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Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee Annual Scholarships 2023
An important aspect of the mission of GCGM is promoting education and community service
The scholarship committee works to make sure that students in Wisconsin colleges studying in
the areas of horticulture/environment/landscape are recognized and awarded funds that encourage dedication to the mission.
In 2022 the newly established Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee's President Debra Koenig and the board reviewed and voted to offer two $2500 scholarships in 2023.
Previously the 2018 board of MAM Garden Club (now operating as Garden Club of Greater
Milwaukee) proposed and approved a scholarship to support college students in Wisconsin, for their study in horticulture. Then President Lilly Harris felt it was important to award funds and recognize outstanding students and their efforts to focus on a career that aligns with the mission of the garden club and its members.
For five years the scholarship committee has used the garden club mission to align with Wisconsin college programs (about 33 universities and technical colleges) to offer the opportunity and establish criterion for awarding an annual scholarship.
Applicants must be studying at a Wisconsin public, private or technical college; completing sophomore status, and have a GPA of 3.0 or above. Interested applicants send a completed application, college transcripts, essay and 2 letters of recommendation by the posted deadline. Based on established criterion, committee members review every document and rate each applicant to determine the top 5 candidates. Further review and discussion is used to determine the finalist.
Scholarship committee members are: Susan Ballje, chair, with Christine Raz, Helen Dahms, Karen Flanagan, and Lilly Harris. Previous committee members also included Nick Lemus and Charlotte Castleberry.
Some years over 35 qualified students have applied. The entire process from posting opportunity in January to finalist named in May is about 5 months. The scholarship chair works with awardee to present biography/photo and announcements as well as sending funds directly to the college for tuition expenses.
2022 Scholarship Finalist
Congratulations to Catherine Nelson.
Congratulations to Catherine Nelson.
Congratulations to Catherine Nelson.
Congratulations to Catherine Nelson.
Congratulations to Catherine Nelson.
Catherine is a 4.0 sophomore at St. Norbert College with a double major in environmental science and studio art. She has proven herself adept at finding the connections between the two fields and making her insights accessible to a broad public. Her studies are focused on an exploration of science communication, and helping others understand the beauty and the botany that surrounds them.
Not only is Catherine an astute observer of the natural world and a gifted artist, but she has a knack for sharing her insights and discoveries with others. Peers and faculty in other fields praised Catherine’s presentation of her summer research work. Faculty at St. Norbert wrote outstanding recommendations describing her as “an ambassador for the complexities of ecology and the essentialness of art in our contemporary lives.
Catherine is an artist whose work helps instill in the public an
appreciation for the natural world.” Catherine shows a true desire for pursuing a career in science communication and sustainability by merging her passions and talent in both environmental science and art. She feels introducing scientific information to a wider audience is her life’s work. By using visuals to inspire appreciation for the natural world, her goals align well with the principles that drive the mission of the Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee, the successor to the Milwaukee Art Museum Garden Club
2021 Scholarship Finalist
Congratulations to Hayden Wayne Stecker.
Congratulations to Hayden Wayne Stecker.
Congratulations to Hayden Wayne Stecker.
Congratulations to Hayden Wayne Stecker.
Congratulations to Hayden Wayne Stecker.
Hayden’s application with his credentials, experience and goals was exceptional. His interest in horticulture as a career was established as a child. After graduating from Neenah High School, he attended Fox Valley Technical College for one year and graduated on the Dean’s List with a 3.8 GPA as a Horticultural Technician. He went on to UW River Falls and continues to earn honors and will complete a bachelor’s degree in Professional Horticulture. Hayden plans to graduate in spring 2022.
Hayden is currently the president of Horticulture Society on campus, a club for students involved in the horticulture department that competes regionally at (MACHS) Mid America Collegiate Horticulture Society. They also hold fundraising events, meet with industry professionals, and overall share the love of plants. Currently he is employed at Harrington’s Greenhouse in Ellsworth, WI where they grow flowering annuals, vegetables, and ornamentals. This summer Hayden will be focusing on an internship with the city of River Falls Public Works, along with summer classes. He will be working closely with Public Works to help manage the parks department along with helping them design some garden bed features. Hayden hopes to one day own and operate his own greenhouse growing bedding annuals, ornamentals, and perennials.