Faculty-Staff-Retiree Campaign for Students

Marjorie Wenrich and Eric Ramhorst

When she thinks about the people she most admires, Marjorie Wenrich (MPH, 1994), director of special projects and advisor to the Dean of the School of Medicine, thinks immediately of her family. It is in their memory that she and her husband, Eric E. Ramhorst (BA, 1972), who works at University Press, created the Vernon, Priscilla, and Ellen Wenrich Endowed Scholarship to support medical students.

Wenrich's father spent his 40-year career as a counselor at Berkeley High School in California, where he influenced thousands of students' and teachers' lives. Wenrich's mother also believed strongly in education and community service, working for the Down Syndrome League and volunteering for the local hospital. Ellen, Wenrich's sister, died young from a rare complication of hepatitis A. An accomplished graphic artist and photographer, Ellen "left behind two small children and many people who cared deeply for her," says Wenrich.

"Each of these people contributed to the good of the world," Wenrich says. "I hope that the scholarship we have created in their memory will help others find their niche in contributing something of value to the world."

Kathleen Clayson and Lee Anne Malott

When emeritus faculty members Kathleen Clayson and Lee Anne Malott, MPH (B.S. 1961) volunteered for the Department of Laboratory Medicine's student support committee, they understood the importance of their goal. After all, both have years of extensive contact with students. Miss Clayson helped found the department and Professor Malott taught clinical microbiology, among other roles.

They know well that the intensive, year-round medical technology curriculum-in which students learn about blood work, tissue analysis, and disease identification-leaves students little time to earn money for school expenses. There can be other cash-flow problems, too, says Malott. She remembers providing care packages for a student who, while awaiting a student loan disbursement, had too little money to buy food.

"There are many students who need financial help," agrees Kathleen Clayson. That is why these two emeritus faculty are using the Faculty-Staff-Retiree campaign to create scholarships in the Department of Laboratory Medicine-and why they have encouraged several colleagues to give, too. Clayson says the matching money provided by the University was an inspiration. "What I give," she says, "will have a double impact."

This impact will be felt by all of us. While medical technologists in the baby boom generation are approaching retirement, the number of medical technology programs in the U.S. is dwindling. Malott, who created her scholarship with her husband, Ralph Malott, M.D. (Res. 1966), is planning for the future. "I'd like to feel that there will be a continual supply of well educated medical technologists," she says.

Antoinette Wills

Antoinette Wills has been at the University for thirty-six years, starting as a graduate student in history in 1970. "Coming from the East Coast, I was impressed by the quality of the faculty and the library," she recalls, "but I had so little money I qualified for food stamps."

More prosperous now, and a member of the UW's development team for the last twenty-two years, Antoinette saw the Faculty/Staff/Retiree campaign as an opportunity to help future graduate students. She is creating an endowed fund in Arts and Sciences, and her gifts will be matched by the University and the College.

"I know from experience that even a little money for travel, for research, for conferences, can make a huge difference to graduate students," she says. "People I never knew made my education possible. It's a joy and a treasure to me, and I'm glad to share that joy with others through this gift."

Prof. Jonathan Brock

When they graduated in June of 2006, a group of mid-career students at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs wanted to recognize a professor who shaped their master's degree experience. By creating the Jonathan Brock Endowed Fellowship, students honored the dedication, skill and energy that Professor Brock brings to his teaching. They also wanted to leave a permanent means of support for students in future cohorts to study management, leadership, and conflict resolution in the public and nonprofit sectors.

One of the students, Angela Day, also served as Brock's teaching assistant. Reflecting on the importance of naming the endowment for Professor Brock, she stated, "We came with a desire to make a difference, and Professor Brock offered the tools to transform that desire into effective leadership. A cohort of working professionals, we were able to take the analytic and decision making skills we learned in his class and apply it in our work the next day."

"In this business, when you are recognized for teaching, it is truly the true top of the mountain." Professor Brock expressed, still with some disbelief that the fellowship was established. "Normally this only happens when you die or retire, so it was a really something to receive an honor like this while I am still active.."

"Money for student support is hard to come by in the non-glorious parts of public service." Professor Brock explains about the merit scholarship. "It's easier to get money in specific hot new topic areas. But focusing on the non-glorious aspects, such as improving the capacity of state and local government to deliver services, solve problems and resolve conflicts has a large impact on public service. This fellowship says that we at the Evans School value these nuts and bolts areas, we want you to come to our school, and we're going to make it easier for you to both learn and contribute in these critical areas."