Daniel Nordquist Scholarship

The Daniel Nordquist Scholarship is created for students majoring in Biology or Chemistry (alternating awards between the two departments).

Criteria

1. Each recipient must be an undergraduate student enrolled full-time at Winona State University.
2. Each recipient must be classified as a junior or senior and be in good standing at Winona State University with a minimum grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.5(4.0 =A).
3. Each recipient must be a declared major in either the Biology or Chemistry program.

Biography/Motivation

Daniel Thomas Nordquist was born July 25, 1959, in Owatonna, Minnesota, the son of Thomas and Joan (Gwin) Nordquist. Daniel graduated from Owatonna High School in 1977 and chose to continue his education at Winona State University, where he earned his bachelor of science degree in chemistry and graduated summa cum laude in 1982. Dan received recognition from two national chemical organizations as the 1982 outstanding graduate in chemistry. The American Institute of Chemists award is designed to recognize seniors majoring in chemistry who have demonstrated scholarship achievement, leadership, ability, and character. The Lacrosse/Winona section of the American Chemical Society also honored Dan as the outstanding senior chemistry major. Dan went on to earn his Ph.D. in Pathobiology from the University of Minnesota in 1988.

Dr. Nordquist spent some time at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but returned to Minneapolis, Minnesota, indicating that he preferred the big city. From the summer of 1989 until the time of his death, Daniel was dedicated to research at the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroanatomy at the University of Minnesota. Information from his research was frequently published.

Family members regarded Daniel as a private individual who preferred simple things in life. He was thorough and meticulous in both work and hobbies. His interests varied and included musical talent, taking piano lessons for four years and then, while in college, teaching himself to play the flute. He also enjoyed the outdoors — hiking, biking, running and snow shoeing — as well as being an avid photographer, often using black and white film. Daniel like the Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota as well as the Eliose Butler Wildflower Garden in Minneapolis, where he became very interested in wildflowers — particularly photographing them.

Daniels family considers this scholarship to be a fitting tribute to his accomplishments and are pleased that many students will benefit from this scholarship