Marian University in Fond du Lac lands $50K gift to aid single parents pursuing college degree
FOND DU LAC - A $50,000 gift by SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac will boost Marian University’s Working Families Grant program, which provides financial assistance to single parents pursuing a college degree.
The check was presented by Katherine Vergos, president of SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital. The donation was received by Michelle Majewski, president of Marian University, and Kerry Strupp, Marian University’s director of the Working Families Grant.
“We are thrilled with SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital’s generous support of our Working Families Grant,” Michelle Majewski, president of Marian University, said in a news release. “This will enable more working, single parents to pursue higher education while also supporting their families.”
Participants in the program receive assistance with tuition, child care and household expenses. Participants must be full-time students, maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher, and provide 20 hours of community service each semester.
For more information, visit marianuniversity.edu.
Welcome to your weekly dose. Here is more news from throughout Fond du Lac County.
Symphonic Band to perform annual concert at Firemen’s Park
The Fond du Lac Symphonic Band, under the direction of its new music director, Dr. Evan Chancellor, will perform July 13 at Firemen’s Park in Campbellsport.
Happy Hour Band will open the concert at 6:15 p.m. with the Symphonic Band playing at 7:30 p.m.
Fond du Lac's can't-miss events: USA Patriots softball game, Riponfest and more set this week
The program will feature selections from the band’s “At the Movies” concert, including music from "Pirates of the Caribbean: World’s End," "Mask of Zorro," "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Star Wars."
Additional pieces include "America, the Beautiful," "American Salute," "Irving Berlin’s America" and "Glenn Miller in Concert," followed by three Sousa marches, "Sabre and Spurs," "Wisconsin Forward Forever" and "Stars and Stripes Forever."
Thelma Visual Artists group has work on display at library gallery
Artwork by members of the THELMA Visual Artists group will be on display through July in the Langdon Divers Community Gallery as a part of the annual members exhibit.
Visitors to the gallery at the Fond du Lac Public Library can view the display now until Aug. 1. A public reception will be 5:30-7 p.m. July 13.
TVA is a collective of local artists promoting the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts’ mission of enriching the Fond du Lac community through the arts while advancing personal and professional development.
The gallery is open when the library is open at 32 Sheboygan St. For more information, visit facebook.com/langdondivers.
Odyssey of the Mind team to present skit at Ripon library
A teen cooking program and an Odyssey of the Mind presentation will be offered this month at the Ripon Public Library.
Teens are invited to participate in “Chopped with Mr. and Mrs. P’s" on July 18.
Each participant will receive a set of ingredients to create a dipping sauce. Chef Joe will offer guidance and judge creations.
During the July 19 Wild Wednesday Wonders, Ripon Middle School’s Odyssey of the Mind team will present its World Competition skit on the “Most Dramatic Problem Ever,” which follows the trials of a teenage cave person.
This newly-formed team, under the direction of Julia Manor, entered its first competition in March, advancing to World Competition in May. They scored 10th overall and their skit ranked fourth for problem-solving.
The library is at 120 Jefferson St. For more information, call 920-748-6160 or visit riponlibrary.org.
O’Donovan recognized with DAISY lifetime award
Lorna O’Donovan, an SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital medical/surgical registered nurse, has received The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes nurses who are devoted to the compassionate care of others.
Nominations are made for nurses who have been mentors, offer a positive role model, advocate for their patients and promote a positive image of nursing.
The award gives staff a way to express their gratitude and recognize the people who have shaped nursing.
Renovations complete at Lighthouse Drive
The City of Fond du Lac hosted a ribbon-cutting June 29 for the opening of the historic Lighthouse and Lighthouse Drive renovations, as well as the new Boardwalk at Lakeside Park West.
Construction on the Lighthouse and Lighthouse Drive began in March 2023. The Lighthouse received structural repairs, new siding, and replacement wooden windows and mortar.
Lighthouse Drive renovations included replacing pavement, adding a multi-use path and street lighting, an updated parking lot and new trees.
In addition, the peninsula has a paved walking trail and bike path, new pavement and an updated parking lot.
Benefit for Fond du Lac woman: Throwback Pockets is hosting a benefit July 8 for a woman who lost her vision earlier this year
Mattingly to serve on UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation board
The UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Board of Directors has appointed Alicia Mattingly as the new executive director of the UW-Fond du Lac Foundation. She began the executive director role in June 2023 but has been with the foundation since February 2023.
Mattingly is a graduate of UW-Fond du Lac and UW-Oshkosh. She has many years of nonprofit experience.
The foundation provides scholarships and development opportunities for staff and helps improve resources available.
National Exchange Bank announces scholarship award winners
Reipients of National Exchange Bank & Trust’s 2023 Step-Up scholarships have been announced.
Lakely Kloetzke has been awarded the high school scholarship and Kaylee McCarty is the college scholarship recipient.
Both were selected based on academics, a written essay, and their contributions to community and school programs.
Kloetzke plans to attend Fox Valley Technical College to major in dental hygiene. She is the daughter of Jaime Kloetzke of Rosendale.
Kloetzke recently graduated from Laconia High School in Rosendale, where she participated in basketball, softball, track and field, volleyball and the National Honor Society. Outside of school, she volunteered at a clean-up day for the elderly and worked as a dog caretaker at Curve Crest Kennels.
McCarty attends Concordia University of Wisconsin, where she is majoring in psychology and minoring in athletic coaching and social science. She is the daughter of Steve and Kelly McCarty of Adell.
In high school, McCarty was a member of yearbook staff, varsity cheerleader, golf instructor assistant, part of summer musicals and the head of fundraising for student council. She also was a Herb Kohl Finalist and received the Global Education Certificate. In college, she became involved in Psych Club and is the co-chairperson of student affairs for the student government association.
Outside of school, McCarty has volunteered for psych service projects, collected food for the local food pantry, collected supplies for Casa Guadalupe and made Christmas cards for the Samaritan Home.
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This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Marian University in Fond du Lac lands gift to aid single parents
