Scholarships provide boost to UW–Madison students headed abroad

Nearly 120 UW–Madison students preparing to embark on a variety of international experiences in the coming months received words of encouragement and financial support at the fall 2014 International Studies Scholarship Award Ceremony on Wednesday, December 2, at the Gordon Dining and Event Center. The event – hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of International Studies, International Internship Program, and International Academic Programs – brought together students, parents, donors, UW faculty and staff. More than $320,000 was awarded to students who will be traveling abroad for academic programs or internships. “Scholarships and financial awards are key ways to help remove the financial barriers that some students face when looking to study abroad,” says IAP Director Dan Gold, who served as master of ceremonies. “We are committed to making these wonderful opportunities for personal, academic, and professional growth accessible to all students and are grateful to all those who support these efforts.” In remarks at the event, UW–Madison Provost Sarah Mangelsdorf and alumnus Tom Sternberg, chair of the Division of International Studies External Advisory Board, reflected on their student experiences abroad. Two recent returnees – Olivia Wisden, who had an internship in England, and Trish Paskov, who studied in Peru – also shared their experiences. “With our scholarships, we try to instill the idea of ‘give back,’” Gold says. “Once students return from their transformative experiences, we expect them to follow UW–Madison’s rich tradition of sharing Wisconsin with the world, and bringing global perspectives back to campus and the greater Wisconsin community.”     Here are the scholarship descriptions and recipients recognized at the fall 2014 ceremony (view photos):  The Chou Kuo-ping Award honors the UW–Madison faculty member who taught Chinese language here in the mid-1960s and organized opportunities for students to study in Taiwan. This scholarship was created by a former student – Tom Sternberg, of White Plains, NY – to support study in Chinese-speaking countries.
  • Recipients, all studying in Hong Kong, spring 2015: Micaela Connors, of Edina, MN; Palmer Mathews, of Madison, WI; Peter Morken, of Madison, WI; Kate Noble, Lancaster WI; Vincent Yeung, of Madison, WI
Worldwide Internship Program Grants, supported by the International Internship Fund, help defray costs for students who participate in the Worldwide Internship Program in conjunction with their international internships.
  • Recipients: Tessalyn Grunke, of Dodgeville, WI, senior in International Studies and Asian Studies, interning in Ireland, with USIT, a student, youth and independent travel office; Jeremy O’Brien, of Chicago, IL, junior in Community & Nonprofit Leadership, interning in Italy with the U.S. State Department.
The Cerk Family Fund for Study Abroad, established by Norman J. and Heewon B. Cerk, to support undergraduate study abroad experiences. Norman (B.A. ‘94 in political science) regards his study abroad experience as a UW–Madison student as a factor in his success.
  • Recipients, going abroad in spring 2015: Raquel Ebbe, of Nekoosa, WI, to Australia; Mikayla Simonson, of Taylor, WI, to England
The School of Education Lois E. Hack Study Abroad Scholarship – supported by alumni – is awarded to undergraduates in the School of Education, with priority for first-time study abroad students and those participating in programs in Africa, Asia, or Latin America.
  • Recipients, going abroad in spring 2015: Kristin Kirkegaard, of Madison, WI, to South Africa; Nicholas Valdivia, of Madison, WI, to Uganda
The Joseph Elder Awards – supported by gifts from alumni, colleagues and friends to honor Professor Elder, who has served as academic director of the UW–Madison College Year in India program since 1961 – is awarded to outstanding students participating in one of the UW–Madison academic programs abroad.
  • Recipients, going abroad in spring 2015: Emma Gradian, of Stoughton, WI, to India; Catherine O’Connor, of Watertown, WI, to Argentina.
The Nave Scholarship – established in 1975 with a bequest from the estate of Cyril W. Nave, a 1918 UW business graduate who had many dealings in Latin America – is given to students studying in Latin America who have at least a 3.0 GPA and need.
  • Recipient: Sophie Rzchowski, of Madison, WI, to Chile in spring 2015.
The Morton and Lena Wax Scholarship – established by their children as a tribute to their parents – is awarded as an expression of appreciation for the excellent education family members have received at UW–Madison.
  • Recipient: Benjamin Becker, of South Milwaukee, WI, to England, spring 2015
The Wisconsin International Scholars (WISc) Program is an undergraduate honors enrichment program for students interested in global affairs, cultures, and languages. The IAP WISc Scholarship was established to support the efforts of the WISc program and encourage WISc students to participate in an overseas academic experience.
  • Recipients: Kealey Clemens, of Colgate, WI, to England, spring 2015; Megan Diermeier, of Oshkosh, WI, to Costa Rica, winter intersession 2015; Cameron Perra, of Madison, WI, to Southeast Asia, winter intersession 2015; Madison Richards, of Racine, WI, to Costa Rica, winter intersession 2015
The First-Year Interest Group (FIG) Study Abroad Scholarship – established in 2013 – provides support for students enrolled in FIGs to study abroad, and are made possible by the Schoenleber Foundation, the Pathways Student Engagement funds, and UW–Madison staff who value the benefits of study abroad.
  • Recipients, in the UW International Issues in Bioscience FIG, going to England during spring break 2015: Lexi, Argall, of Stoughton, WI; Charlee King, of Milwaukee, WI; Adrianna Nosrati, of Junction City, WI; Rachel Pope, of Hawthorn Woods, IL; Emily Terlap, of Neenah, WI; Sarah Webster, of Munster, IN
  • Recipients, in UW Ceiba Rainforest Ecology Field Expedition for First Year Students, going to Ecuador over the winter intercession 2015: Steven     Bieser, of Hartford, WI; Julia Frangul, of Geneva, IL; Nicholas Gretzon, of Green Bay, WI; Dakota Hitchner, of Luxemburg, WI; Sara Wollemann, Wauwatosa, WI; Rebekah Zerbe, of Fitchburg, WI
The ScanDesign Study Abroad Fellowship – established in 2010 by Inger and Jens Brunn of the ScanDesign Foundation, Seattle – aims to foster Danish-American relations by providing generous financial support to undergraduate and graduate students who have been accepted to study in Denmark for a semester or a full academic year through any of UW–Madison’s Danish study abroad programs.
  • Recipients, to Denmark for Academic Year 2014-15: Alexis Blakey, of Marshfield, WI; Samantha Brown, of Saint Paul, MN
  • Recipients, to Denmark, spring 2015: Victoria Atkinson, of Elkhorn, WI; Gabriela Cristobal, of Milwaukee, WI; Andrea Doll, of Cedarburg, WI; Hallie Duffy, of Madison, WI; Sarah Garr, of Sunfish Lake, MN; Alyssa Hantzsch, of Baraboo, WI; Maja Ivanovic, of Shorewood, WI; Aaryn Kealty, of Whitefish Bay, WI; Paige Lyons, of Madison, WI; Chris Nagel, of Appleton, WI; Katlynn Rodgers, of Three Lakes, WI; Lindsey Thompson, of Madison, WI; Eric Wilson, of Madison, WI
The Great People – International Studies Scholarship was created in order to make study abroad accessible and affordable.
  • Recipients, studying abroad spring 2015: Kelly Austin, of Sparta, WI, to Sweden; Nora Beckemeyer, of Lino Lakes, MN, to Ecuador; Benjamin Becker, of South Milwaukee, WI, to England; Daniel Clark, Madison, WI, to Portugal; Mariana Debernardini, of Racine, WI, to Brazil; Corey Dunham, of Middleton, WI, to Jordan; Kara Gitter, of Neenah, WI, to Netherlands; Lauren Koenig, of Madison, WI, to Singapore; Kara Kurland, of Rockville, MD, to Israel; Grant Langlois, of Madison, WI, to South Korea; Alexandra Morgan, of Hartland, WI, to Peru; Lauren Schwark, of Eagan, MN, to Sweden; Abigail Smith, of Williamsville, NY, to Ireland; Jennifer Weber, of Edina, MN, to Italy
  • Recipients, all studying in England during spring break 2015: Adrianna Nosrati, of Junction City, WI; Rachel Pope, of Hawthorn Woods, IL; Claire Viellieux, of Neenah, WI
The Study Abroad Scholars Award aims to break down the financial barriers to study abroad and to encourage students to: “Discover the world … and bring the world back to Wisconsin!” All Study Abroad Scholars must carry out a “Share Your Experience” project upon their return to campus. Some of these awards specifically target first-generation college students, those going abroad for the first time, honors students, and majors in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines.
  • Recipients, studying abroad in spring 2015 unless noted: Timothy Baerg, of Mankato, MN, to South Africa; Devon Betts, of Madison, WI, to Italy; Savannah Beyer, of Menasha, WI, to Costa Rica, Winter Intersession 2015; Melissa Bird, of Livonia, MI, to Belgium; Arwen Bleksley, of Shorewood, WI, to India, Year 2014-15; Emily Brix, of Marshfield, WI, to Spain; Amaya Bruce-Allington, of Berlin, WI, to France; Delaney Coe, of Warrenville, IL, to England; Katherine Dudenas, of Oshkosh, WI, to New Zealand; Sydny Fink, of Redgranite, WI, to England, spring break 2015; Austin Gluth, of Mc Farland, WI, to France; Megan Gray, of North St Paul, MN, to Chile; Robert Gruener, of Oak Creek, WI, to Italy; Kelly Hallowell, of Eden Prairie, MN, to England; Alexandra Hansen, of Madison, WI, to Spain; Ashley Hanson, of Hugo, MN, to England; Caitlin Hellenbrand, of Dane, WI, to Australia; McKenzie Hensen, of Verona, WI, to Spain; Spencer Hesse, of Madison, WI, to Spain; Megan Hoffman, of Apple Valley, MN, to England; Ella Jankoski, of Madison, WI, to Czech Republic; Spencer Jastrow, of Waukesha, WI, to Costa Rica; Kellie Jenkins, of Menomonee Falls, WI, to Japan; Victoria Johnson, of Hawthorn Woods, IL, to Italy; Whitney Johnson, of Hastings, MN, to Spain; Courtney Klemme, of North Mankato, MN, to Italy; Alexandra Kubiak, of Whitefish Bay, WI, to Spain; Kimberly Kuxhause, of Bayside, WI, to England; Abbie Loeser, of Oconomowoc, WI, to Mexico; Chanel Ly, of Madison, WI, to Italy; Anna Lynn, of Madison, WI, to England; Kelsey Messerschmidt, of Merrill, WI, to England; Christopher Morgan, of Madison, WI, to Ireland; Sara Moses, of Shaker Heights, OH, to Uganda; Bao Nhia Moua, of Madison, WI, to Southeast Asia, winter intersession 2015;Jeremy O’Brien, of Chicago, IL, to Italy; Asha Omar, of Madison, WI, to Uganda; Annalise Panthofer, of Stoughton, WI, to Ecuador, winter intersession 2015; Kaitlyn Pennoyer, of Hartland, WI, to Spain; Lauren Peretz, of Milwaukee, WI, to Thailand; Lydia Pincsak, of Hales Corners, WI, to Spain; Shelby Polizzi, of Crystal Lake, IL, to Spain; Demitri Price, of Cottage Grove, WI, to England; Meghan Radka, of Madison, WI, to Sweden; Aaliyah Rodgers, of Madison, WI, to Australia; Austin Ronan, of Madison, WI, to South Africa; Kayla Schmeling, of Milwaukee, WI, to Spain; Ellen Sellers, of Pewaukee, WI, to South Africa; Chia Vang, of Madison, WI, to England; Mai Tia Vang, of Madison, WI, to India; Naomi Vang, of Sheboygan, WI, to Thailand; Tou Vue, of Madison, WI, to India; Matt Williams, of Madison, WI, to Turkey; Sara Wollemann, of Wauwatosa, WI, to Ecuador, winter intersession 2015; Sara Wood, of Waukesha, WI, to Mexico; Emylee Wulf, of Sussex, WI, to France; Hana Yamahiro, of Madison, WI, to Italy; Padone Yang, of Madison, WI, to South Korea
– by Kerry G. Hill