Naomi Wente Receives Scholarship From The University Of Minnesota, Morris

2011 Nov 30

Naomi Wente, Dodge Center, is one of many students to receive scholarships from the University of Minnesota, Morris for the 2011–12 academic year. Wente is the recipient of the Brun Scholarship for Environmental Studies, Russel M. and Margaret M. Fischer Scholarship and the Leroy Welfare Scholarship.

Shaped by her experiences at UMM, Maria Brun 8 believes that as we make our decisions we must consider our role in and impact on the environment. By helping talented students obtain an education that combines environmental topics with a liberal arts education, Maria believes the next generation will be prepared to shape a more environmentally responsible future, from the household, to corporate America, to policy making. In this spirit, Maria created this scholarship to support students who have demonstrated academic excellence in their first year and who are committed to an environmental studies major, as well as to attract and retain potential and current environmental studies majors at UMM.

Margie and Russ Fischer created their scholarship to support UMM, an institution they view as an important asset to the region and to the education of area students. Russ was a valued adviser to Chancellor Dave Johnson in the 1990s on UMM's Chancellor Advisory Council. Margie and Russ grew up in New York. Russ graduated from State University of New York and holds a master's degree from New York University. Since Russ's retirement as an insurance executive, they continue to serve through various volunteer activities in their home communities of Milbank and Minneapolis. They also enjoy travel and attending UMM events. The Russel and Margaret Fischer Scholarship is awarded to a UMM junior or senior, based on his/her academic achievement, and related university activities – theatre, the arts, music, sports, educational clubs and societies, student government, or anything beyond the classroom that adds to a student's personal growth and positively contributes to overall campus life.

Leroy Welfare attended the University of Minnesota West Central School of Agriculture and was a Morris area farmer interested in politics and conservation. He was active in the Farm Bureau and helped organize the Stevens County Seed Co-op and Morris Co-op Elevator Association. The scholarship was established by granddaughter and UMM alumna Judy Wartman Schmidt Blair 3. Recipients are political science majors with a preference to students interested in conservation issues.

Wente, will graduate from Morris in 2013 with a major in environmental studies, political science and gender women sexuality studies.

More than 220 donors, scholarship recipients and family members attended the annual Scholarship Jubilee on October 8, a celebration to honor Morris's generous scholarship donors and talented scholarship recipients.

Through personal and academic discovery, the University of Minnesota, Morris provides opportunities for students to grow intellectually, engage in community, experience environmental stewardship and celebrate diversity. A renewable and sustainable educational experience, Morris prepares graduates for careers, for advanced degrees, for lifelong learning, for work world flexibility in the future, and for global citizenship. Learn more about Morris at morris.umn.edu or call 888-866-3382.