WTG Achievers

Vol. 1, No. 2 September 2000 Future Mechanical Engineer Excels at MSOE About WTG quality of life of all who live now that will help her get that The 21 private, or here. A good example is the degree she covets. independent, and story of a student at of School of Like many students, she operate without taxpayer Engineering. wanted to come to MSOE support, but provide an because she knew that when invaluable public service to A work-study student she graduated, she would be Wisconsin, educating over throughout the year in the able to get a good job. 50,000 students a year. Financial Assistance Office at Countering the highly Many of Wisconsin’s best MSOE, April Schmaus has publicized “brain drain,” 58 and brightest need help to seen firsthand the needs of percent of MSOE graduates attend the of their many of the students attending work and live in Wisconsin. choice. the . However, as an independent The State of Wisconsin student with a family April Schmaus of Beloit, created the Wisconsin April considers herself one of contribution of zero, April Tuition Grant (WTG) in a junior at Milwaukee the lucky ones. With an knew she'd need a lot of 1965. Its goal is to help School of Engineering MSOE scholarship, a financial help. financially needy Wisconsin corporate scholarship, an citizens to succeed. There Financial assistance like the Engineers and Scientists of “Last year I almost had to are only enough funds Wisconsin Tuition Grant is Milwaukee scholarship, a drop out," said April. "The allocated to WTG to cover really an investment in the Wisconsin Tuition Grant, and financial aid I received has future of Wisconsin and the about half of the needy her job, April is in a position CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 students who apply every year. Each month WTG Achievers brings you Alverno College Student Prepares for success stories of two Wisconsinites for whom Pharmacy Career WTG has made a difference. ––––––––––––––––––––– application and the Free full-time job working for a WTG Achievers is Application for Federal doctor in a hospital setting. published monthly by the Student Aid (FAFSA), she had That experience led her to Wisconsin Association of no idea what type of financial Alverno. Independent Colleges and aid she would be eligible to Universities (WAICU) receive. Natalie was thrilled “I had heard so many positive 16 N. Carroll St., Suite 200 when, two weeks later, she things about Alverno’s nursing Madison, WI 53703 was awarded a Wisconsin program. My grandma 608-256-7761 Tuition Grant of $2,300, encouraged me to consider Fax 608-256-7065 [email protected] renewable for up to ten Alverno. She worked in the semesters. health-care field, and was in Dr. Rolf Wegenke contact with several Alverno President Natalie’s parents divorced nursing alumnae who spoke Dr. Mari McCarty when she was 17 years old. very highly of Alverno’s VP for Research and Natalie Szymborski of Her mom and younger sister program.” Information, Editor Milwaukee, moved up north; they Mr. David Dies a sophomore at currently live in Wausau. To save money while in VP for Public Policy Alverno College Natalie chose to stay in college, Natalie moved back Ms. Carol Hart Milwaukee with her dad and home with her dad and sister, Executive Assistant When Natalie Szymborski 19-year-old sister. A year later, who attends Mount Mary filled out Alverno’s admission Natalie left home and took a College. Because of his other CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 WTG Achievers Page 2 • September 2000

APRIL SCHMAUS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ______allowed me to attend for another year.” April has already been tapped for an internship FACT next summer with the John Deere Corporation MSOE's promising placement rate of nearly in Horicon, Wisconsin, and she is looking OF THE 100 percent and exceptional starting salaries forward to it. MONTH can only be achieved if students graduate. Like most MSOE students, April is a hard worker. Like many of the students who excel at MSOE, An MSOE degree is not easy, academically or April also gives back to the university and its Students at financially, yet she is confident she will student body. She is a peer mentor, Student Wisconsin’s private graduate. She will be the first one in her family Union Board member, and treasurer for the colleges don’t get lost to receive a bachelor’s degree. Residence Hall Association. Last year she was in the crowd. The 21 a National Association of College Activities private colleges and “Attending MSOE is giving me the opportunity representative to its 1999-2000 conference, universities in the to learn a profession that I love, and to find where MSOE students received the Best state offer small class financial stability for my family and myself,” Delegation Award. sizes (just 17 said April. “Without the Wisconsin Tuition students, on average), Grant, along with my other financial aid, I “MSOE is preparing me for success,” April guaranteeing that would not be able to get this education.” stated. I am more confident now than when I each student has a started, and I have a lot of ideas about the way In the knowledge economy, technical skills I’ll be able to use my degree. chance to participate such as those April is developing are in great fully in discussions demand and are key to prosperous, dynamic “Eventually, I would like to work on and become known careers that have a positive impact on how the developing new environmentally friendly by the professor as a world works, lives, and plays. vehicles,” said April. One can believe that she person, not a number. will make it happen.

NATALIE SZYMBORSKI CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ______financial obligations, Natalie’s dad wasn't a small hardware store in Milwaukee.” abilities rather than receiving a grade for able to pay for Natalie’s education. what I have memorized. I like attending Natalie changed her major to chemistry, a women’s college; I don’t feel “Our family’s situation did not make and plans to attend pharmacology school intimidated in my classes. The faculty college an easy option for me or my after graduation. Why didn’t she plan to are very accommodating and are easy to sisters,” Natalie explained. “We have the do her undergraduate work at the same reach when I have a question. I'm able to drive and the willingness to work, but we school where she will pursue her build a relationship with my instructors just do not have the means.” pharmacology degree? She says her and, because the class sizes are small, I decision to stay at Alverno, rather than receive so much individual attention. This is where the Wisconsin Tuition transfer to another school, was a Grant has made a difference. “Receiving deliberate choice. “I have no question that Alverno will this grant helped me to begin my prepare me for graduate school and for education at Alverno and to stay at “Alverno is the right place for my life,” she concluded. “The Wisconsin Alverno,” said Natalie. “I also work 20 undergraduate work. I wouldn't want to Tuition Grant will help position me to hours a week on- and off-campus in be anywhere else,” said Natalie. “I love give something back to the community Alverno's Academic Affairs office and at it here. I like being assessed on my when I have finished my studies.”

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