WTG Achievers Vol. 8, No. 2 November 2006

About the WTG Student follows mom to Carroll with aid of WTG

The twenty private, or highly of her education, and are extremely knowledgeable independent, colleges and enjoyed taking her children about their respective subjects. universities of Wisconsin on “test-drive” college visits “They love their subject and operate without taxpayer to her alma mater. Kelly teach their students to love it, support, but provide an immediately knew Carroll was too,” Kelly says. invaluable public service to the right fit for her. the state, educating more than She also takes advantage of 56,000 students a year. Many of “I knew I’d have more Carroll’s intimate campus Wisconsin’s best and brightest opportunities at a small by participating in diverse need financial help to attend the Kelly Wulff Plumb school, where the professors extracurricular activities. She college of their choice. from Beaver Dam, can get to know you,” Kelly played soccer her freshman a junior at Carroll College says. and sophomore years, but cut The State of Wisconsin back this year now that she is created the Wisconsin Tuition She is a psychology and a resident assistant. Grant (WTG) in 1965 to help Kelly Wulff Plumb of Beaver Spanish double-major and has financially needy Wisconsin Dam followed in her mother’s gotten to know two professors Kelly is a writing tutor, works citizens to succeed. Fully footsteps when she came to very well. She notes that Dr. in the registrar’s office, and one-third of the needy students Carroll College three years David Simpson, professor of wants to join InterVarsity who apply for the WTG are ago. Linda Wulff, a 1972 psychology, and Dr. Robert Christian Fellowship. She also turned away every year for lack graduate, always speaks Black, professor of Spanish, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 of funds. Each month WTG Achievers brings you success stories of Wisconsinites for whom the WTG has made a Ripon College student plans to make a difference. ––––––––––––––––––––– difference in the lives of children WTG Achievers is published monthly by the Wisconsin available at Ripon College to When looking for a college, Association of Independent further her experiences and Eliza sought a small Colleges and Universities find a path to achieve this community that would offer (WAICU), 122 W. Washington goal. opportunities similar to those Avenue, Madison, WI 53703- she had in her hometown. In 2718; 608-256-7761; Eliza graduated from Crivitz high school she was involved [email protected]. For more High School in a class of 85 with forensics, the Academic information or for back issues students. She finds Ripon Bowl (English), 4-H, band, of WTG Achievers, visit our College is larger than her and the National Honor website: www.waicu.org Eliza Cherry high school, but small enough Society. She was also on from Crivitz, a sophomore and very welcoming and Student Council, serving as Rolf Wegenke, Ph.D. at Ripon College supportive. vice president and president President & CEO for one year each. Mari McCarty, Ph.D. A sophomore from Crivitz, “The classes are small and my Executive Vice President Eliza Cherry wants to find a professors know me and care “I really wanted a small school Paul Nelson career in which she can help about how I’m doing, both somewhat close to home, in a Senior VP for Public Policy school-aged children. She in and out of class. Everyone small town with opportunities Deborah Holbrook is taking advantage of the wants me to succeed,” she VP for Communications, Editor opportunities and programs says. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 WTG Achievers Page 2 • November 2006

KELLY WULFF PLUMB CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ______FACT OF THE MONTH plays piano, a talent she has cultivated since traveled there in summer 2006 as part of her “[U]nless we begin to age nine. Spanish major. During her stay, she lived work together to lower with a “rich” family—they had hot water, a financial barriers to Kelly and her mother are the only Carroll telephone, and Internet access. “These are college enrollment and Pioneers in the Wulff Plumb family, but her everyday occurrences here in the United States, persistence..., much of siblings also attended private colleges. Kelly’s which we take for granted,” Kelly says. Kelly our considerable efforts older sister, Heidi, recently graduated from was also able to visit a school in a poorer to improve academic Augustana College in Illinois, and her brother, area of the country. “The students did not preparation, broaden early Cory, attends Carthage College in Kenosha. have enough money to buy supplies such as intervention, maximize notebooks, pens, and pencils, but they were outreach and information, “Private schools can be more expensive, excited to learn and were happy to just have the and simplify student aid but there are usually more opportunities for opportunity to receive an education. It was very forms and processes will scholarships,” Kelly says. “Carroll reaches out heartwarming.” be frustrated.” and allows students to get a quality education. With scholarships and the Wisconsin Tuition Back home, Kelly plans to be a school “Mortgaging Our Future: How Financial Barriers to College Undercut America’s Grant, I’m able to have opportunities only a psychologist. Although she has yet to begin her Global Competitiveness,” Report from school like Carroll can provide.” graduate school search, she knows she’ll stay in the Congressional Advisory Committee the area. “I like small Wisconsin towns; you’d on Student Financial Assistance to the U.S. Department of Education, One such opportunity was a six-week miss a lot of unique things if you were in a big September 2006 immersion experience in Costa Rica. Kelly city. I’m a small city kind of girl,” Kelly says.

ELIZA CHERRY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ______to be involved,” she notes. “I felt like people knew me even before I psychology than teaching.” got here,” she says. “It was good to come As a psychology and sociology double to campus as a ‘first year’ with a sense of In any event, her current activities and major, Eliza spends much of her time belonging.” future plans underscore her desire to help pursuing her studies. However, she finds others. The Wisconsin Tuition Grant is time to be active in many organizations Eliza is a first-generation college student, helping her to do just that. on campus as well: She plays flute in but has not found this to be a problem. the pep band and works with the Student “My parents were very impressed with Although she is paying her own way Media and Activities Committee, where Ripon,” she says. “The people were very through school and works as much as she served as co-chair of the homecoming friendly and helpful.” she can to pay tuition, she says the WTG organization. grant is helping her focus on campus With her degrees, Eliza plans to be a involvement and exploring issues that Eliza also participates in the Ethical school psychologist or social worker. will affect her career, and for that she is Leadership Program and is part of the very grateful. Orientation Committee to help incoming “I think I’d enjoy working in a school, first-year and transfer students adapt to but I don’t want to be a teacher,” she the Ripon campus. explains. “I’m more interested in Wisconsin’s Private Colleges and Universities

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