Generosity Provides Futures of Opportunity

Jacqueline & Ronald Hatlevig Memorial Scholarship

Jacqueline Vix Hatlevig, Ph.D. was a 20-year member of the WSU faculty serving in the Nursing and Child Advocacy Departments. She was instrumental in the development of the Child Advocacy Studies curriculum and a tireless advocate and the master of work-life balance, having obtained her Ph.D. while working full-time and raising a family. A seven-year breast cancer survivor, Dr. Hatlevig, at the age of 55, was given a terminal lung cancer diagnosis, and died in 2009. Ron, Jacqueline’s husband, began the process of establishing a scholarship in her honor, knowing that she would have wanted her support and passion for nursing and child advocacy to live on. Tragically, just four months after the death of Jacqueline, Ron died unexpectedly of an aneurysm at the age of 60. Their daughters, in honor of their parents’ legacy, moved forward with the scholarship.

Each year, special fundraisers are sponsored by the Hatlevig family to maintain the scholarship. “So many friends and family have given so generously to endow the scholarship because they loved my parents so much,” said daughter Elisa Hatlevig. “This allows us to give to students each year.”

Angela Lange, a second year nursing student, is the 2015 recipient of the Jacqueline and Ronald Hatlevig Memorial Scholarship. “I always knew I would pursue something in the medical field,” said Lange, whose grandfather was a dentist. “Originally I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian. But then I got my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and realized I really enjoyed the people aspect and that nursing is more of my calling. It’s a different challenge every day.”

Lange’s mother, Karen, is just as excited about the opportunities this scholarship has afforded her daughter. “I am so proud knowing she has been recognized for her skills and interests and all her hard work, “said Karen. “What a wonderful gift! And then to have a connection with the scholarship family and to meet this wonderful family who is so generously helping my daughter pursue her career is amazing!”

“We always appreciate meeting the scholarship recipients, which is why we come to the Scholarship Breakfast,” Elisa concluded.

Frederick & Dina Derocher Communications Studies Mentorship Scholarship

In Honor of Professor Rita Rahoi-Gilchrest

Frederick Derocher, a 2003 WSU grad with a degree in Communication Studies, is an early giver. “I feel blessed to have received academic and athletic scholarships while at Winona State,” said Derocher. “During my final two years at WSU, I completed an internship with the Department of University Advancement with a focus on raising scholarship dollars for students. This gave me great insight to the need for funding in addition to providing an opportunity to give back to the university. I came from humble beginnings. My parents provided ample amounts of love and support, but weren’t able to financially support my education. If it weren’t for the generosity of others, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to pay for school and focus on my studies. This scholarship is a first step in saying “thank you” for those who came before me, and it is my hope to plant a seed of generosity that ‘pays it forward’ for future generations.”

Honoring a Mentor
“I want this scholarship to honor Dr. Rita Rahoi-Gilchrest for inspiring my academic endeavors by bringing the best out of my academic experience,” Derocher continued. “She encouraged critical thought and problem solving skillsets that are crucial to my success and the financial success of my clients. My classmates and I did our best work under her guidance. I will be forever grateful to her for her continued mentorship both prior to and after graduating, and the permanent impact she has had on my professional life. Dr. Rita is pretty amazing!”

When asked about her teaching approach, Dr. Rahoi-Gilchrest explained, “I help people see things in themselves that they haven’t seen before. I see students full of hope, but they don’t know themselves very well. What I do is help them market themselves. What is your unique selling proposition? What is unique and wonderful about you?” She continued,” Fred was very involved, and what I think is really amazing and stands out is that he is such a recent graduate and has demonstrated his commitment to giving back. Most of us hope to do things like this in our lifetime, but he’s doing it now!”

Christina Bokusky, Buffalo, Minnesota, is a Communications Studies major in her final year and is this year’s scholarship recipient. She is currently interning at a Wisconsin hospital in marketing and business development. “WSU was the best school for me,” said Bokusky. “Dr. Rita has been a huge part of my college experience and really shaped who I am.”

Bokusky’s parents, Brenda and Bryan, attended the Scholarship Breakfast. “Christina has been such a hard worker all these years and it is nice to see that she is being recognized (with a scholarship) for all her hard work. She is furthering herself and is doing what she wants to do in life.”

 

Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

Erika K. Scholarship

The Erika K. Scholarship, established in 1997, provides full tuition and fees for non- traditional women students.

“Rather than being dependent on someone or something else, education gives us the power to achieve, to make your own way. It provides hope for the future” — Erika Kalitta Gilbertson, Scholarship Benefactor

Tara Wickelgren, an Erika K. Scholarship recipient, is majoring in social work. She recalls what motivated her to go to school. “I had an amazing social worker help me out when I really needed it,” said Wickelgren. “I thought about Nursing, but needles are not for me! But I could still help people by being a social worker.”

Wickelgren’s husband, Joe, has been by her side through the entire journey. “It’s been an adventure!” he said of his wife’s return to school. “There were times when she wanted to quit and I wouldn’t let her.”

Going to school, holding down a job and raising a family could overwhelm just about anyone. “This scholarship allows me to finish school,” Wickelgren stated. “I couldn’t do it without it.”

Jennifer Welch, 2015 recipient of the Erika K. Scholarship, is in her second year of the cardio rehabilitation program. “I always said I was going back to school after I had my children,” said Welch, “and 11 years later, here I am! This scholarship means everything to me. It makes me smile to know people out there want to help me make myself a better person.”