Illustration by Michael Hogue/MCT

Hoppe scholarships awarded for spring semester

Nikki Gulmire

Fourth Estate

Two nontraditional students who demonstrate maturity, ability and desire were chosen to receive scholarships for UW-Green Bay’s 2007 spring semester. Jo Rintamaki of DePere and Maureen O’Shea of Shawano  each received $750. 

The Patricia L. Hoppe Scholarship has been awarded to two students every year since 2004. The scholarship consists of a donation made in Hoppe’s name. She was a student of UWGB who died of cancer before she was able to complete her degree program.

Before passing, Hoppe expressed to friends and family her desires to help other adult students of the Adult Degree Program at UWGB. Her boss at the time took that desire very seriously and now donates a total $1,500 every year to make sure her wishes are secure.

ADP assistant Bev Hendricks knew Hoppe when she was in the program.

“(She was) very energetic and outgoing,” Hendricks said.

Jan Thornton, director of ADP, said that due to undeniable circumstances, the Hoppe Scholarship was awarded to two students this year during the spring semester whereas normally, one scholarship is given in fall and the other is given in spring.

Applicants for the scholarship have to fill out the necessary application, which includes an essay and references portion and requires certain criteria to be followed.

Criteria require that the person have gained admission to the Interdisciplinary Studies Adult Degree Program at the time of applying, evidence of maturity, ability and desire, and they must have a financial need for the scholarship.

The final decision on the winners of the scholarship is made by Thornton, the ADP committee and the donors. Applications are judged by how well they adhere to the criteria.

Rintamaki, a junior recipient of the scholarship, is excited to have received the award. After she finishes the program, she plans to go into elementary education.

The basis of Rintamaki’s essay was about her family’s hardships while she was growing up. Twenty years ago, she attended UWGB immediately after high school but had to drop out due to family circumstances.

“My dad’s wish was that one of his kids would graduate college,” Rintamaki said. “Come hell or high water, it’s going to be me, so I don’t let my dad down.”

Rintamaki grew up in a family of 12 siblings, none of which attended a four-year college. Her parents also fostered more than 50 children throughout their lives.

“Through what I’ve learned and experienced with my dad, I feel like I could give something back to youth through education,” she said.

Thornton said both Rintamaki and O’Shea’s essays were touching and enough to convince ADP they deserved the Hoppe Scholarship.

ADP offers two other scholarships annually, including the Elizabeth Wyngaard Scholarship and the Katharine Olski Scholarship. Information about scholarships and ADP can be found on their Web site at uwgb.edu/adultdegrees.

As for the Hoppe recipients, Rintamaki’s plans are evident after graduation.

“I’m a lifetime-learner,” she said. “Once I finish (school), I’m just going to keep going.”