Norma Somerheiser Scholarship

The Norma Somerheiser Scholarship was created in 2018 after her death on July 18, 2018. Norma was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1952. She worked for the Lincoln Telephone Co. for 42 years.

Norma served as a Trustee of the International Foundation of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia as well as a board member of the Lincoln Chapter of AHSGR. In addition to the offices Norma held with AHSGR, she was the resident “Encyclopedia of all things German From Russia related.” She was interviewed on TV, radio, and print journalism about the Germans from Russia. Norma also wrote the docent script used at AHSGR headquarters and was part of the AHSGR Museum Work Group responsible for designing exhibits, as well as planning quilt shows, and special events.

ELIGIBILITY: Applicant must be a graduating senior or former graduate of a public or private high school in Lincoln, Nebraska, attending a 2- or 4-year college or university in Nebraska and pursuing full-time studies in agricultural occupations, construction trades (including but not limited to electrical, plumbing, auto mechanics, construction management, engineering), or health care service. Applicants must have maintained a high school GPA above 3.0 and demonstrate financial need. Recipients of this scholarship may continue receiving funding in subsequent years (up to 4 consecutive years), provided they continue to meet the criteria listed above.