Campus Connection

Five UW-L students who are U.S. Armed Forces veterans will be honored Saturday, June 19, at the La Crosse Municipal Airport at the third annual Freedom Fest. Susan Erickson and William John Westerman, both Navy veterans; Ronald Poppie and Christopher Rupel, both former Marines; and Tyson Villarreal, formerly in the Army; will each receive $1,000 Donald P. Weber Veterans Memorial scholarships for the 2010-11 academic year. Westerman was also a 2009-10 recipient of the scholarship. The Donald P. Weber Veterans Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008 by Donald J. and Roxanne Weber of La Crosse in honor of Donald's father, Donald P. Weber. Both Weber men are veterans of the Armed Forces. Donald P. served in World War II and Donald J. in Vietnam. The scholarships are given to 10 veterans who are Wisconsin residents enrolled full time at a UW System Institution. This year's other Weber scholarship recipients, their military branch and UW System school are: John Ackerman, Army, Oshkosh Chad Brockman, Marines, Oshkosh Brian Chilson, Army, Milwaukee Josiah Dierbeck, Marines, Milwaukee Daniel Drewek, Marines, Milwaukee Kevin Evans, Army, Milwaukee Kevon Franklin, Coast Guard, Milwaukee Patrick Leon, Army & Marines, Milwaukee Ashley Neby, Army National Guard, Stout Eric O'Leary, Marines, Milwaukee Rebecca Plimpton, Army, Milwaukee Kevin Schneider, Marines, Milwaukee Justin Smith, Army, Stout Two veterans who are UW System students enrolled in a health care field will receive $1,000 scholarships. The Col. Edwin L. Overholt, M.D., Family Scholarships funds the scholarships. The scholarship recipients are UW-Madison student Tyler Laber, formerly in the Army National Guard; and UW-Milwaukee student Allison Smith, formerly in the Army. The fund was established in 2010 by the Overholt Family in honor and memory of their father, Dr. Edwin L. Overholt. Approximately 175 veterans received education benefits at UW-L in the spring semester. More veterans attend UW-L but may not claim benefits. For more on UW-L scholarships, visit www.foundation.uwlax.edu/schgeneral.html and www.foundation.uwlax.edu/schfreshmen.html.