UW-Whitewater junior awarded national academic scholarship
November 03, 2014
When Chelsey Schoenberger answered the phone call, her mother had good news and bad news.
"She said, ‘The bad news is you have paperwork to fill out, but the good news is you just received $6,000,'" Schoenberger said. "She cried while telling me because she was so proud of my accomplishment."
Schoenberger, a junior social work major from Beaver Dam, is the winner of the prestigious Herb Songer Scholarship.
The scholarship is awarded by Phi Eta Sigma, the nation's largest honor society for first-year college and university students. The organization's mission is to encourage and reward academic excellence among students in institutions of higher learning. Students qualify for Phi Eta Sigma based on their GPA after their freshman year, and are inducted in their sophomore year.
As the 2014 nominee, Schoenberger was one of 36 recipients among hundreds of applicants representing more than 200 colleges and universities in the United States.
While Schoenberger has thrived in academics during her time at UW-Whitewater, she understands that a support system is vital to her success, both on campus and at home.
Schoenberger says her parents are her main inspiration because she would not be at UW-Whitewater without their support.
"Since I am a first-generation college student and an only child, I believe that when I receive my degree, I am also receiving it for them," Schoenberger said. "Every step of the way, they have been my number-one support system and I know they will always be here for me."
Schoenberger hopes to help other students apply for honors like this so they can feel the same joy she received from this scholarship, she said.
"I feel that UW-Whitewater has a great support system," Schoenberger said. "The atmosphere on campus makes students feel welcome and ready to succeed."
The executive board of the UW-Whitewater Phi Eta Sigma chapter selected six members to submit applications for the scholarship, with the board choosing one to apply for the national honor.
"The UW-Whitewater chapter of Phi Eta Sigma recognizes and encourages academic excellence among our underclassmen," said Elizabeth Kim, faculty adviser for the organization and director of the University Honors Program. "If a student wants to be considered for this kind of high honor, they must be willing to work hard to achieve high academic marks and model exemplary citizenship and leadership."
Schoenberger, an Honors students, is also a lead peer mentor through the First Year Experience Office and president of Empower, an organization that focuses on fundraising to help entrepreneurs and communities across the globe.
-- Written by Jonathan Fera