Dorene Bruns Scholarship
Overview
Scholarship Description:
We established this scholarship in honor of our sister and aunt, Dorene Bruns, whose life was a testament to curiosity, resilience, and joy. Dorene began her journey in the Dental Assistant Program at the University of Minnesota, launching a career that evolved from clinical work to teaching and ultimately earning her Bachelor’s Degree in her mid-50s in 2001. Her adventurous spirit led her to buy homes, travel widely, embrace culture, volunteer, and build deep connections across every stage of life. Guided by her belief to “learn something new every day,” Dorene lived fully—retiring in 2006, continuing to explore, and contributing meaningfully to her community. Even when faced with cancer, she met it on her own terms, leaving us in 2025 with grace and strength. This scholarship celebrates her legacy of lifelong learning and her unwavering commitment to growth and friendship.
Awards average $1,000.
Eligibility Criteria:
Be officially admitted to Metropolitan State University by scholarship application deadline date
You must be an undergraduate student.
Must be in the College of Individualized Studies.
Must be returning to school to make a career change
Must submit an essay
Complete “Student Certification and Consent” form
Essay Question:
Please submit an essay (minimum of 250 words) addressing the following essay topic:
Describe your career change and reason to return to school for a career change.
· Metro State’s Writing Center tutors will be happy to consult with you on your scholarship essay. You may schedule an appointment by logging into your D2L homepage and selecting the “CAE Tutoring” link, or going directly to https://mymetrostate.edu/my-apps/schedule-tutoring. Once there, you can schedule, modify, and cancel your appointments. All appointments (face-to-face, Zoom, and eTutorials) are scheduled through the online system. Be sure the requirements for the scholarship(s) you are applying for are available when you work with them. Call 651-793-1460 or email centerfolk@metrostate.edu if you have questions or difficulties with the online scheduling.
Qualifications
College
Class
Are you returning to school to make a career change?