Michael J. O’Brien Scholarship

Background:

Dr. Michael O’Brien led an “intentional life”, achieving a successful career as an educator and a writer. He was born in Green Bay, WI on August 2, 1943, to Dr. E. J. and Margaret O’Brien and attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and Premontre High School. At Premontre he played on the basketball and golf teams. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana in 1965, and received his Ph.D. in American History from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1970. Michael married Sally in 1966 and they raised four children and have twelve grandchildren. Michael taught history at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point from 1970 to 1972 and at the University of Wisconsin – Fox Valley from 1972 to 2003, where he earned several teaching awards. Michael coached youth soccer and volunteered for Boys and Girls Brigade and Habitat for Humanity. He served on the boards of the Boys & Girls Club and the Clark Lake Association. Michael, focusing on individuals with outstanding character and leadership, authored nine books, including biographies of Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, Joe Paterno, Notre Dame’s President Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, Senator Philip Hart, Vince Lombardi, and John F. Kennedy. This scholarship was established in loving memory of Michael by his family.

Eligibility: (taken into consideration to determine recipients)

• Current students or graduating high school seniors who will be attending the UWO-Fox Cities campus as a part-time (minimum 6 credits) or full-time (minimum 12 credits) student • Pursuing a degree in History, Political Science, or International Relations • Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA • Leadership qualities • Community activities • Financial need will be considered

Award Amount:

One $500 non-renewable scholarship award, payable during the fall semester. Students may reapply each year they are eligible.

Selection:

Recipients are recommended each spring by the Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee along with one family member.

Collecting the Award & Payment Procedure:

Recipients must fill out and submit Scholarship Acceptance Form and Scholarship Verification Form through the Scholarship Portal (https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cffvrscholar). Recipients are required to provide supporting documents as instructed in the Scholarship Verification Form, such as class registration/list with credits listed, proof of major, grade transcript, etc. After approval of online Scholarship Verification Form, the scholarship check will be paid directly to the school the recipient will be attending. The Community Foundation communicates with students via email; it is the student’s responsibility to keep their Scholarship Portal account updated with their current email address.

Loss of Eligibility:

Failure to register as a part-time (minimum 6 credits) or full-time (minimum 12 credits) student pursuing a degree in history, political science or international relations at UWO-Fox Cities campus.

Further Information:

• Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region o Website: www.cffoxvalley.org/scholarships/ o Email scholarships@cffoxvalley.org o Phone 920.702.7629