Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation has announced the establishment of the G. Olin Gunderson Visual Art Scholarship. This marks UWP alumnus Jerry Gunderson's third scholarship in three years, along with the Gerald O. Gunderson Natural Sciences Scholarship and the Jerry Gunderson Scholarship for Appleton West High School.

The first scholarship that Gunderson established focused on the natural sciences, and it has been awarded several times since its establishment in 2005. As a high school and middle school science teacher in both De Pere and Middleton, Gunderson has shared his interest for the natural sciences by not just teaching, but by being a presenter at seminars, publishing papers, hosting graduate students while they were doing research, helping environmental groups and restoring native prairies. With the founding of the Gerald O. Gunderson Natural Sciences Scholarship, he became able to also consider himself a financial supporter of the advancement of science education.

As a 1960 graduate of Appleton High School, Gunderson decided that his second scholarship would simultaneously give back to his high school and UWP. All graduates of Appleton West High School, incoming freshmen or otherwise, are available to receive this scholarship, with preference given to those majoring in biology, reclamation, environment and conservation, soil and crop science, chemistry, mathematics or fine arts. The Jerry Gunderson Scholarship for Appleton West High School had its first recipient, Anthony Probst, in May 2008.

Gunderson taught math and science in Wisconsin for 30 years. Though his career was based mainly in the sciences, he enjoys the visual arts, and believes that art is a very important part in a healthy society.

The G. Olin Gunderson Visual Art Scholarship will be available to all UWP students who apply to the UWP Fine Arts Department scholarships through the UWP Financial Aid Office. Preference will be given to student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in art with an emphasis in art education, comprehensive art or graphic design. If no students are available, the scholarship will be opened to any student pursuing an art minor, and if no students are yet available, the scholarship will be open to any student pursuing a music major or minor.

Anyone wanting more details on the scholarships or interested in making a contribution may contact Holly Kaiser, director of Development at the UW-Platteville Foundation at (608) 342-1879 or kaiserh@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Holly Kaiser, UW-Platteville Foundation, director of Development, (608) 342-1879, kaiserh@uwplatt.edu Written by: Ryan Werner, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, wernerr@uwplatt.edu