Kohl Scholarship Program

State Website: Herb Kohl Educational Foundation for Teachers and Students

2020 Herb Kohl Foundation Excellence Scholarship, Initiative Scholarship, Fellowship and Leadership Award Recipients Announced

--Organization has impacted more than 8,000 people, 3,000 schools in its 30 years--

MILWAUKEE — The selection committee for the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Student Scholarship, Teacher Fellowship and Principal Leadership program has announced recipients of the 312 Herb Kohl Foundation awards for Wisconsin students, teachers and principals. Awards in the amount of $6,000 are being made to 100 teachers, 16 principals, and their schools, and $10,000 scholarships will be given to 193 graduating high school students.

Excellence Scholarship recipients have demonstrated excellence in the academic arena and high motivation to achieve, have displayed a broad range of activity and leadership outside the academic setting, and have shown strong promise for succeeding in college and beyond. Fellowship recipients are educators who have been chosen for their superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, their ability to motivate others, and their leadership and service within and outside the classroom.

Leadership Award recipients are school principals who are being recognized for setting high standards for instruction, achievement and character, and creating a climate to best serve students, families, staff and community. Excellence Scholarship, Fellowship and Leadership Award recipients are selected by a statewide committee composed of civic leaders, and representatives of education-related associations and the program’s co-sponsors: The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools (WCRIS), regional Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESA), the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, and the Wisconsin Parents Association.

Initiative Scholarship recipients, chosen by their schools, have demonstrated exceptional initiative in the classroom and have shown strong promise for succeeding in college and beyond, but have not yet received other academic-based scholarships. “I think it is significant that Wisconsin’s students, teachers, principals and schools are recognized for their devotion to education and learning”, said Dr. Chris Cody, WCRIS board president.

The Kohl Foundation Scholarship and Fellowship program was established by Herb Kohl, philanthropist and businessman, in 1990. Currently in its 30th year of recognizing educational excellence, the foundation has awarded $20.9 million to Wisconsin educators, principals, students and schools. “Education is the key to the future of Wisconsin and our nation. I am very proud of the accomplishments of these students, teachers, and principals and look forward to the great contributions they will make in the future”, Kohl said.

Award recipients were notified of their awards on February 14, 2020. Regional recognition luncheons honoring the recipients will be held in spring, 2020. 

Herb Kohl Educational Foundation 2020 Student, Teacher and Principal Recognition Luncheons have been cancelled.

2020 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Excellence Scholars:

• Kailey Beck, Cashton, Homeschool, Cashton
• Hanna Brey, Ontario, Brookwood High School, Ontario
• Natalie Halderson, Onalaska, Onalaska High School, Onalaska
• Joslyn Hanson, La Crosse, West Salem High School, West Salem
• Braidyn Ruetten, Holmen, Holmen High School, Holmen
• Lily Schmitz, Sparta, Sparta High School, Sparta

2020 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Student Initiative Scholars:

• Lexus Olson, La Crosse, LaCrossRoads - Central Campus, La Crosse
• Breeanna Stedman, West Salem, West Salem High School, West Salem
• Faith Wathke, Wilton, Brookwood High School, Ontario

2020 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellows:

• Megan Hellmann, La Crosse, Blessed Sacrament Elementary, La Crosse
• Heide Mueller, Onalaska, Saint Pauls Evangelical Lutheran School, Onalaska
• Michelle Powell, La Crosse, Spence Elementary School, La Crosse
• Jenna Putz, Arcadia, Arcadia Middle School, Arcadia

2020 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Principal Leaders:

• Amy Oliver, La Crosse, Hintgen Elementary School, La Crosse