Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation announces the establishment of the Ralph Family Scholarship Fund. The fund will lead to the development of an endowed scholarship that will be awarded to mechanical, electrical or civil engineering students.

The three majors were selected to honor the founders of the scholarship, who are the most recent UWP graduates of the Ralph family. Erin E. Ralph, who graduated in December of 2003 with a mechanical engineering degree, is now a cab product design engineer at John Deere Construction and Forestry Division in Dubuque, Iowa. Jennifer K. Ralph (Schmidt), a May 2002 graduate in civil engineering, is a structural engineer at Hanson Professional Services Inc. in Rockford, Ill. Wes Ralph, a December 2000 graduate in electrical engineering, has held a number of positions at Hamilton Sundstrand Aerospace in Rockford, Ill., and is currently serving as a business development manager for the electrical systems division.

The scholarship is also meant to honor those members of the Ralph family who have graduated from UWP in the past, such as the three founders' grandfather, Guy C. Ralph, who encouraged each in his or her education.

Erin related her own experience in receiving financial aid and how it influenced her desire to start a scholarship fund.

"As a student who received scholarships to finance my education at UW-Platteville, I understand how rewarding it is to receive such aid. For the future of UWP graduates, the Ralph Family Scholarship is meant to reward, assist and encourage outstanding students," Erin said.

The scholarship will be given to a student majoring in mechanical, electrical or civil engineering with a 3.25 GPA or better and in good academic standing with the university. The qualified candidate must also have completed his or her junior year at UWP, be involved in extracurricular activities and have demonstrated leadership.

Angie Gasior, EMS development officer, found it refreshing to have three alumni such as the Ralph's create a scholarship fund.

"It is wonderful to have young alumni take such an active and important role with helping out current UW-Platteville students. The Ralph Family Scholarship not only gives aid to a student, but also demonstrates the impact our alumni can provide," said Gasior.

Anyone seeking more information about this scholarship may contact Angie Gasior at (608) 342-1231 or by e-mail at gasiora@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Angie Gasior, EMS development officer, (608) 342-1231,gasiora@uwplatt.edu Written by: Megan Mowry, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194,mowryme@uwplatt.edu