By Tony Langfellow
GREEN BAY (WLUK) — UW-Green Bay announced a scholarship initiative to help ease financial burdens for STEM students.
It’s one of the largest gifts in university history.
“We know gifts like this empower people who are absolutely needed and qualified to get these kinds of degrees to come here and get it done and not have it be a financial burden,” UW-Green Bay chancellor Michael Alexander said.
The $1 million gift comes from alumnus Dr. Paul J. Schilling ’82. Dr. Schilling created the scholarship to honor his former faculty advisor, Professor Emeritus Dr. Charles “Chuck” Ihrke, whose guidance helped shape his academic and professional journey.
“I’ve been very successful because of UWGB and because of the advice and mentorship that I’ve received here. So I’m hoping to further promulgate that,” Schilling said.
Dr. Ihrke, a founding faculty member in Human Biology at UW-Green Bay, was known for his dedication to students and was recognized with the university’s Founders Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1984.
He said a scholarship in his honor came as a touching surprise.
“Pretty excited for the students who are going to prosper from this and the university, which will do nothing but become better and better,” Ihrke said.
For many STEM students, this opportunity will make earning a degree accessible and affordable, ensuring they can focus on learning and preparing for careers in high-demand fields.
The $1 million gift will become four-year renewable $5,000 scholarships for STEM students to apply for.
Schilling said he understands the challenges of paying for college.
He hopes his gift can serve as inspiration for future Phoenix.
“Many students want to go into STEM, but I think this might make the difference actually coming to UWGB versus going to another school and that’s what I’m hoping for,” Schilling said.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM careers are projected to grow by 8% in the next nine years throughout the U.S. At UW–Green Bay, where more than half of students are First Generation, this scholarship has the power to change lives.
Criteria:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national
- Must be majoring in a STEM discipline, including (but not limited to): human biology, biology, chemistry, environmental science, geoscience, water science, computer science, engineering, engineering technology, or mathematics and statistics
- Must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.3 (For renewal (up to four years), recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 at UW-Green Bay)
- Preference will be given to students with the greatest financial need, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid. After financial need is assessed, scholarships will be awarded based on academic merit
STEM students wishing to apply for a scholarship, can do so here.Application materials must be submitted by Feb. 15, 2026.
The first scholarships will be awarded to students enrolling in Fall 2026.
Source: UW-Green Bay launches historic scholarship to support STEM students’ financial needs