2022 Scholarship Awards

Ronald Swanson Endowed Packaging Scholarship Ronald Swanson, a 1978 UW-Stout alumnus, established this scholarship and included UW-Stout in his estate plan for a whole host of reasons. First, the education he received in packaging allowed him to be recruited on campus by General Mills and led to a rewarding and satisfying 28-year career in the packaged food industry and making it possible for him to retire at the age of 55. Second, Ron had the privilege to serve on the Stout University Foundation Board of Directors for several terms. This opportunity allowed Ron to “stay young” and remain in contact with the happenings at Stout and the Menomonie and Dunn County communities. Finally, and perhaps most important, Ron has “Blue Devil” blood running through his veins. Born in Menomonie while his parents were living in the post WWII Stout married student housing complex known as Fair Oaks, Ron was raised as a “faculty brat” with all its benefits, including free access to Stout State College athletic events, being able to shoot hoops with his little brother and the Ruehl boys in the “big gym” on the uppermost floor of Bowman Hall, learning how to swim in the pool at the Natatorium, and relishing the annual summer watermelon slice event sponsored by summer school faculty on the lawn in front of Bowman Hall. Because of the opportunities UW-Stout afforded Ron’s parents, he was able to live in the same neighborhood, in the same town and attend the same schools with the same circle of friends and acquaintances from birth until he left Menomonie. This allowed for a stability through childhood and adolescence that Ron did not fully appreciate at the time, but now realizes how important it was in his journey into adulthood. The annual award is $2,500. Bradley Reinhart Scott Swanson Memorial Endowed Scholarship Scott Swanson, transferred to UW-Stout as a non-traditional student, graduating in 1999 with a major in business administration. This scholarship was established in Scott’s memory upon his unexpected death in January 2020. Scott’s parents, both who also graduated from UW-Stout, Avalene Drake Swanson, 1961 in home economics education and the late LeRoy Swanson, 1964 MS in guidance and Ccounseling, gifted this scholarship in Scott’s memory and in gratitude to the admissions counselor and instructors who helped pave the path for Scott’s 20+ year career at 3M. Scott started his career at 3M in St. Paul as an intern, completing two coop assignments. Scott went on to a very successful career in the supply chain division. This scholarship is awarded to a junior, senio, or graduate student pursuing any major. The annual award is $3,000. Emily Harley

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