Mitchell A. Skurzewski
Reporter
Two years ago, Gerald and Charmaine Whitburn provided Merrill High School with a $250,000 gift, to fund a $10,000 scholarship each year, for a graduating Merrill senior to attend one of the University of Wisconsin system’s four-year campuses, over the next 25 years.
The couple recently decided to create another scholarship fund in the amount $250,000.
“We are pleased to announce that the Whitburns have decided to fund a second scholarship and are providing a second $250,000 gift to Merrill High School,” said MAPS Superintendent Dr. John Sample.
“Going forward, we will have two Whitburn Scholarships each year. We are appreciative of the Whitburn’s generosity as they have truly invested in the future success of our graduates.”
The new scholarship was created in memory of the couple’s late daughter Bree, who passed away last year.
Bree Whitburn attended the former Franklin Elementary School in Merrill and went on to receive an undergraduate degree at St. Olaf College, Bree went on to earn a graduate degree at the University of Chicago.
The Whitburns have a history of involvement around education. A member of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents since 2011, Gerald earlier served on the Board of Visitors for the Political Science Dept. at UW-Madison, and served as a member of the Board of the Wisconsin Center for the Academically Talented Youth, the state’s lead advocate for the state’s gifted and talented youth. He also served on the board of Step up for Students, the nation’s largest school choice program, which is based in Florida.
Gerald was a debater at Merrill High and was recruited to UW-Oshkosh to participate in their college debate program. Charmaine, a West Bend native, met her future husband the first week of college at UW-Oshkosh. She later transferred to UW-Stevens Point to finish her undergraduate work. She later completed a Masters degree at the University of Minnesota. After completing his undergraduate work at UW-Oshkosh, Gerald completed a Masters degree at UW-Madison. They were both the first in their families to go to college.
“Aside from family and faith, nothing is more important than quality education and we are pleased to be able to assist Merrill high school grads in the years ahead via these scholarships,” Gerald Whitburn said.