Significance of scholarships stressed at Regents lunch at UW-Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE - How important are scholarships?

“There is no greater feeling,” said UWM senior and scholarship recipient Twanna Watson, “than to know that someone sees such great potential in you and has such confidence that they are willing to invest so much in your college education without even knowing you personally.”

Watson and fellow UWM scholarship recipient Zachary Correa delivered similar messages about the significance of scholarships during the June 10 UW System Board of Regents luncheon at UW-Milwaukee.

“I find it difficult to put into words how much of a tremendous effect it has had,” said Correa, a School of Business Administration sophomore. “Without my scholarship, my education would have been limited, and I would not be standing before you today.”

Their remarks to the Regents were introduced by Milwaukee business executive Art Smith, who is a co-chair of the university’s current scholarship campaign.

“Today, a college student needs to work full time for five months to earn enough for tuition. Wisconsin summers just aren’t that long,” Smith said. “It’s no wonder, then, that 75% of UWM students have a job while attending school and that the average debt of a graduating bachelor’s degree recipient is $17,605.”

During the lunch, Regents were treated to a performance of the UWM Men of Song, a choral group from the university’s Milton and Lillian Peck School of the Arts. A highlight of the performance was their rendition of “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” sung from bended knee, to retiring UW System President Katharine Lyall.

Incoming UWM Chancellor Carlos Santiago also presented Lyall with a proclamation thanking her for her leadership to further the international stature of the UW System and support to make UWM’s Milwaukee Idea a reality.

A summary of the day's activities at the Board of Regents Meeting can be found at http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2004/r040610.htm

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