Family of Dr. Louis G. Romano '43 & Shirley M. Romano '43
This scholarship is named to honor Gertie the Duck, the heroine of the famous children’s book co-authored by Dr. Louis Romano ‘43 and his friend and fellow alumnus Dr. Nicholas Georgiady ’43. Louis and Nick became boyhood friends on a paper route on Brady Street in the 1930s, and they served together in WWII. Gertie’s true story chronicled her challenges raising a brood of ducklings in downtown Milwaukee near the Milwaukee River. The story has been translated into many languages and enjoyed by children throughout the world. Today, Gertie’s statue can be found on the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge in downtown Milwaukee.
Impact
This scholarship was established in loving memory of Dr. Louis G. Romano (1921-2013) who graduated from Milwaukee State Teachers College with a degree in Education in 1943. Louis and his wife, Shirley M. Romano ’43, were classmates at UWM. Their family seeks to honor their memory by supporting students who wish to become teachers.