The Community Foundation of Dunn County is pleased to open doors of educational opportunity for area students through its Academic Scholarship Program. The Community Foundation currently manages 36 different scholarship funds established by individuals, families, businesses, and organizations, including the family of funds that make up the Menomonie Area Public Schools (MAPS) Foundation and the Boyceville Education Scholarship Trust (BEST).
Throughout the month of May, scholarship fund holders and Foundation staff have awarded a total of $64,000 in academic scholarships to 74 graduating seniors across 10 area high schools. Five new scholarship funds were opened this year at the Community Foundation and have recently issued their first scholarship awards to the Class of 2019, to include:
• The Bryan “BIGS” Bignell Memorial Scholarship, which has been established by Chris and Sue Bignell in loving memory of their son, Bryan, to support graduating seniors from Menomonie who are pursuing a degree in Marketing, and who exemplify Bryan’s overall spirit, generosity, and good-hearted nature. Menomonie graduates Allison Neidermyer and Stephanie Doane were each awarded a $500 scholarship through the fund.
• The Ron Grutt Memorial Scholarship, established through an estate gift that Ron left to the Foundation, to acknowledge one Boyceville graduate who demonstrates a commitment to their education and to the Boyceville community. Boyceville graduate, Tyler Peterson, received the $850 scholarship for 2019.
• The Scot Miller Memorial Scholarship, established by Scot’s wife Bobbie Jo, provides multiple $1,000 scholarships each year to graduating seniors from Colfax, Elk Mound, and Menomonie High Schools who most live up to Scot’s example of humble leadership, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to the community. The 2019 recipients are McKenna Yingst of Colfax, Ryan Zurbuchen of Elk Mound, and both Jace Kressin and Lindsey Johnson of Menomonie High School.
• The Dr. Darrell Sharp Memorial Scholarship, formerly managed by Mondovi High School, was established by the Sharp family to memorialize his life and acknowledge the nearly 40 years Dr. Sharp served patients in the area. One scholarship is awarded each year to a graduating senior from Mondovi High School based on his/her personal integrity, scholastic achievement, and financial need. This year’s recipient is Morgan Kacures.
• The Dr. James M. Ulesich Memorial Scholarship; established by his wife Rita, to memorialize the nearly 40 years that Dr. Ulesich served the Menomonie community as an optometrist. One $1,000 scholarship is awarded each year to a Menomonie graduate who plans to pursue a degree in the health profession. The 2019 recipient is Elizabeth Williams.
The scholarship application and review process is managed through the high school guidance office of each participating school. Approved awards are paid directly to the recipient’s school of choice upon completion of the first semester, proof of enrollment in the spring semester, and are to be used for direct academic costs including tuition, fees, books or equipment costs for his/her coursework. We wish all of the scholarship recipients the best of luck with their future endeavors and congratulate the seniors of the Class of 2019 on their achievements.
About The Community Foundation of Dunn County
For over 20 years, the Community Foundation of Dunn County has enhanced the lives of all its residents by connecting donors with causes they care about and providing funding for nonprofits. Each year the Foundation partners with donors and nonprofits to make a difference, now and for the future. Visit www.cfdcunncounty.org to learn more.
