Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently announced the establishment of the Alliant Energy Foundation 5x5x5 Scholarship for Under-Represented Students. Five scholarships for $1,000 will be awarded per year for five years.

The scholarship will be awarded to graduating high school seniors enrolled at UWP as full-time students in the fall semester. The student must represent a historically under-represented group within the UWP student population and be from an area where Alliant Energy has a presence.

"We are delighted to help provide deserving young people with financial assistance to continue their education at UW-Platteville," said Marty Fox, executive director of the Alliant Energy Foundation. "Our foundation strongly believes in supporting diversity within educational institutions and within the future workforce."

"I think [this scholarship] represents the university's desire to increase the number of under-represented students on campus," added Holly Kaiser, UWP Foundation development officer. "The students that receive this scholarship will enjoy a very unique relationship with the Alliant Energy Foundation throughout their college careers. This scholarship will be much more than financial assistance."

The recipients must declare majors in accounting, agricultural education, agri-business, business administration, communication technologies, comprehensive business, computer science or engineering. Academic criteria for consideration include an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. Financial need will also be considered in the selection process.

"Our relationship with companies is very important to meet the university╒s goal of graduating a successful, well-rounded workforce. We are able to match a company╒s needs with our needs and find a solution that will benefit future UWP students," Kaiser said. "Our relationship with the Alliant Energy Foundation is one of a kind and I look forward to the future of this scholarship program."

With the rising cost of college, more and more students are in need of financial assistance to be able to attend. In particular, students from historically underrepresented groups, Carlos Wiley, Multicultural Educational Resource Center director, said. "I believe this scholarship will help those students and make UWP an option for their future education."

The Alliant Energy Foundation is a philanthropic organization created by Alliant Energy Corporation and is operated as a separate entity led by its own board of directors. The foundation is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where Alliant Energy employees, retirees and customers live and work. The foundation, which is funded solely by the Alliant Energy shareowners, seeks to further the corporation╒s goals of being a good corporate citizen and contributing member of society.

Scholarship awards for 2008-09 will be made in the spring. Anyone interested in learning more about the scholarships, selection criteria or deadlines may contact the UWP Foundation at (608) 342-1186.

Contact: Holly Kaiser, UWP Foundation Office, (608) 342-1879, kaiserh@uwplatt.edu Written by: Kolina Stieber, UWP Office of Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, stieberk@uwplatt.edu