Returning adult students honored

Seventeen adult students are being honored at the University of Wisconsin–Madison with awards or scholarships that recognize their academic excellence and contributions to the community.

Howard Martin, associate vice chancellor and dean of the Division of Continuing Studies, and Pat Fessenden, assistant dean of the division and director of the Adult and Student Services Center, will present the awards at a reception from 4:30-6 p.m. on Friday, March 31, at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St.

This year’s recipients of Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student awards are Denise Contreras and Mary Kirkendoll. Contreras, a mother of two who works full time at MATC, will graduate from UW–Madison this spring with a degree in psychology and a certificate in women’s studies, and plans to go on to the nurse practitioner program. Kirkendoll, a mother of three and a well-known community activist, plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work at UW–Madison. Kirkendoll is also receiving a Single-Parent Scholarship Award.

Three other finalists for the Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Awards this year are Ed Erwin, who will complete a bachelor’s degree in social work this year; Daniel Koblitz, a political science major, acting chair of the State of Wisconsin Deaf and Hard of Hearing Council; and Jennifer Theobald, who will complete her nursing degree in May.

Among the thousands of “nontraditional” students attending college today, single parents face unique challenges. The Nancy W. Denney Memorial Scholarships and the Single-Parent Scholarship Awards grew out of a need to recognize and support these students.

The following students are receiving Nancy W. Denney Memorial Scholarships: Rachel Mosher, Sheila Nguyen, Anna Paltz, Stephen Renteria and Melissa Rollins.

These students will receive Single-Parent Scholarship Awards: Manuela Jobst, American Association of University Women-Madison Branch Scholarship; Mary Kirkendoll, Cynthia McCreary Holbrook Youmans/University League Scholarship; Ramona Rush, University League Scholarship; Sarah Sandell, PLATO (Participatory Learning and Teaching Organization) Scholarship; and Christine Taylor, Bernice D. Kuney Scholarship.

The Alma Baron Second Chance for Women Scholarship has been renewed for Shawn Cassiman. And this year’s recipient of the Joe Corry and Barbara Weston Corry Scholarship is Rachel Byington.