Alumni couple endows Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship

A Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship at UW-Eau Claire will be endowed (permanently funded) through a $25,000 pledge from James and Holly Trester, Dallas, Texas. Each year $1,000 from interest earned in the Tresters’ WAES fund will be matched by state funds to provide a $2,250 scholarship to a top graduate from one of Wisconsin’s high schools who chooses to attend UW-Eau Claire. WAES scholarships are renewable for up to four years and are a way to keep Wisconsin’s best and brightest in the state, contributing to its healthy future. James Trester graduated from UW-Eau Claire in 1983 with a degree in accounting. Holly Trester, a 1984 UW-Eau Claire graduate, earned a degree in computer science and math.

Q&A with Jim and Holly Trester:

Occupations: Jim is a principal with Ryan & Company, working from the company’s corporate headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Ryan & Company is the nation’s largest independent consulting firm, specializing in state and local taxes. Holly works part-time as an administrative assistant for Resurrection Lutheran Church, and her full-time job is as a stay-at-home mom, raising Nicole (now 14) and Christina (now 12).

UW-Eau Claire connection: We met at UW-Eau Claire and were married in Eau Claire; therefore the city and the university will always hold a special place in our hearts. Some of our dearest friends in life we met in college.

Jim graduated from UW-Eau Claire in 1983 with a degree in accounting. Holly is a 1984 graduate and majored in computer science and math. Each year, Jim speaks at universities across the nation about the benefits of a career in state and local taxation. He spoke to UW-Eau Claire’s Student Accounting Society in March 2003. His firm also started recruiting from UW-Eau Claire in spring 2003.

Why we support UW-Eau Claire and its Fulfilling the Promise of Excellence campaign: That’s easy. There is no doubt in our minds that the success we have both achieved in life is largely due to the education we received at UW-Eau Claire. We are firm believers that higher education is essential in today’s society and support the UW-Eau Claire Foundation by funding scholarships. What better way is there to return the fruits of our education than to allow that opportunity to an individual who has worked hard on their education but does not have the wherewithal to attend college?

What we hope will be the impact of our contributions: We sincerely hope that the bright individuals who benefit from these scholarship funds go on to be successful in life and use their education to make a meaningful difference in our world.

Why we believe in financially supporting causes that are important to us: As Christians, we understand that everything we possess in this world is a gift from God. God has enriched our lives with many blessings. As such, it is our desire that we return our first fruits to the Lord. Holly and I spend a great deal of time discussing how to use these gifts and strive to make the best use of them.

Why we would encourage others thinking about making a gift: Unfortunately, society has become more self-centered and many of us really don’t care about making this a better world. “Someone else will take care of it” seems to be the norm, but we believe that we all are called to serve one another. What many fail to understand is that there is great personal satisfaction and well-being that we receive by giving of ourselves to others. When we give, it is not painful but rather brings joy to our hearts.

Read more donor and recipient stories.