School of Business & Economics students awarded scholarships

The UW-Stevens Point School of Business and Economics handed out 18 scholarships to 44 students as well as multiple awards to students and faculty at its 2016 Awards Reception sponsored by Associated Bank Friday, May 6 in the Dreyfus University Center Laird Room. [Photo Gallery]

John C. Seramur Economics and Business Scholarships
This scholarship was made possible by a substantial endowment from John C. Seramur, President of what was then called First Financial Savings and Loan Association–now known as Associated Bank. The scholarship was established to recognize the high scholastic achievement and potential of economics and business majors at UWSP.

• Alissa Barth from Marshfield, Wis., is double majoring in accounting and business administration. Alissa is a member of the Heart of Wisconsin Chapter of Institute of Management Accountants and volunteers for the Children Conquering Cancer Picnic.
• Devin Dean from Stevens Point, Wis., is double majoring in accounting and business administration. Devin is a volunteer income tax assistance at VITA and a Tutor in math and science for the Tutor Learning Center.
• Mackenzie Gosh from Amherst Junction, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in management and minoring in accounting. Mackenzie volunteers with Special Olympics Wisconsin and UP 200. She also volunteers at the Waupaca Humane Society and is a member of the UWSP Student Legal Society.
• Frank Malik from Stevens Point, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in management and minoring in economics. Frank is a member of the UWSP Society for Human Resources Management, International Club and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
• Mitchell Martin from Marshfield, Wis., is double majoring in accounting and business administration. Mitchell is a volunteer financial coach through the Financial Literacy Association.
• Brenna Mikula from Wausau, Wis., is majoring in business administration and minoring in accounting. Brenna is a member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and volunteers with Kids Conquering Cancer. She is also a volunteer for Relay for Life, Stuff the Bus, Salvation Army, Make a Difference Day and Badger State Games.
• Tiffany Stargardt from Marshfield, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in management and is minoring in communication. Tiffany is a member of Love Your Melon and the UWSP women’s volleyball team.
• Alexandra Schneider from Horicon, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in Spanish. Alexandra volunteers at the Casa Guadalupe Education Center in West Bend, Wis., and is a member of Colleges Against Cancer.
• Marissa Warzynski from Almond, Wis., is double majoring in accounting and business administration, and minoring in computer information systems. Marissa volunteers with Community Industries Corporation and St. Maximillian Kolbe. She also participates with intramural sports.

Business Advisory Council Scholarship
The School of Business and Economics Business Advisory Council (BAC) members are executive management level leaders from various industries. The BAC members partner with SBE to keep our programs relevant to the needs of regional organizations – our external stakeholders. Through the generous contributions of our BAC members listed on page 20, we are able to award scholarships to our talented students.

• Alissa Barth from Marshfield, Wis., is double majoring in accounting and business administration. Alissa is a member of the Heart of Wisconsin Chapter of Institute of Management Accountants and volunteers for the Children Conquering Cancer Picnic.
• Leah Coenen from Little Chute, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing.
• Bridget Culbert from Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing and minoring in communication, arts management and psychology.
• Reann Dvorscek from Salem, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing and minoring in Spanish. Reann is the public liaison for Pointers with Passports and a member of the UWSP cheer and stunt team. She is also a volunteer teacher for Centro de Esperanza Infantil.
• Eric Hesse from Tomahawk, Wis., is double majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing and economics.
• Danielle Macareno from Kenosha, Wis., is majoring in business administration and minoring in Spanish.
• Mike Molden from Iola, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in finance, insurance and real estate. Mike is a member of the UWSP Sport Taekwondo Club.
• Franciscus Peters from Naperville, Ill., is double majoring in economics and business administration with a concentration in finance, insurance and real estate. Franciscus is a member of the Financial Literacy Association, the UWSP Lions Club and the UWSP swim team.
• Miranda Resch from Hatley, Wis., is double majoring in Spanish and business administration with a concentration in finance, insurance and real estate. Miranda is a leadership facilitator for Habitudes and head of event coordinating for Heartland Leadership Initiative.
• Jordan Stuart from Rhinelander, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in international business and is minoring in military science. Jordan is a member of the UWSP Army ROTC, National Society of Leadership and Success, and UWSP Ranger Challenge Club.
• Zachary Urness from Mondovi, Wis., is double majoring in economics and mathematics with actuarial emphasis, and minoring in business administration. Zachary is a member of Sigma Alpha Pi and National Society of Leadership and Success. He is also captain of his intramural basketball team on campus.
• Jodi Vanderford from Kenosha, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in management. Jodi is a member of the UWSP softball team and women’s swimming and diving team.

Carl N. Jacobs and Sentry Insurance Scholarship
Sentry Insurance provides the School of Business and Economics with a generous annual grant for scholarships. Originally, the scholarships mentioned Sentry alone; later Carl Jacobs was also named. Mr. Jacobs was the son of the founder and CEO of Sentry Insurance. Over the years, countless business and economics interns and graduates have pursued their careers at Sentry Insurance.

• Mitchell Groeschl from De Pere, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in finance, insurance and real estate, and minoring in economics. Mitchell is a member of the Financial Literacy Association and National Society of Leadership and Success. He also participates in intramural sports.
• Gannon Harris from Menasha, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing and minoring in economics.
• Kyle Kuzynski from Mosinee, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Kyle is a peer adviser for the School of Business and Economics. He is also a Stevens Point Youth Area Football referee and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Scholarship
Representing more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. The society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China and India. The UWSP student Chapter of SHRM has established a scholarship to promote the study of Human Resource Management at UWSP and reward those students who have demonstrated an interest in the subject.

• Saki Lee from Chiba, Japan, is double majoring in accounting and business administration with a concentration in finance, insurance and real estate. Saki is the treasurer and web weaver for UWSP’s Society for Human Resources Management and a member of the UWSP International Club.
• Frank Malik from Stevens Point, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in management and minoring in economics. Frank is a member of the UWSP Society for Human Resources Management, International Club and National Society of Leadership and Success.

Northwestern Mutual Bob “Rap” Taylor Scholarships
Northwestern Mutual has a long history of tradition and in keeping with that tradition has established the Northwestern Mutual – Bob ‘Rap’ Taylor Scholarship in 2010 to not only support higher education of others but to honor Robert T. Taylor who served as a managing director for the Stevens Point area from 1974-2008. During his 34 years as managing director, Bob not only grew his personal practice in the financial services industry by qualifying for Million Dollar Roundtable every year but also took time from his practice to mentor 58 college interns while raising his family in Stevens Point. Bob’s commitment to grow young professionals resulted in several interns becoming some of the most productive in the company, and while some interns moved on to other successful careers, they’ve continually thanked Bob for having spent his time providing guidance during their time at Northwestern Mutual. Bob’s values, passion for learning, and endless pursuit of excellence exemplified during his tenure as managing director is what makes every person in their community hopeful that tomorrow will be better than yesterday. Although Bob has stepped down from the managing director role, he continues to work with his clientele, and along with his wife Mary, continue to support the Stevens Point community.

• Joshua Daley from Pittsburg, Pa., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Joshua is a member of the NCAA national championship men’s hockey team and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
• Evan Dixon from Novi, Mich., is majoring in business administration with concentrations in marketing and finance, insurance and real estate. Evan is a member of the NCAA national championship men’s hockey team and volunteers for the youth hockey programs. He is also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
• Kyle Tamboli from Germantown, Wis., is double majoring in accounting and business administration with a concentration in finance, insurance and real estate. Kyle is the cofounder and vice president of finance for the Entrepreneurship Club and a member of the Lacrosse Club.

W.B. Greaton Scholarship
Wilson B. (Bart) Greaton, Sr., was born and raised in New Richmond, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls before completing the La Salle correspondent course in accounting. He worked at the First National Bank of New Richmond for 10 years and moved to Junction City in 1939 where he joined the Junction State Bank. He became president of the bank in 1957 and was Chairman of the Board at the time of his death in 1983. Mr. Greaton was progressive in his leadership and banking procedures and influential in starting installment loan policies. The W.B. Greaton Scholarship was established by Mr. Greaton’s wife, Evelyn S. Greaton. The scholarship was established to encourage young students to achieve their goals in the field of business. The Greatons’ children, Kathryn Wohlbier of Junction City and Wilson Greaton of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., continue to support this scholarship.

• Nicholas Plaski from Junction City, Wis., is majoring in economics and minoring in Spanish.
• Zachary Szprejda from Pembine, Wis., is double majoring in accounting and business administration, and is minoring in economics. Zachary is the president of CRU, the Pray-Sims Bible Study Leader, treasurer for the Financial Literacy Association, and the Becker Campus ambassador. He is also a Woodlands Church Youth Group mentor and a supplementary instructor of calculus for the Tutoring-Learning Center.

Randy and Patricia Cray Scholarship for Academic Achievement
Randy Cray is the chief economist at the Central Wisconsin Economic Research Bureau at UWSP. He served as chair of the School of Business and Economics from 1995-2001. He is also a professor of economics and teaches in the areas of monetary economics and finance. Cray has been recognized numerous times by the School of Business and Economics at UWSP for his research and community/university service. He has published in a number of scholarly journals and over two hundred Quarterly Economic Indicator reports for Marathon, Portage, and Wood counties. Cray is a frequent speaker at professional conferences and is regularly interviewed by regional newspapers, radio, and television stations on matters pertaining to the economy.

Patricia Cray retired as a financial specialist at the UWSP Library in 2014. Currently she volunteers one afternoon each week in St. Michael’s Hospital Pace Program, escorting patients who need assistance getting to their doctor appointments and providing wheelchair service to patients being discharged. Also, Patricia enjoys volunteering two afternoons a week at the community’s food pantry (Operation Bootstrap). Helping others is very rewarding to her.

• Kaleb Matz from Weston, Wis., is double majoring in business administration and economics. Kaleb is a member of the UWSP Paintball Club.

Gordon Haferbecker Scholarship
Gordon Haferbecker was an economics professor for 10 years at UW-Milwaukee beginning in 1946. He received his doctorate in economics from UW-Madison in 1952. He began a long affiliation with UWSP in 1956 when he was appointed dean of instruction, the number-two administrative post. The position later became Vice-Chancellor for academic affairs and he held it until returning to full-time teaching as a professor of economics in 1974. He served as acting president of the university several times. When Haferbecker moved from administration to teaching in 1974, the faculty established a scholarship to fund in his honor. Haferbecker passed away in December 1998. His wife, Darlene, survives.

• Alec Bramschreiber from Little Suamico, Wis., is majoring in business administration with concentrations in marketing and finance, insurance and real estate. Alec is also minoring in communication. He is a Tutoring-Learning Center honors intern and is a member of Public Relations Student Society of America.
• Nicole Williams-Sullivan from Eagle River, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Nicole is a student assistant to the dean for communication.

Cheri Smith Scholarship
In 2007, Cheri Smith celebrated 25 years in business as a successful real estate broker in Stevens Point. As a UWSP graduate in business and economics, she felt a scholarship was an important way to thank the community with a lasting gift to university students. This scholarship is available to UWSP juniors or seniors in the School of Business and Economics.

• Bridget Culbert from Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing and minoring in communication, arts management and psychology.

Tax Executives Institute
Tax Executive Institute Inc. (TEI) is a voluntary, non-profit association of corporate and other business executives, managers, and administrators who are responsible for the TAX affairs of their employees. TEI was organized in 1944 under the laws of the state of New York and is exempt from taxation under section 501(c) (6) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C.). TEI has approximately 6,000 members who represent more than 2,800 of the leading corporations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. TEI is dedicated to promoting the uniform and equitable enforcement of the tax laws–reducing the costs and burdens of administration and compliance to the benefit of both the government and taxpayers, and vindicating the Commerce Clause and other constitutional rights of all business taxpayers.

• Joann Wolfenberg from Adell, Wis., is double majoring in accounting and business administration with concentrations in both management and entrepreneurship, and minoring in economics. Joann is a member of the UWSP women’s basketball Team and the National Society of Leadership and Success, and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and Project Embrace. She is also a USAAI Basketball ambassador, Pointers Pup coach and Basketball Youth outreach coordinator.

Scott and Julie Wallace Internship Scholarship
This award was created to promote and enhance the internships in UWSP’s School of Business and Economics in an effort to increase opportunities for SBE students. This award was based on their daughter Erin’s positive experience during her internship, which led to a great entry-level position after graduation.

• Jared Kust from Clintonville, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in management. Jared is captain of UWSP’s wrestling team and a member of the UWSP Bass Fishing Club.

Larry and Julia Weiser International Scholarship
After receiving his Ph.D. from UW-Madison in 1967, Larry Weiser began his service to the then Division of Business & Economics in 1972 as an associate professor of economics. He was promoted to full professor in 1978. Weiser taught a vast array of economics coursework at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He had an extensive record of service to the Division of Business & Economics, the College of Letters & Science, and UWSP as a whole. He was chair of the division from 1975-81 and became director of the Center for Economic Education in 1990. After an illustrious career, Weiser retired in 2002 and became an emeritus faculty member. In the years following his retirement, Larry continued to support the School of Business and Economics and to teach within the LIFE program. Sadly, Larry passed away in November of 2015. He will be truly missed by the many lives he impacted at UW-Stevens Point.

• Franciscus Peters from Naperville, Ill., is double majoring in economics and business administration with a concentration in finance, insurance and real estate. Franciscus is a member of the Financial Literacy Association, UWSP Lions Club, and UWSP swim team.

Central Wisconsin Board of Realtors Scholarship
Real estate professionals Rudy Ottersen and Pat Cassidy established this endowment around the time of the UWSP Centennial. At that time the organization was called the Stevens Point Board of Realtors. Shortly after, the name was changed to Central Wisconsin Board of Realtors. Together with the Central Wisconsin Multiple Listing Service, the real estate professionals in our area support an accounting, business, or economics student who has a connection to the real estate profession.

• Evan Dixon from Novi, Mich., is majoring in business administration with concentrations in marketing and finance, insurance and real estate. Evan is a member of the NCAA national championship men’s hockey team and volunteers for the youth hockey programs. He is also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Central Wisconsin Apartment Association Scholarship
The Central Wisconsin Apartment Association is composed of rental property owners, real estate professionals, and others who have an interest in meeting Central Wisconsin needs for rental housing.

• Evan Dixon from Novi, Mich., is majoring in business administration with concentrations in marketing and finance, insurance and real estate. Evan is a member of the NCAA national championship men’s hockey team and volunteers for the youth hockey programs. He is also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

CliftonLarsonAllen Accounting Scholarship
Clifton Gunderson was founded in 1960 in Peoria, Ill., as Clifton, Gunderson, Coker and DeBruyn. In 1973, its name was shortened to Clifton, Gunderson. Under a new name, it added firms in Colorado, Wisconsin, Missouri, Maryland, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Texas, California, and Pennsylvania. Prior to the formation of Clifton Gunderson, young entrepreneurs Rholan Larson and John Allen started a small public accounting practice in the suburbs of Minneapolis in 1953. Bob Weishair joined the firm in 1957 to form Larson, Allen, Weishair & Co., LLP. The firm has since expanded throughout Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, Wisconsin, Washington DC, Washington, and Idaho. In 2007, the firm changed names to LarsonAllen LLP.

CliftonLarsonAllen is the alliance of Clifton Gunderson and LarsonAllen, two peer firms that have merged to create a different kind of professional services firm. Since the merger in January of 2012, the firm exists among our nation’s top 10 accounting firms with more than 90 locations across the United States (including one office in Stevens Point) and headquarters in Minneapolis and Milwaukee. CliftonLarsonAllen has more than 1,550 CPAs on staff to meet the needs of over 150,000 clients nationwide.

• Mitchell Martin from Marshfield, Wis., is double majoring in accounting and business administration. Mitchell is a volunteer financial coach through the Financial Literacy Association.

Michael and Melba Sullivan Scholarship
Michael Sullivan served as a professor of economics in the Division of Business & Economics from 1965-94. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1972, his M.S. from UW-Madison in 1961, and his B.A. from the University of Denver in 1950. Sullivan’s courses included Production and Operations Management, Labor Problems, Managerial Economics, Collective Bargaining, and Principles of Economics. He served on a number of university committees throughout his tenure. He held several offices in the Central Wisconsin APICS chapter, including Director from 1986-89. In the fall of 1984 he and his wife, Melba, led a group of students on the university’s semester abroad program in Madrid, Spain. After retirement, Michael and Melba built a home that won a first-place award from the National Association of Homebuilders. Michael and Melba have opened their home for tours during the annual MREA Energy Fair and the National Tour of Solar Homes. Melba taught in the Stevens Point Public Schools from 1967-93. She continues to lead an active life of gardening, travel and volunteer work. Michael passed away in December 2007.

• Kelsey Tornow from Wausau, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in international business.

DaWalt Family Economics Scholarship
John F. DaWalt is a 1996 UWSP graduate who was interested in both pharmaceutical research and the stock market. After four years with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, he moved to a new career with Merrill Lynch. John has a successful practice as an Investment Analyst and Wealth Consultant. He received valuable career advice from a faculty advisor during his undergraduate studies. John’s wife, Mandy, is a successful teacher, proud mother of two, and a 1997 UWSP graduate. The DaWalt family is rewarding a promising economics student with a scholarship as a way of giving back to UWSP.

• Christian Murkowski from Wausau, Wis., is double majoring in economics and business administration with a concentration in finance, insurance and real estate. Christian is a financial coach for the Financial Literacy Association. He is also a member of Phi Eta Sigma and National Society of Leadership and Success.

Expanding Horizons Scholarship
This scholarship is made possible by Marcia Tepp and Greg Hetzer. Marcia studied abroad as a business student and had experiences that would have never happened at home. The scholarship provides business and economic majors with the opportunity to study outside of the United States in a foreign environment developing their awareness of other cultures and experiencing people of all countries.

• Kelsey Tornow from Wausau, Wis., is majoring in business administration with a concentration in international business.

SBE Student Worker of the Year

In recognition of extraordinary service to the School of Business and Economics and Peer Advising program from 2015-16.

• Bridget Culbert
• Kyle Kuzynski

International Programs Scholarship for Study Abroad

• Danielle Macareno
• Miranda Resch
• Zachary Urness

SBE Outsanding Webmaster of the Year
In recognition of extraordinary service to the School of Business and Economics from 2015-16

• Brandi Haslitt

• Tracie Roberson: This award is given in recognition of Ms. Tracie Roberson’s business acumen as evidenced by her meteoric rise from intern to CEO at Rudy Rack. It is also given to honor her commitment to help the School of Business and Economics in its mission to serve the students, businesses, economy and people of the greater Central Wisconsin region as evidenced by her service on the SBE Business Advisory Council and her work with the students of the School of Business and Economics.

Corporate Partners Award

• Northwestern Mutual Financial Network: Given in honor of Northwestern Mutual’s continuous support of professional and leadership development for students at UWSP through on-campus involvement, sponsorship of the School of Business and Economics Kickstart Your Career Week, and its internship program.