Scholarships
The Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention (CFI) seeks to provide financial assistance, in the form of scholarships and awards, to victims of serious foodborne illness and those individuals who have demonstrated, through their activities, a commitment to improve food protection in America. Funding for CFI scholarships and awards will be provided by the Kevin Michael Kowalcyk Memorial Scholarship Fund. In the future, CFI hopes to increase the number of scholarships and increase the amount of the awards that it can offer.
Kevin Michael Kowalcyk Memorial Scholarship Fund
In 2002, Barbara and Michael Kowalcyk established the Kevin Michael Kowalcyk Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of their 2 ½ year old son, Kevin, who died in 2001 from complications due to an E. coli O157:H7 infection. Since that time, the Kowalcyks have raised over $8,000 towards the permanent endowment and have awarded over $2,500 in scholarships. The fund is managed and maintained by the Madison Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3)community trust based in Madison, Wisconsin that was established in 1942 to administer and grow its endowment and to distribute the earnings to benefit the community.
Mount Horeb Area High School Scholarship
Following the death of their son, the Kowalcyk family was overwhelmed by the support and compassion of their community, Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. In an effort to give back to that community, the Kowalcyk family awards a $500 scholarship each year to a Mount Horeb graduating senior that meets the following criteria:
- Graduating senior of Mount Horeb Area High School.
- Demonstrated academic achievement.
- Demonstrated commitment to community service.
- Plans to pursue a career in healthcare and/or with children.
A preference is given to students with financial need, as determined by Mount Horeb Area High School. Applications for the scholarship are accepted by the Mount Horeb Area High School Guidance Office.
Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention Scholarship and Award Program
At this time, the Kevin Michael Kowalcyk Memorial Scholarship Fund is accepting donations for the development of CFI’s Scholarship and Award Program, which will be implemented once CFI obtains 501(c)(3) status. Updates on CFI’s 501(c)(3) status and the Scholarship and Award Program will be posted on CFI’s website.
Scholarship Selection Committee
All applications that meet scholarship criteria are reviewed by the Scholarship Selection Committee. Scholarship recipients are selected based on pre-defined criteria, the merits of their application and without bias towards race, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
The Scholarship Selection Committee is chaired by Michael Kowalcyk and members are appointed by the Kowalcyk family. At least half of the committee will be members of the Buck and Kowalcyk families.
Current Members of the Scholarship Selection Committee:
Michael Kowalcyk, Chair
Barbara Kowalcyk
David Buck
Carole Kowalcyk
Gene Kowalcyk
Contact Information
Kevin Michael Kowalcyk Memorial Scholarship Fund
c/o Madison Community Foundation
2 Science Court
P.O. Box 5010
Madison, Wisconsin 53705-0010
(608) 232-1763
www.madisoncommunityfoundation.org
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