(Sun Prairie, Wis.) — General Casualty Insurance Companies is helping make college more affordable for 20 outstanding students by awarding them renewable $1,000 scholarships.
Rising education costs make tuition assistance more valuable than ever. College Board experts report that most students paid $95 to $1,404 more in 2007-08 than the previous year for tuition and fees. On average, expenses at four-year private schools rose 6.3 percent, four-year public schools 6.6 percent, and two-year public schools 4.2 percent.
To combat these costs, General Casualty is awarding eight scholarships to dependents of employees, eight to dependents of staff employed at the company’s Premier Partner agencies, and four to students in states where the company has offices. Awards are renewable up to three years or until a degree is earned, whichever occurs first, and are based on satisfactory academic performances (2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale).
The scholarship program began in 2003. Since its inception, the company has awarded $331,500 in college scholarships to 121 students. General Casualty will hand out another $68,500 during the 2008-09 academic year.
Recipients were judged and selected by Scholarship Management Services, an independent scholarship program administrator. Winners were selected based on:
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Past academic performance and future potential
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Leadership and participation in school and community activities
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Work experience
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Career and educational aspirations and goals
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Unusual personal or family circumstances
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An appraisal from a non-family member 2008 General Casualty scholarship recipients
Stephanie Andel of Plainfield, Ill., daughter of Rob and Crystal Andel, will be a freshman at Bradley University (Peoria, Ill.). She will major in international studies. (E)
Evan Anderson of Waunakee, Wis., son of Ken and Beth Anderson, will be a freshman at Purdue University (West Lafayette, Ind.). He will major in materials engineering. (E)
Zachary Bark of Marion, Iowa, son of Tom and Becky Bark, will be a freshman at Iowa State University (Ames). He will major in architecture. (E)
Libby Brubaker of Freeport, Ill., daughter of Gary and Jody Brubaker, will be a freshman at the University of Illinois – Chicago. She will study pre-dentistry. (E)
Brynn Durkes of Rochester, Ind., daughter of Tim and Helen Durkes, will be a freshman at Purdue University. She will major in medical technology. (P)
Lacey Gibasiewicz of Sutersville, Pa., daughter of Jeffrey and Barbara Gibasiewicz, will be a sophomore at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. She is studying dance. (E)
Zachary Gietl of Springfield, Ill., son of Alan and Karen Gietl, will be a freshman at Washington University (St. Louis, Mo.). He plans to major in accounting or music. (C)
Alexander Groth of Delavan, Wis., son of Andrew and Christine Groth, will be a freshman at Pomona College (Claremont, Calif.). He will major in neuroscience. (P)
Mikhail Klimstra of Sartell, Minn., son of Tab and Brenda Klimstra, will be a freshman at the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.). He will study pre-medicine. (P)
Lauren Kumbier of Germantown, Wis., daughter of John and Linda Kumbier, will be a freshman at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She will major in genetics. (E)
Jeffrey Kusiak of Mosinee, Wis., son of James and Rainey Kusiak, will be a freshman at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He will major in medical science. (P)
Tyler Lamensky of Neenah, Wis., son of Todd and Carrie Lamensky, will be a freshman at Millikin University (Decatur, Ill.). He will study pharmacy. (E)
Erin Long of Bayside, Wis., daughter of Mary Reilly and Mike Long, will be a freshman at Oklahoma City University. She plans to study acting. (P)
Hannah Mattison of Rock Island, Ill., daughter of Bob and Pam Mattison, will be a freshman at Valparaiso University (Ind.). She will major in music education. (P)
Michael Natalizio of Oconomowoc, Wis., son of Mike and June Natalizio, will be a freshman at the University of Miami (Fla.). He will major in finance. (P)
Timothy Reasa of Baraboo, Wis., son of Mark and Carol Reasa, will be a freshman at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He will major in computer science. (C)
Joseph Tennant of Greensboro, N.C., son of Stan and Maggie Tennant, will be a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia). He will major in business. (C)
Jennifer Vorst of Springfield, Ill., daughter of Norbert and Rosemary Vorst, will be a freshman at the University of Miami (Fla.). She will study nursing. (C)
Jenny Weeden of Sheboygan, Wis., daughter of Robert and Kimberly Weeden, will be a freshman at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She will major in English or communications. (P)
Grace Wybourn of Warren, Ill., daughter of Curt and Sara Wybourn, will be a junior at Northern Illinois University (DeKalb). She is majoring in speech and language. (E)
P – Premier Partner division recipients
C – Community division recipients
E – Employee division recipients
For more information contact Anne M. Smith or Tom French.