The College of Nursing and Health Sciences has awarded $152,500 in academic scholarships for 2019-2020 to over 88 students including DNP, BSN-EC and BSN-MF, BSN-Completion students and pre-nursing students. Solid academic records and strong commitment to various areas of nursing service were the criteria for many of the scholarships.
Descriptions of each scholarship and this year's recipients are listed below.
John and Hilde Bacharach Scholarship
Tiffany Peterson – Rib Lake, WI
For students majoring in nursing with an emphasis in community or public health;must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Mr. Bacharach was the Director of the Eau Claire City County Health Department and Mrs. Bacharach taught German in the Foreign Language Department.
Elizabeth Barnes & Robert Fugate Memorial Scholarship
Nicole Hooper – Chippewa Falls, WI
Ellen Jacobs – Eau Claire, WI
Sari Meska – Eau Claire, WI
For outstanding and deserving students enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Dr. Nancy Fugate Woods is a graduate of our first nursing class and is the former Dean of Nursing and current Professor at the University of Washington School of Nursing. She established this scholarship in honor of her parents.
William Bartlett Native American Nursing Scholarship
Sarah Meyer – Naperville, IL
Abigail Cooley – Elk Mound, WI
Natasha Dopkins – Janesville, WI
Luke Larson – Belleville, WI
For Native American students who demonstrate professional commitment, personal integrity, and the potential for success in nursing coursework.
Bauer Built Family Health Nursing Scholarship
Kylie Olson – Holmen, WI
For students interested in family health nursing who show promise in the nursing profession. Bauer Built, through the efforts of Mr. Jerry Bauer, established this scholarship in recognition of the great need for health care professionals in Wisconsin.
William and Kathryn Bergman BSN Completion Scholarship
Arica Hernandez – New Richmond, WI
Alyssa Wozniak – Altoona, WI
For students working to complete the BSN Completion program. The scholarship is intended to support one 3-credit course and any required books, per semester.
Marjorie S. Bottoms Scholarship
Lisa Rowe-Peplinski – Wisconsin Rapids, WI
For graduate students in the nursing administration or education role preparations;in honor of Dr. Bottoms, a former Associate Dean and Educational Administrator of the School of Nursing.
Mary Jo Boyne Nursing Scholarship
Brielle Franke – Marshfield, WI
For nursing students, with preference given to students at the Marshfield campus.
Joyce M. Brown Nursing Scholarship
Paige Weymiller – La Crescent, WI
For a student in the College of Nursing with demonstrated financial need and show promise in the nursing profession. Joyce Brown attended the School of Nursing in the late sixties and treasured her time there. She went on to acquire a law degree, but her heart was always with nursing.
Helen Brunclik German Nursing Scholarship
Jennifer Mazur – Fairchild, WI
For undergraduate or graduate nursing students, with preference being given to nontraditional students. This scholarship was established by Dr. John Thurston, a long-time professor of psychology at UW-Eau Claire, and a clinical psychologist. Dr. Thurston created this scholarship in honor of Ms. Helen Brunclik German, the former Director of Nursing of the Luther Hospital nursing program.
Audrey Bryan Memorial Scholarship
Liesl Wolf – Minneapolis, MN
For graduate nursing students with a strong interest and enthusiasm for working with families with children. Dr. Bryan was a member of the School of Nursing faculty from 1987 until her death in 2001.
Andrew D and Anna Burish Nursing Scholarship
McKenna Ruzic – Neillsville, WI
For first-generation college students in nursing with strong academic records and great promise as nurses. Mr. and Mrs. Burish are first-generation college graduates (in business); Mr. Burish is one of the nation's top financial advisers. They appreciate the role nursing professionals play in our communities.
Marguerite Coffman Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Eleanor Sladek – De Pere, WI
For an undergraduate or graduate student in nursing with at least a B+ grade point average and motivation and commitment to the nursing profession. Ms. Coffman was the founding Dean of the School of Nursing and served the University from 1964-1977.
Elisabeth Coolidge Nursing Scholarship
Olivia Spiegel – Eau Claire, WI
For junior or senior undergraduate students engaged in clinical practica with great promise in the field of nursing. Preference is given for nontraditional female students. Mrs. "Bette" Coolidge was a nurse anesthetist.
Barbara David Nursing Scholarship
Lily Firkus – Stevens Point, WI
For nursing students, with preference given to students at the Marshfield campus.
Loretta Donnellan Nursing Scholarship
Pajyeeb Lo – Oshkosh, WI
For students who show academic ability and promise in nursing. This scholarship was established by Mr. David Donnellan, who was very committed to the Eau Claire community through civic affairs, and through a contribution from the Presto Foundation.
Eau Claire Student Nurses Association (ECSNA) Scholarships
Olivia Brown – Red Wing, MN (leadership role)
Nicole Willmus – Roseville, MN (study abroad)
Morgan Mcallister – Merrill, WI
Three scholarships were created: 1) For an outstanding student who has been an active Eau Claire Student Nurses Association (ECSNA) participant, preferably having served in a leadership position;2) for an outstanding student who will be participating in an international study abroad experience;and 3) for an outstanding student who shows great promise in nursing. Student recipients must be active members in ECSNA and demonstrate community service.
Tina Emerson Nursing Scholarship
Shannon Phillips – Eau Claire, WI
For graduate students who have completed at least one semester of the nursing program. Ms. Emerson was an instructor with the College until her death in 2014. One of her dreams was to earn her PhD and teach nursing. She was committed to nursing education.
Renee Foiles Nursing Scholarship
Elizabeth Handrick – Marathon WI
Brittney Munthe – Elk Mound, WI
For graduate and undergraduate nursing students. Ms. Foiles is a career-long nurse who is wishing to benefit nursing students.
Grace Lutheran Foundation Student Scholarship
Hannah Lee – Baraboo, WI
Sarah Miller – Suamico, WI
For students majoring in nursing and have a special interest and past experience in gerontology and/or long-term care.
Mary E. Granger Nursing Scholarship
Kaitlyn Behnke – Brillion, WI
For sophomore, junior, or senior full-time nursing students. Ms. Granger is a 1974 nursing graduate who is the co-owner of Comfort Keepers, which provides nursing services to individuals wishing to remain comfortably in their homes.
Dr. Harold and Helena Ray Huston Nursing Scholarship
Mallory Thies – Onalaska, WI
Megan Wimme – Roseville, MN
For nursing students with proven scholastic ability. Dr. Huston was a respected Eau Claire area physician.
Cammie B. Johnson Memorial Scholarship
Megan Jacobson – Woodville, WI
For students who are majoring in either nursing or any other medically related field. Preference will be given to nursing students. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required. These scholarships are available through an endowment that was established by the friends and family of Cammie B. Johnson and continues to be supported by the annual Cammie B. Johnson Juvenile Diabetes Concert.
Naomi and James Johnson Scholarship
Jill Hiebert – Fountain City, WI
For a student from Wisconsin admitted into the undergraduate nursing program. Julie Zerwic, who received her BSN from UW-Eau Claire in 1981, created this scholarship to honor her parents, Naomi and James Johnson.
The John M. Kildahl Family Scholarship
Melanie Buchholz – West Bend, WI
Alexa Tremble – Muskego, WI
For a full-time nursing student accepted into the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The student must be a citizen of the USA and if a junior student is not selected, the committee may make a one-year award to a senior, graduate or RN/BSN completion student.
Maj John Toivo Kallio Memorial Scholarship
Abby Hinz – Eau Claire, WI
For a full or part-time graduate student admitted to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences with emphasis in adult or family health nursing and a research or practice interest in AIDS or other terminal diseases.
Zelda and Lloyd Longridge Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Alexandra Donarski – Stevens Point, WI
Rachael Sheahan – Marshfield, WI
For undergraduate students majoring in nursing and be of junior or senior status. Preference is to be given to students from central Wisconsin. Zelda and Lloyd's son, Jerry, created this scholarship to help students who help others. Jerry credits his mother Zelda, who was a nurse in Greenwood, WI., for motivating him to attend UW-Eau Claire, which helped him throughout his life both personally and professionally.
Lopas and Cicenas Family Scholarship
Grace Odegaard – Waunakee, WI
Brittany Weber – Marshfield, WI
Gabrielle Hackmann – Manitowoc, WI
For nursing students with special preference given to Wisconsin residents with widely diverse backgrounds.
Donald and Leatrice Mathison Nursing Scholarship
Emilee Thomson – Wausau, WI (Nurse Practitioner Graduate Student Scholarship)
Gretchen Anderson – Eau Claire, WI
Kayla Dainsberg – Eau Claire, WI
Elisabeth Hampton – Baldwin, WI
Anna Perry – Baldwin, WI
Lindsay Schafer – Waukesha, WI
Jennifer Sperl – Medford, WI
For nursing students who show promise in the nursing profession and academic achievement. Mr. Mathison taught math for many years and served as the first principal of South Middle School. Mrs. Mathison was an administrative secretary in the District Office of the Eau Claire Area School District.
Mayo Clinic –Eau Claire Foundation –Nursing Scholarship
Shelby Brown – Chippewa Falls, WI
Adam Maslonka – Eau Claire, WI
Shannon Phillips – Eau Claire, WI
Allison Nowaskey – Menomonie, WI
For outstanding undergraduate or graduate nursing students with preference given to Mayo Clinic employees.
Mayo Clinic –Eau Claire Foundation–Nurse Practitioner Scholarship
Heather Cork – Eau Claire, WI
Jennifer Sperl – Medford, WI
For graduate students in the nurse practitioner role preparation who are registered for at least 7 credits for each of their final two semesters of their program.
Ardis N. McAfee Scholarship
Kym Carrier – Apple Valley, MN
Karli Olsen – Blue Earth, MN
Kayley Blaha – Whitehall, WI
Sedona Burnside – Fall Creek, WI
Cassandra Plachetka – Merrill, WI
For admitted undergraduate or graduate nursing students enrolled in the nursing program. Must have an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher and show promise in nursing.
Robert and Judith Mickelson Nursing Scholarship
Jacy Nelson – Eau Claire, WI
For nursing students of proven scholastic ability. The Mickelson's are UW-Eau Claire alums and supporters of various UW-Eau Claire programs. Mrs. Mickelson was the Evening Nurse Supervisor for the Appleton Medical Center. Mr. Mickelson was employed in communications and public relations work in Appleton at Aid Association for Lutherans, now Thrivent Insurance.
Vera Nelson Nursing Scholarship
Nicole Hooper – Chippewa Falls, WI
For compassionate and giving nursing students who are residents of Chippewa County and who plan to remain in the County following graduation. Mrs. Nelson was a kind and caring nurse at the Northern Colony in Chippewa Falls.
Rodaynah Obaid Nursing Scholarship
Maddison Beno – Eau Claire, WI
Shannon Cross – New London, WI
John Jacobson – Holmen, WI
Sarah Steinhoff – Marshfield, WI
For nursing students who exhibit high academic achievement and records of service and caring. This scholarship was established in memory of Rodaynah Obaid by her husband, Dr. Sal Obaid, a deeply respected Eau Claire physician.
RN/BSN Scholarship
Kira Gilbertson – Colfax, WI
For nurses with associate degrees who are completing their BSN degrees at UW-Eau Claire. This scholarship was established by seven RN students to acknowledge and support their nurse colleagues.
Lila Shelley Nursing Scholarship
Jessica Johnson – Eau Claire, WI
For nontraditional undergraduate nursing students in good academic standing. This scholarship was established by Dr. Timothy Shelley, an area physician, as a memorial to his wife.
Erma and Sanae Stacy Nursing Scholarship
Makenna Zurbuchen – Elk Mound, WI
For students who have been accepted into the College of Nursing with a minimum junior standing, show promise for degree completion, are persons of quality who portray a strong work ethic and who embody characteristics that will make them great representatives of the nursing profession. Michael and Sanae Stacy are long-time residents of the Eau Claire area. Michael established this scholarship as a lasting tribute to his mother, Erma, who was a nurse and his wife, Sanae, who is a nurse.
Marsha M. (Zuehlke) Steffen Class of 1969 Nursing Scholarship
Lindsey Boehm – Eau Claire, WI
For nursing students with good motivation and commitment to the nursing profession, with preference given to Eau Claire Memorial High School or Eau Claire area high school graduates. This scholarship was established by Mrs. Marsha Steffen (class of 1969, nursing) and her husband, Mr. Robert Steffen (class of 1968, business administration).
Tri-County Medical Alliance Scholarship
Rebecca Thomas – Roberts, WI
For students majoring in nursing, environmental public health, and health care administration. This scholarship was established by the Tri-County Medical Auxiliary to acknowledge the important role of health care in area Wisconsin counties.
Berniece Wagner Nursing Scholarship
Maria Becker – Monticello, MN
Nate Caves – Rochester, MN
Ashley Lind – Elk River, MN
Summer Peoples – Zimmerman, MN
Margo Eaton – Eau Claire, WI
Erin Gamb – Sheboygan, WI
Amy Konetz – Milwaukee, WI
Emily Ries – Eau Claire, WI
Rachel Stucke – Cedarburg, WI
For nursing students with academic competence, good motivation, and commitment to nursing. Ms. Wagner was one of the founding faculty members of the School of Nursing and served as the first Associate Dean.
Jeffery K. Walker Humanitarian Nursing Scholarship
Lindsey Boehm – Eau Claire, WI
For nursing students who demonstrate a commitment to community service, with preference for students from Northwestern Wisconsin. This scholarship was established in memory of Mr. Walker, a nurse who attended UW-Eau Claire.
Elaine Wendt DNP Nursing Scholarship
Chelsea DeMarre – Eau Claire, WI
For an outstanding student in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, with a preference for students with a history of supporting the nursing programs at UW-Eau Claire. Dr. L. Elaine Wendt is professor and dean emerita of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and was instrumental in helping the College obtain the entitlement to plan the DNP degree program.
Pamela and David White Nursing Scholarship
Maggie Latzig – Gleason, WI
For an undergraduate student in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences with demonstrated motivation and commitment to the nursing profession with preference being given to graduates of Amery High School or Tomahawk High School, or graduate of a public high school located in Polk County, WI.
Joan M. Wiensch Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Callie Hilbert – Barron, WI
Jenna Klemm – Medford, WI
Lindsey Kramer – Cashton, WI
Jennifer Schubkegel – Eau Claire, WI
Elizabeth Trude – Stone Lake, WI
Olivia Spiegel – Eau Claire, WI
For graduate or undergraduate nursing students, with preference being given to graduates of McDonell Central High School in Chippewa Falls, or of Chippewa Falls or Bloomer high schools. This scholarship was established in memory of Mrs. Wiensch, who served for 23 years as a school nurse in the Chippewa Falls School District.
Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Scholarship
Gabrielle Hackmann – Manitowoc, WI
Jessica Johnson – Eau Claire, WI
For students from Wisconsin family farms or from a rural Wisconsin area (population of less than 20,000) majoring in nursing or environmental public health.
Olga Wise Nursing Scholarship
Nathalie Burmeister – Chippewa Falls, WI
For nursing students, with preference given to students from Wisconsin.
Gerald D. Woldt Nursing Scholarship
Omid Razmpour – Eden Prairie, WI
Anthony Kunze – Marshfield, WI
For undergraduate and graduate students with at least a 3.2 grade point average. To increase diversity in nursing and to encourage more men to enter the profession, a preference is given for male students. Mr. Woldt, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), taught and practiced in anesthesia. He retired from the U.S. Army (which included service in Vietnam) with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1987 and from the civilian sector in 2006.
Belva M. Zwygart Gerontological Nursing Scholarship
Tasha Arndt – Chippewa Falls, WI
For admitted students in the BSN completion program who are presently working in long term health care, consisting of nursing homes, group homes for the elderly, assisted living facilities, palliative care or hospice. Applicants must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA and must be presently enrolled in at least one course in the nursing major.
