UW-Whitewater: Junior wins $5,000 scholarship

Contact: Jon Werner

(262) 472-2007

wernerj@uww.edu

WHITEWATER ­ For the second time in three years, a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student was awarded the top scholarship in the J.J. Keller and Associates Prospera University Program.

UW-Whitewater junior Patrick Estes won the $5,000 scholarship in the 2009 Prospera University Program Scholarships competition. His winning essay explained why he chose to enter the human resources field and how applications like Prospera, a human resources tool for professors and students, will impact him when he enters the workplace.

Estes, a psychology major with a human resources minor, was surprised with his win.

“It was really unexpected,” he said. “It represents to me a lot of hard work and dedication I’ve put in and my passion for my education.”

“This is a wonderful honor for us (the human resources program); we’re absolutely thrilled Pat won this award,” Jon Werner, management professor, said.

The scholarships have been awarded for the past three years and this is the second time a UW-Whitewater student has been awarded the top honor. In 2007, Michael Baumhardt won the award.

“This honor that Pat received is indicative of the quality of our programs and our students,” Lois Smith, interim dean of the College of Business and Economics, said.

Estes, who hopes to be able to combine his psychology and human resources knowledge in the workplace, feels like the award speaks not only for him but also for UW-Whitewater.

“I’m proud as an individual but also as a part of this university,” he said. “I think it’s really a testament to the quality of our programs.”

J.J. Keller and Associates, a risk and regulatory management company, started the Prospera program to show their commitment to higher education. The Prospera University Program allows professors and students access to valuable human resources industry information as well as a host of interactive tools and applications.