end of Grand Forks next to the Cinema Theatre, (what is now the WDAZ building). They named the eye clinic, Valley Vision Clinic. The Clinic opened its doors on April 1, 1970..

Mike Emmerich

Dr. Emmerich practiced Optometry at Valley Vision Clinic from April 1, 1970 until he retired on April 21, 2015. Shortly thereafter he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and died on June 17th, 2015. In his will, Dr. Emmerich established the MWE Scholarship Fund. This fund is designated to provide scholarship funding for college for financially needy students from Grand Forks and Carrington North Dakota. Dr. Emmerich has left us a remarkable gift. He believed that obtaining a post graduate education was of utmost importance, whether it be an accountant, doctor, plumber, electrician, cosmetologist, etc. He believed that everyone should have the ability to develop some skill in order that they may be financially independent. What a legacy to leave behind. Truly, a gift, from someone who never had a family of his own.