WTG Achievers

Vol. 9, No. 6 January 2009

About the WTG Carroll WTG student has a big heart, big future

The twenty private, or Alex Eisold is proud AsA a senior, independent, and to call himself the AlexA knows of operate first student nearlyn all of without taxpayer support, but in his family. “It hish biology provide an invaluable public is a big hurdle, peersp by name. service to the state, educating financially, to get “I have very more than 58,000 students a to college,” he said. closecl bonds year. Many of Wisconsin’s best With the help of the withw many of and brightest need financial help Wisconsin Tuition theseth people, to attend the college of their Grant, Alex attends sharingsh the choice. Carroll University, hardshipsh of studying biology and late-nightla study The State of Wisconsin created pre-medicine. sessionsse and the Wisconsin Tuition Grant theth euphoria Alex Eisold ofof Ottawa,Ottawa, a senior at CarrollCarroll UniversityUniversity (WTG) in 1965 to help qualified Hailing from Ottawa, of achievinga Wisconsin citizens to succeed. Alex chose Carroll personalized education where a good grade. Fully one-third of the low-income because of its location and the professors would know me I don’t think I would be students who apply for the WTG small class sizes. “I was and help me achieve my goals,” able to connect on the same are turned away every year drawn by the prospect of a he said. level if I had gone to a larger for lack of funds. Each month continued on page 2 WTG Achievers brings you success stories of Wisconsinites for whom the WTG has made a Wisconsin Tuition Grant is all in the family at MSOE significant difference. ––––––––––––––––––––– Jeremy and Matt MSOEM com- WTG Achievers is published Kundert are remark- munity.”m Jer- monthly by the Wisconsin ably similar in emy,em a junior, Association of Independent several ways. In likesli the focus Colleges and Universities addition to exhibit- ono lab work (WAICU), 122 W. Washington ing a strong physical andan Matt, a Avenue, Madison, WI 53703- resemblance, both of sophomore,so 2723; 608-256-7761; the Janesville broth- likesli the focus [email protected]. ers are studying me- ono specifi c chanical engineering majorsm early Rolf Wegenke, Ph.D. at the inin his studies. President & CEO School of Engineer- Mari McCarty, Ph.D. ing (MSOE), and ComingC to Executive Vice President both lead extremely MSOE,M Matt Paul Nelson busy lives inside and Jeremy and Matt KundertKundert, of JanesvilleJanesville, are WTG foundfoun support Senior VP for Public Policy outside the classroom. students at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. through his Jerry Huffman The two Kunderts and Matt chose MSOE is quite older brother Director of Communications are also both recipients of the understandable. Jeremy. “It was nice to have Katy Kaiser Wisconsin Tuition Grant. someone show me the ropes Public Information Coordinator Both brothers appreciate the when I got here, and it is nice The rationale of why Jeremy “dedication and drive of the to know that there is always continued on page 2 WTG Achievers Page 2 • January 2009

Alex Eisold continued from page 1 FACT school.” Alex gives back to Carroll and the undergraduate students undertaking an intense community by spending about eight hours a research or creative project during the summer OF THE week as a youth tutor at La Casa de Esperanza, a while working one-to-one with a faculty member. Waukesha organization serving the local Hispanic “It was a blast to do real research, and being MONTH population. a Pioneer Scholar added a unique element of excitement to my project,” Alex said. “It warms my heart to help youth learn and Most of the students succeed,” Alex said. He always tries to be Alex would not be where he is today without attending Wisconsin’s “friendly, courteous, and positive, no matter financial aid like the Wisconsin Tuition Grant. “I private colleges and what, because eventually everything turns out appreciate the grant because it helped me attend universities come from for the better if you are kind to others and keep Carroll, where I have gotten a quality education,” Wisconsin. Among a sense of optimism about your life.” This upbeat he said. the undergraduate demeanor, even in the face of hardship, has student body, 70% call helped him succeed in his search for scholarships With the grant, Alex does not have to work extra Wisconsin home. And and research opportunities. hours while attending school full time, so he can 30% of the out-of-state focus on his classes. Studying plant physiology students will find work Alex was awarded a Pioneer Scholars grant to or genetics in graduate school is Alex’s next in Wisconsin after perform initial plant surveys for a vegetation dream—one that is a bit closer today, thanks to graduation. study at Carroll’s outdoor research center in the Wisconsin Tuition Grant. Genesee. The Pioneer Scholars program supports Source: WAICU research archives

Jeremy and Matt Kundert continued from page 1 someone here that I can count on,” Matt in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, the ing around and they played a huge part in said. MSOE Peer Mentor Program, the Ameri- where I am today.” can Society of Mechanical Engineers, and Their similarities go far beyond their the Society of Automotive Engineers. As a portion of their fi nancial aid pack- choice of major at MSOE. They both ages, the Wisconsin Tuition Grant lets enjoy spending their time eating and Matt is involved with InterVarsity Chris- both brothers focus on their engineering socializing once a week with underprivi- tian Fellowship, the MSOE Peer Mentor studies while preparing for their future leged inner-city folks at a shared meal at Program, and the American Society of careers. Jeremy wants to work on projects St. Ben’s Community Meal. When they are Mechanical Engineers. that improve energy effi ciency. Matt, not volunteering their time, you can fi nd so far, is leaning toward hydraulics or them around campus in student organiza- Matt credits his parents with sparking materials. Both of these career choices tions. his motivation to achieve. “My parents mean the two Janesville brothers will have inspired me to do the best I can. undoubtedly have a signifi cant impact on Jeremy plays the cello for the MSOE At a young age, I didn’t really care about their world. Symphony Orchestra and is also involved school, but my parents turned my think-

Wisconsin’s Private Colleges and Universities

Alverno College Milwaukee Mount Mary College Milwaukee Lakeland College Sheboygan Beloit Northland College Ashland Appleton Cardinal Stritch University Milwaukee Ripon College Ripon Marian University Fond du Lac Carroll University Waukesha St. Norbert College De Pere 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