The UW-Marathon County Foundation Inc. will host a reception today to introduce scholarship recipients and unveil a commemorative wall display honoring donors who contributed to a new fundraising initiative that has raised $125,000 for scholarships at UWMC. The 4:30 p.m. ceremony will be in Sonnentag Hall, located in the UW Center for Civic Engagement on the UW-Marathon County campus.

The 100 Extraordinary Women Campaign set a goal of attracting at least 100 donors to pledge $1,000 each, to be paid out for scholarships over a five-year period. With commitments made by 125 donors, the campaign will distribute at least $25,000 per year over the next five years for scholarships. The first seven 100 Extraordinary Women scholarship recipients will be announced at the reception.

“The 100 Extraordinary Women campaign has exceeded expectations and will make a big difference for deserving women students on our campus,” said Keith Montgomery, UW Colleges regional executive officer and dean. “These new dollars will supplement our broader scholarship program, which has funds available for all deserving students. More of our women students are part-time, which raises the cost of a degree. This new scholarship helps level the economic playing field.”

The seven scholarship recipients and their respective high schools are: Nadia Bauman, Wausau East; Brenna Behreandt, Wittenberg-Birnamwood; Emmaline Krebs, Abbotsford; Lindsey Lampe, Tomahawk; Olivia Lemke, Wausau West; Deanta Saunders, Merrill; and Krystle VanLanen, D.C. Everest.

The UWMC Foundation distributes about $160,000 per year in scholarships that are open to all student applicants on the campus.