A small ceremony Sept. 30 at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Fond du Lac campus helped honor students who will benefit from nearly $50,000 in scholarship funds.

Leaders of the UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. felt that to keep people safe and comply with protocols of safe distancing and small groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scholar and Donor Reception for students, families and donors would not be held this fall.

However, the Board of Directors still wished to honor the accomplishments of 54 student scholars by holding a brief ceremony with the students at the Fond du Lac campus Commons.

“I have been really humbled by and have a great deal of gratitude for the many donors who continue to support UWO-Fond du Lac campus and the students we serve,” said Barbara Senn, executive director of UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. “They are dedicated to the success of our students and genuinely want the best for them and for future students of the campus. Without their support and commitment, we would not be able to offer nearly $50,000 in scholarships to our local students.”

First-year student Noah Switz, of North Fond du Lac, said the scholarship he received will help pay for a large portion of his tuition. The funds will allow him to focus more on school work and alleviate some of the worry over paying for his education.

“I would really like to thank the donors and let them know how much of an impact their generous donation has made on my educational journey,” he said.

Switz plans to pursue a degree in construction management, with the hopes of someday starting his own construction company.

Olivia Holland of Fox Lake, is a sophomore who aspires to be a high school Spanish teacher and teach foreign language speakers English, if it is a need.

Holland received three scholarships.

“For me, I always want to excel in my classes, so being able to put all of my attention on them (instead of work) is a huge blessing,” she said. “If I could speak to the donors, I would express my gratitude, and even more so, how they inspire me to help other students one day. Receiving a scholarship is an honor and a blessing; I hope that one day, I will be able to give back to the community that has given so much to me.”

Berger Book Bag

In addition to the significant scholarship awards, UWO Fond du Lac Foundation facilitates the distribution of nearly $5,000 in Berger Book Bag funds to help students with the purchase of books, fees and academic supplies. The program is made possible through gifts made in memory of Joseph Berger Jr. and his father Joseph Berger Sr., who were instrumental in the establishment of the Fond du Lac campus in 1963.

Certificates of scholarship were presented by Martin Rudd, assistant chancellor for access campuses; and Cathi McGowan, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation board chair.

Senn noted that a print media campaign was done this year with the Fond du Lac Reporter and Action Advertiser publications to share photos of the student scholars with a listings of the scholarships received.

UWO Fond du Lac student scholars and their awards:

Abigail Abitz, Altrusa International of Fond du Lac Scholarship; Ivan Angelov, Bernie Jones Memorial Scholarship; Jacob Barr, Bob and Crystal Carew Scholarship; Elyssa Belling, Parks Family Scholarship, Leo and Maureen Santini Scholarship; Allen Bobadilla, Bob and Crystal Carew Scholarship, UWO-FDL Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Ericka Brincka, Richard A. Knar Scholarship; Cecilee Brookins, Soroptimist International of Fond du Lac Scholarship; Malachi Buchholz, Bob and Crystal Carew Scholarship; Richard and Joan Kleinfeldt Scholarship; Samantha Chiavetta, Bob and Crystal Carew Scholarship; UWO-Fond du Lac Art League Scholarship; Hailey Donahue, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship;

Megan Ecker, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Katie Ferguson, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Jessica Francis, Bob and Crystal Carew Scholarship; Shelby George, Bob and Crystal Carew Scholarship, Fond du Lac Noon Rotary Scholarship, UWO-Fond du Lac Multicultural Scholarship; Taeko Gruber, National Exchange Bank Foundation Scholarship; Chase Hoinacki, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Olivia Holland, Jim and Ginny Gilmore Scholarship, Matthew Koenigs Memorial Scholarship, Society Insurance Charitable Scholarship; Destiny Kappus, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Summer Kettner, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Isabelle Krumbein, Bob and Crystal Carew Scholarship;

Mira LaCrosse, George J. and Mary C. Becker Scholarship; Laurel Liska, National Exchange Bank Foundation Scholarship; Krista Loest, Fond du Lac Noon Rotary Scholarship; Andrew Loppnow, Jack Heil Scholarship, Darlene Simonson Memorial Scholarship; Natalie Lord, Bob and Crystal Carew Scholarship, Parks Family Scholarship; Kahri McCarthy, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Logan Mitchell-Samuel, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Ashley Muench, Susan M. Henken-Zibung Scholarship, Claude E. Setser Scholarship, Alliant Energy Scholarship, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Aleaya Neu, Fox Valley Savings Bank Scholarship; Society Insurance Charitable Scholarship; Joseph Nwanebi, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship;

Emma Opalewski, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Madisyn Palkowski, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Claire Petersen, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Courtney Poellot, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship, Scott Wittchow Memorial Scholarship, UWO-Fond du Lac Multicultural Scholarship; Julie Propson, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship, Sadoff Family Foundation Scholarship; Sarah Renderman, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Jaanika Rosenthal, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Noah Ryan, Bernie Jones Memorial Scholarship; Hailey Schick, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Ryan Schlosser, Bob and Crystal Carew Scholarship;

Alyssa Schwebke, Alliant Energy Scholarship, Fox Valley Savings Bank Scholarship, E.C. Kiekhaefer Scholarship; Colin Sinjakovic, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Brittany Smith, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship, Bob and Crystal Carew Scholarship; Rhonda Smith, John and Sandra Wright Scholarship; Broedy Soter, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Noah Switz, Fond du Lac Noon Rotary Scholarship;  Alyssa Tabbert, Bob and Crystal Carew Scholarship, UWO-Fond du Lac Art League Scholarship; Lyla Waranka, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship; Emily Weinberger, Bob and Crystal Carew Scholarship, Jim and Ginny Gilmore Scholarship; Athena White, National Exchange Bank Foundation Scholarship;

Josie Williamson, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Inc. Scholarship;  Shayna Wiza, Fond du Lac Noon Rotary Scholarship; Trevor Worley, UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Scholarship; Collin Yanke, Verve A Credit Union Scholarship, National Exchange Bank Foundation Scholarship.

Learn more:

• Scholarships at UWO Fond du Lac
• UWO FDL Scholarship ceremony photo gallery