Supporting Scholarships and Campus Departments

You can make an immediate gift to support UW-Superior students by donating to the scholarship or campus department of your choice. Simply choose one of the payment methods on our Ways to Give page and specify your gift designation when making your gift.

Or, you may prefer to establish a scholarship endowment to permanently support UW-Superior students. For more information, please contact Jeanne Thompson, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at 715-394-8598 or jthomp51@uwsuper.edu.

Student Scholarship Stories

Orrin Botten
Poplar, Wisconsin
Secondary Education - Mathematics major, Coaching minor
Francis and Delores DeVinck Scholarship
Hanson-Hulbert Mathematics Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Nichols Scholarship
Superior Area Retired Educators Association Scholarship

Orrin Botten has an ambitious vision for his future.

"I want to be a high school math teacher and a coach of golf, football or basketball," he said. "I also want to go back to school to get my masters degree in administration because eventually I want to be in the position of principal, vice principal or athletic director."

In preparing to become an educator, Orrin has received four scholarships through the UW-Superior Foundation. They have played a critical role in his success as a student.

"Receiving the scholarships has relieved the burden of worrying about my financial situation while going to school," he said. "It has allowed me to focus greater attention on my studies and pursuing my career. As a prospective teacher I was always worried about being buried in loans and making a low salary. Well, now that isn't a problem with me because I have received some great Foundation scholarships."

"Scholarships also help students with academics," he added. "I know I tried harder in class knowing that I had to maintain a 3.0 GPA to keep receiving my scholarships."

Kelly Bergstrom
Superior, Wisconsin
Biology major and Psychology major, Spanish minor
Swenson Scholarship

Receiving a Swenson Scholarship through the UW-Superior Foundation has enabled Kelly Bergstrom to put herself through school independently. That's encouraging as she pursues her goals of graduating from UW-Superior and then attending graduate school to prepare for a career in neuropsychology.

Kelly began her college career as a Biology major but developed an interest in Psychology and decided to add that as a major as well. She's also completing a minor in Spanish. She spent time over the summer in Nepal to complete her biology capstone project of studying health care in a developing country.

Kelly is active in several campus organizations. She sees how important scholarships are to students.

"With tuition constantly increasing it gets harder and harder for students to make ends meet while trying to go to school," she said. "I see students all the time trying to work full time while also taking out loans to try to get through school. This can be enormously stressful on students, and sadly, after a while, some decide it's just not worth it anymore."

"It's really hard to see students who have so much potential be held back from earning a degree due to a lack of finances." 

Keely Deadrick
Esko, Minnesota
Elementary Education major, Early Childhood Education minor
Alumni Continuing Student Scholarship &
UW-Superior Foundation President's Scholarship

For Keely Deadrick, receiving a scholarship through the UW-Superior Foundation means she can forego a part-time job to instead fully concentrate on her college education and her future career.

"It gives me a chance to focus more on my studies so that I will be able to give back to the younger generations and hopefully make a lasting impact on them through teaching. Overall, I am so grateful for the scholarship and could not thank you enough for your help."

Keely plans to teach children at the elementary school level. She also hopes to someday use her skills as a Yellowjacket volleyball standout to coach high school sports.

She has this to say to people who give money for student scholarships:

"Words cannot express how thankful I am for your help. This means so much to me as I am now able to participate in other activities as well as continuing to focus and do well in school. You have given me an opportunity to excel in other areas of life along with education. By receiving this scholarship I am able to participate in athletics, on-campus activities, and help out in the community. Without your help his would not be possible. Thank you again!"

Trent Van Damme
Superior, Wisconsin
Business Administration Major
Sentry Insurance Student Leadership Scholarship
& Academic Excellence Scholarship

For Trent Van Damme, receiving a scholarship feels like a vote of support from the businesses and people who give to the UW-Superior Foundation scholarship fund.

"Receiving a scholarship shows me that the community is supporting my education at the University of Wisconsin-Superior and is putting an emphasis on receiving a great education," he said. 

After earning his bachelor's degree at UW-Superior, Trent plans to complete a master's of business administration degree and a doctor of pharmacy degree. His long-term goal is to manage a pharmacy or to start his own.

To reach his goals, Trent needs to build a solid foundation in the liberal arts and business at UW-Superior. Receiving the Sentry Insurance Student Leadership Scholarship is critical to his success.

"This scholarship allows me to focus more on my studies.  I can't thank Sentry Insurance and the community enough, and I will continue to strive to reach my full potential knowing that I have this tremendous support."