During nearly 19 years as executive director of the Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund, Patty Salo Downs has helped the organization grant more than $26 million in scholarships to over 1,400 northern Minnesota high school students. The joy she has felt in helping students pursue their dreams in STEM-related areas of study is what she’ll miss most when she retires on June 30.
“It’s been amazing to witness all the opportunities an Alworth scholarship has afforded our recipients,” said Salo Downs. “Whether they’re participating in study abroad, installing a water distribution system in Kenya, engaging in research and other humanitarian efforts, it’s heartening to know we helped them get their start. Although I’m retiring soon, I’ll continue to proudly watch as Alworth Scholars make future contributions to the world.”
Her work with the Alworth Foundation, which since its inception in 1949 has awarded close to $60 million to over 5,600 students, makes the founders’ family proud. Nick Alworth and Peter Alworth, descendants of the benefactors, have appreciated Salo Downs’ passion and commitment.
“After our search committee chose Patty 19 years ago, she jumped in and visited all 60 high schools the scholarship represents across our wide geographic region during her first year,” said Nick Alworth. “Her incredible passion made a positive impact on so many students. Patty has set the bar high.”
Peter Alworth added that Salo Downs always stayed true to the founders’ wishes to emphasize the sciences and mathematics.
“Patty worked with enthusiasm and encouragement of the students and alumni,” he said. “She was proud of them, calling them Alworth Scholars. Patty also felt a kinship with the benefactors. She pored over instructions they had left behind and reconciled their wishes with the changing world of education.”
That changing world of education led to Salo Downs expanding the Alworth Foundation’s outreach and marketing through social media, Zoom orientation meetings, creation of the Alworth Reporter newsletter and more than 50 videos that are on the Foundation’s website to showcase the difference scholarship recipients are making worldwide.
“It takes a village to help educate young people, and the Alworth Foundation is privileged to have a large, dedicated village of students, their families, career counselors, teachers, board members, staff and other community supporters,” said Salo Downs. “Working with them all has been an honor.”
Although she’ll soon be retired, she will continue her volunteer leadership roles for the Junior League of Duluth, Duluth Thrives, First Witness and several others. She’ll also continue teaching fiber arts at the Duluth Folk School and other venues.
Breanne Tepler will start as the new Alworth executive director on July 7. For the past 14 years, she has worked at the College of St. Scholastica in Admissions, Marketing and, recently, Career Services. In 2019, she earned a Master of Arts in Management degree with a concentration in Change Leadership and started teaching SBT 2000 Career Exploration and Planning in the Stender School as an adjunct instructor.
Prior to this, having received a Bachelor’s in Business Administration degree from UMD, Tepler worked in the areas of sales, marketing, fundraising, management and event planning.
The Alworth Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of: Marieta Johnson, president; Maggie Skelton, vice president; Eric Albrecht, treasurer; and members Kurt Brooks, Michelle Arnhold Davies, Heidi M. Hahn, Charles Black Lance and Patty Phillips.
The Alworth Fund's mission is to grant scholarships that support students going into a STEM field with high scholastic records and financial need. The Fund’s goal is to help students be successful and impactful in math, science, medical and related research. Scholarships are available to students in 60 high schools, plus those who are homeschooled, in these 10 northern Minnesota counties: Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Lake, Itasca, Koochiching and St Louis.
Additional information about the Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund, including how to apply for future scholarships, is at www.AlworthScholarship.org.
