WTG Achievers Vol. 8, No. 6 January 2008

About the WTG Beloit grad grateful for help of WTG

The twenty private, or academic pursuits in politics, to study ancient Greek and independent, and economics, philosophy, and philosophy. of Greek, this recent Beloit operate without taxpayer College graduate is now “I was originally interested support, but provide an applying to Ph.D. programs in in economics — in the theory invaluable public service to philosophy with the ultimate — as a hobby,” Matt says. the state, educating more than goal of becoming a college “I’ve been studying ancient 57,000 students a year. Many of professor. Greek all along. I read the Wisconsin’s best and brightest Apology in English in a Plato need financial help to attend the A self-starter from the city of seminar. I definitely want to college of their choice. Beloit, Matt arrived at Beloit keep studying Greek.” College with credits he had The State of Wisconsin created earned taking classes at a local The academic trajectory that the Wisconsin Tuition Grant Matt Bower of Beloit, a recent two-year college while in high led Matt to philosophy and (WTG) in 1965 to help qualified graduate of school. Initially, his interests Greek linked itself through Wisconsin citizens to succeed. focused on politics and theory and ideas. Professors Fully one-third of the low- Matt Bower, Class of 2007, economics. But as he began and advisors at Beloit helped income students who apply has a calm and unassuming to examine the foundations him along the way. for the WTG are turned away presence that belies his many of the thoughts and ideas in every year for lack of funds. and varied interests. With those fields, he was inspired CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Each month WTG Achievers brings you success stories of Wisconsinites for whom the WTG gives future physician assistant access WTG has made a significant difference. to diverse, rigorous experience at Marquette ––––––––––––––––––––– WTG Achievers is published program. Her experiences over a surprisingly large Muslim monthly by the Wisconsin the past three years confirmed population” at this Catholic, Association of Independent her initial impressions. Jesuit . She has been Colleges and Universities impressed by Marquette’s (WAICU), 122 W. Washington As a Muslim student, Sabahat diverse student body, and also Avenue, Madison, WI 53703- appreciates the opportunity to enjoys working with students 2718; 608-256-7761; explore her own faith, while through her involvement [email protected]. For more learning about other beliefs on with the Commuter Student information or for back issues Marquette’s campus. “Faith Association, the Student of WTG Achievers, visit our is a very big part of my life,” Association of Physician website: www.waicu.org Sabahat says. “I wanted to Assistants, and the Mock Trial go to a Jesuit institution to team. enhance my understanding Rolf Wegenke, Ph.D. Sabahat Ali of Wauwatosa, a President & CEO senior at of other religions and better Sabahat has thrived in her Mari McCarty, Ph.D. interact with different types of studies at Marquette. With a Executive Vice President Sabahat Ali was attracted people.” passion for the sciences, she Paul Nelson to Marquette University for knew right away that pursuing Senior VP for Public Policy two very different reasons: She is a member of the a biomedical sciences major its religious traditions and its Muslim Student Association was the right choice for her. strong biomedical sciences and has enjoyed “meeting CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 WTG Achievers Page 2 • January 2008

MATT BOWER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ______FACT “I really enjoyed Phil Shields, a philosophy challenge that we have forgotten or missed OF THE MONTH professor who specializes in ancient some of the best insights they had to offer.” philosophy, and Kosta Hadavas, a professor of Wisconsin lags Greek,” Matt says. His senior year, Matt studied 19th century the Midwest in the philosophers, such as Hegel, Kierkegaard, provision of means- The foundation that the ancient Greeks laid in Marx, and Nietzsche. But two of his tested student aid. philosophy is one of Matt’s favorite subjects, favorites are Heidegger and Wittgenstein. and one he finds filled with relevance to While Heidegger talked about how modern Our neighboring us today. His studies in ancient philosophy philosophers misunderstand the Greeks, states of Illinois, converged with his passion for the Greek Wittgenstein connected the philosophical level Indiana, Minnesota, language. While many may see reading ancient of language to everyday life implications. and Michigan all literature and philosophy as far removed from provide more grant current affairs and matters, Matt connects it Through classes and his relationships with dollars per full- with a modern-day mindset. professors, Matt’s college experience took him through political science, economics, and time-equivalent “The philosophical tradition has totally philosophy and Greek. But without financial undergraduate than misunderstood what the Greeks discovered aid and the Wisconsin Tuition Grant, attending does Wisconsin. when they were talking about truth,” Matt Beloit College would have been a stretch. says, echoing German philosopher Martin National Association. of Heidegger’s views. “People can still be “I probably wouldn’t have been able to go to State Student Grant and interested in the Greeks because there is the school,” Matt says. “I am very grateful.” Aid Programs

SABAHAT ALI CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ______

Once she began her classes, however, she “finally being able to see everything” not mind the hard work. Next year she realized that there were many options. in her gross anatomy course. She also will be learning strictly outside of the loves chemistry and admits that organic classroom, as the PA program requires her “I like working with people,” Sabahat chemistry, one of the most notoriously to complete several clinical internships said, so she decided on the physician difficult courses on Marquette’s campus, in various medical fields. She is looking assistant program. During her junior was one of her favorites. forward to the hands-on application of her year, she was accepted into Marquette’s studies. competitive, fast-track PA program. Sabahat says the Wisconsin Tuition After five years at Marquette, she will Grant helped to provide her with these Sabahat has narrowed her career goals graduate with both a bachelor’s degree opportunities, and she is truly grateful. down to two meaningful options. She in biomedical sciences and a master’s Now in her fourth year at Marquette, she may enter the demanding field of degree in physician assistant studies. is taking entirely graduate-level courses. neurosurgery, but would also like to make The program is rigorous, but Sabahat She has spent a lot of time studying in a difference in the elderly community, welcomes the challenge. She learned a the library this semester, but she finds so she may choose geriatric care. Either lot by working with human cadavers and her classes to be rewarding and does way, Wisconsin will reap the benefits.

Wisconsin’s Private Colleges and Universities

Alverno College Mount Mary College Milwaukee Lakeland College Sheboygan Beloit College Beloit Northland College Ashland Appleton Cardinal Stritch University Milwaukee Ripon College Ripon Marian College Fond du Lac Carroll College Waukesha St. Norbert College De Pere Marquette University Milwaukee Kenosha Silver Lake College Manitowoc Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Milwaukee Concordia University Mequon La Crosse Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee Madison Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee