Campus Connection

[caption id="attachment_33496" align="alignleft" width="550"] UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow raises the hand of Kim Graham at the graduation ceremony in May 2013 when she received her honorary degree.[/caption] More than 500 students will be awarded nearly $500,000 for the upcoming school year during the Student Scholarship and Award Reception Monday, April 28. The event begins at 4:30 p.m., with presentation of the scholarships and awards at 5, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. The event is sponsored by the UW-L Foudation.

Scholarship formed to honor student who earned extraordinary degree

Kimberly Graham lost her battle to cancer, but she won the hearts of all who knew her. The young woman from Germantown was nearing completion of a bachelor’s in radiation therapy when the rare childhood cancer Ewing’s Sarcoma struck again. With an unfavorable outlook, she was given an extraordinary degree during commencement in May 2013. Graham went home for care and eventually died on March 17, 2014. She impacted the many students she knew at UW-L, particularly those in radiation therapy classes who assisted her when she was too sick to attend class. Now others will get to know her for generations to come. Her parents, Gary and Dawn Graham, have established the Kimberly D. Graham Extraordinary Scholarship Fund through the UW-L Foundation. While the family will work to endow the fund, they and others will provide initial funding so the scholarship’s first recipients can be named during the Foundation’s Student Scholarship and Award Reception Monday, April 28. The scholarship will support students who have struggled with cancer or are pursuing a major in radiation therapy. Paula Knudson, UW-L Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Dean of Students, met the Graham family when they drove back to campus following the May commencement ceremony. “We talked about their journey and road to healing and remembering in a healthy way,” recalls Knudson. Her parents raised the idea of a scholarship in her name and Knudson told them she would help them accomplish that when they were ready. Knudson says the Grahams knew how much Kimberly loved UW-L, her program and friendships. “She worked so hard to attend UW-L and they would like to see her memory honored here,” she notes. “They also know the costs associated with a battle with cancer and want to support others in this struggle.” Knudson says the impact for students receiving the scholarship will be much more than financial. “I also think her story will allow others to not take health or an education for granted,” she explains. “I think Kimberly's story of strength, persistence and positive spirit are compelling for other students to hear.”

Successful campaign means more scholarships, money for students

The “Share the La Crosse Experience” scholarship campaign is adding up for UW-L students. Since the campaign got underway just more than a year ago, 40 new awards have been created — most of them endowments. Many will be awarded for the 2014-15 academic year. “We’re very excited about the generous response we have received so far,” says Vice Chancellor for Advancement Greg Reichert. “It’s heartening to see commitments from alumni and friends that will impact so many deserving students for years to come.” The campaign has garnered more than $2.4 million already. Partnering with the UW-L Foundation, the University Advancement team hopes to grow scholarship funds by $15 million by the end of the campaign.