Frances Baertschi Female Vocal Music Scholarship

Scholarship Criteria:

At the time of the award, eligible student recipients shall be enrolled as full-time students. Students should be majoring in Vocal Music, Music Performance, general Music, or Music Education with an emphasis in voice. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0, and demonstrate excellence in singing performance. Awards are made according to Music Department procedures. The scholarship is awarded during the spring semester as a culmination of the student’s hard work and accomplishment throughout the academic year.

Scholarship Story:

The Frances Baertschi Female Vocal Music Scholarship was established in 2003 to honor the life and legacy of Frances E. Baertschi Moodie, whose love for music and desire to encourage future generations of musicians continue to impact students at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul.

Following Frances' passing in April 2003, her family chose to honor her memory through a scholarship benefiting vocal music students. In accordance with Frances's wishes, memorial gifts were directed to the Northwestern music program to create a scholarship that would provide meaningful support to talented young singers. As her daughter Carol wrote at the time, Frances wanted the resources from her estate to benefit someone else and “do some good in a concrete way.”

Frances was the wife of Rev. Walter Baertschi and a devoted mother, grandmother, and follower of Christ. Her family remembers her with deep gratitude and celebrates the faith that shaped her life. Though her loved ones greatly missed her presence, they found comfort in her enduring hope in Christ and the legacy she left behind.

The scholarship reflects Frances’s appreciation for music and the important role it plays in worship, service, and the life of the church. To honor that passion, the scholarship is awarded to female students who demonstrate excellence in vocal performance while pursuing studies in music. The scholarship recognizes not only talent and achievement, but also the discipline and commitment required to develop one’s musical gifts.

Carol Eikum, together with her husband Gary, has faithfully continued the family’s involvement with the scholarship. Today, the Frances Baertschi Female Vocal Music Scholarship continues to celebrate excellence in vocal music while honoring a woman whose generosity and love for music continue to bless students. Through this scholarship, Frances’ legacy lives on in the voices and lives of the students who receive its support.