UW-Whitewater alumni donate $1 million to college-bound Janesville students

January 10, 2012

In a generous gift, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater alumni Quint and Rishy Studer have donated $1 million for scholarships for Janesville high school students who attend UW-Whitewater.

The newly established Janesville Promise Fund will award $50,000 annually to graduates of Craig and Parker high schools.

"We believe in the youth and the future of Janesville, the positive direction of the school district of Janesville and the quality education provided by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater," Rishy Studer said.

The merit-based scholarships will range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are renewable for three additional years as long as students are enrolled full-time at UW-Whitewater.

"The students who receive the Janesville Promise Fund scholarship will graduate and become leaders in the community," said Richard Telfer, UW-Whitewater chancellor. "The full impact of this gift is nearly impossible to predict. But I know this much, UW-Whitewater, Janesville and southeastern Wisconsin will benefit from the Studers' generosity for many, many years."

As with all gifts, the funds are invested to increase the value of that gift and in turn create additional money for student support, said Jon Enslin, vice chancellor of university advancement. "The $1 million Studer gift will be invested and it is anticipated that the total gift will be in the $1.2 million range," he said. "An additional $200,000 can help more students at this campus. The Janesville Promise Fund is an important gift for the UW-Whitewater campus and we are grateful for the Studers' continued support."

The Studers are also encouraging others to help support the Janesville Promise Fund. Those interested in donating should contact Enslin.

Scholarship candidates must be admitted to UW-Whitewater by Feb. 1 and submit the following for consideration: two letters of recommendation from high school teachers or employers, an original essay demonstrating qualifications, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and the Janesville Promise Fund scholarship application. Materials for the June awards are due Feb. 1. Students should contact their school counselors for more information.

Karen Schulte, Janesville School District superintendent, said the district is thrilled to have this opportunity for its students. "Many students will be able to go on to postsecondary school at UW-Whitewater as a result of this generous gift. The dedication and passion the Studers have for education and the Janesville community is amazing," she said.

"I believe there is a special relationship between UW-Whitewater and the Janesville area," Telfer said. "We have a long history of collaborative support and this gift recognizes the important role that UW-Whitewater plays in the future of the Janesville area. It's a commitment that we take seriously on this campus and we are grateful for the financial support from the Studers in the continued relations between these two communities."

Quint and Rishy are longtime friends of the university. In 2008, they donated funds to build the technologically advanced Florence Kopas room in the College of Education and Professional Studies. Quint served as featured speaker at the 2006 spring commencement ceremony. After a career in hospital administration, Quint founded the Studer Group, an internationally respected healthcare consulting company. Rishy, who also worked at the Studer Group, is active in community redevelopment in the Pensacola, Fla., area. The Studers have homes in Pensacola and Janesville.

UW-Whitewater Foundation: http://www.uww.edu/foundation/