Class of ’59 creates new scholarships

By Pat Howard
Cardinal Staff

The Saint Mary’s University class of 1959 raised over $1.66 million, including for two scholarships known as the Brother I. Basil Rothweiler ’38 Endowed Scholarship and the Ken Wiltgen Endowed Scholarship.

Sophomore Stephen Schmidt was the first to receive The Brother I. Basil Rothweiler ’38 Endowed Scholarship, which honors the seventh president of SMU who was committed to the mission of the Lasallian Christian Brothers. Schmidt was chosen for the scholarship due to his participation in the Lasallian Teacher Immersion Program (LTIP) and for his highly recognized ambition to become a teacher, said Meg Richtman, director of alumni relations.

Junior Ryan Wockenfus was the first to receive the Ken Wiltgen scholarship, named in honor of longtime SMU teacher and coach, Ken Wiltgen. Wockenfus, an education major who participates in basketball and track and field, was chosen for the scholarship because of his dedication to both academics and athletics, Richtman said.

Both Schmidt and Wockenfus attended the Homecoming celebration for the class of 1959 this past June. The trip back to Winona allowed both students to have dinner and meet the class members who provided the gifts to the university. Each student also gave a formal thank you speech to the class of 1959 at the Homecoming celebration.

“The most memorable part of the evening was the slide show that depicted old photographs of former students playing sports and being involved on campus,” Wockenfus said.

Schmidt said that seeing Brother Basil and being able to personally thank him
was an experience he will not forget.

“Meeting the first two recipients of the scholarships was an ideal way to find common ground between the class of 1959 and students at SMU today,” said Vickie Cada, director of stewardship services. The class of 1959 is confident that future students who receive the scholarships will deserve them after the evening shared between alumni and current students.”