Madison, WI – August 5, 2021 – UW Credit Union recently awarded 10 scholarships of $3,000 to student members actively working to improve their local and campus communities. Applicants were required to be new or returning full-time undergraduate students attending a UW System school, Madison College or Edgewood College.

Two recent high school graduates and eight current college students received a combined $30,000 on the credit union’s behalf. The annual scholarship program recognizes students’ community-centered employment efforts and campus-focused awareness initiatives, in addition to their academic success. Last year, UW Credit Union doubled its scholarship investment from $15,000 to $30,000.

“Post-pandemic, we’re seeing cost-of-living increases, but also spikes in tuition, food and electronics,” said Sherry Peplinski, Educational Lending Product Manager for UW Credit Union. “We’re thrilled to offset some of those increases with scholarship money while also elevating contributions that extend beyond the classroom.”

Winners of the 2021 Community Value Scholarship, now in its eighth year, are as follows:

Jared Baudhuin, UW-Madison: Baudhuin joined his local fire department at 17 years old, following 80 hours of technical training. He was later recruited for the Emergency Planning and Collaboration Operations Team for Southern Door Schools to lead fire drills and design grid layouts.

Alyssa Dobbs, UW-Whitewater: A track and field athlete and ROTC cadet, Dobbs regularly volunteers at Milwaukee-area races and marathons to benefit local non-profits. On campus, she raises awareness for mental health, sexual assault and the LGBTQ+ community through multiple student clubs.

Braedon Gilles, UW-Stevens Point: As an honors ambassador, Gilles boosts campus engagement through event planning and promotion, while directing residence hall students to available campus resources. Those resources include everything from study tips to personal development.

Katie Jensen, UW-La Crosse: The pandemic prompted Jensen to expand her roles with UWL’s recreation center, Campus Activities Board, and Pre-Dentistry Club to advocate for students’ mental and physical health. Jensen also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity through its local ReStore.

Zachary Muñoz, UW-Whitewater: As an Eagle Scout and National Honor Society member, Muñoz logged hundreds of community service hours, including restoring his high school’s cross-country track. Now pursuing a career in the U.S. Army, Munoz is eager to broaden his service opportunities.

David Petty, UW-Madison: A founding member of his high school’s Black Student Union, Petty helped to foster a more inclusive learning environment for African American students while advocating for the greater BIPOC student community through diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Naomi Raicu, UW-Milwaukee: After completely revitalizing her high school’s science club in her role as co-president, Raicu seeks to recreate that transformation at UW-Milwaukee. Her goal is to supplement classroom instruction and spark passion through enriching physics extracurriculars.

Brianna Schubert, UW-Milwaukee: Schubert manages the campus Instagram account for the Health Promotion and Wellness department, educating hundreds of students on the importance of stress relief, mindfulness and safety precautions through tangible tips and “feel-good” content.

Peyton Sherry, UW-Oshkosh: After witnessing the impact of hate speech on another student, Sherry organized an event around ways to disarm hatred and promote empathy. The progressive conversation encouraged students to redirect resentment into productive ways to address inequities. 

Ava Wildenborg, UW-Madison: Wildenborg is an active member of the Wits N’ Bits 4-H group and FFA. She relies on her extensive agricultural experience to coordinate dairy farm events and mentor today’s youth through hands-on demonstrations and interpersonal skills practice.

“Being a member of the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department has taught me how to be a leader,” said Jared Baudhuin, incoming senior at UW-Madison. “I’ve witnessed tragedy and devastation, but also the amazing ways a community comes together to support those in need. That unity is everything.”

To learn more about the Community Values Scholarship, visit https://www.uwcu.org/about-us/community-giving/scholarship/.

About UW Credit Union

UW Credit Union is a growing, federally insured financial institution and a leading provider of a full range of financial services to University of Wisconsin communities. UW Credit Union's more than 800 employees serve the financial needs of nearly 300,000 members through world-class technology systems, and through a convenient network of 29 branch locations and over 100 ATMs. With assets exceeding $4.6 billion, UW Credit Union is ranked nationally among the leading credit unions. Founded 90 years ago by members of the University of Wisconsin faculty and staff, UW Credit Union continues to operate as a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative with locations in the Madison, Milwaukee, Stevens Point, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Whitewater and La Crosse areas.