People whose lives have been touched by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point�s International Programs have stepped forward to express their continuing commitment to international education and study abroad opportunities. Eight former leaders of the study tours have established scholarship endowments within the UWSP Foundation.

Those donating $5,000 or more to the endowment include retired Head of Interior Architecture Mary Ann Baird; retired Director of International Programs Robert Bowen and his family; Maxine Burress, retired English instructor and widow of Professor of English Lee Burress; former UWSP Assistant to the Chancellor David Coker and his wife, Sharon Price; retired Assistant Chancellor for Student Affairs Helen Godfrey; retired Professor of History Fred Kremple and his wife, Patricia; Professor of Sociology Robert Wolensky and his wife, Molly; and retired Professor of Art and Design Dan Fabiano and his wife, Jan.

The scholarships will be part of the International Programs Scholarship Endowment (IPSE). The endowment Advisory Committee set a goal of $100,000 of which about $90,000 has been pledged. More than 50 student participants and faculty leaders have responded to a call for funding that will provide scholarships for students who want the life-changing experience of studying abroad.

Although UWSP provides study abroad programs at affordable prices, there are a number of worthy students who cannot afford it, according to Bowen, fund raising committee co-chair with Baird. The endowment is designed to encourage more students to participate in international education.

Since the first semester abroad to London in 1969, more than 10,000 students and 300 faculty members have participated in UWSP study abroad programs. According to International Programs Director David Staszak, UWSP is a leader in the UW System with about 15 percent of its graduates having studied abroad, ranking among the top 20 in the nation among comprehensive universities for the number of students it sends abroad. The IPSE campaign is designed to help UWSP maintain its leading position in international education.

There are plans to increase the number of semester-long and short-term programs, adding one or two new locations per year for five years, Staszak said. Existing programs are being scheduled more often and new opportunities are being developed in Europe, Central America and the South Pacific. A business internship to China was launched last summer.

With the growth in programs, student costs have increased. "As far as we know, UWSP will still have the lowest administrative fee in the UW System," Staszak said. Need-based scholarships are sought to help students cover additional costs.

Honorary chairs of the scholarship committee include former Chancellor and Governor Lee Dreyfus, UWSP Chancellor Tom George and past International Programs Directors Bowen, Pauline Isaacson and Helen Corneli.

Numerous retired and current faculty members served on IPSE�s Advisory Committee and Steering Committee. Wolensky is the campus coordinator. Persons interested in supporting the IPSE campaign should call (715) 346-2708, or contact the UWSP Foundation or International Programs Office.

-30-

sclanton/vc/IP endowment