John & Sherry Stilin
John Stilin is a 1981 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Business School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business degree with an emphasis in Management Information Systems. Due to a lack of clear future goals, he did not have great academic success in his early years at UWM. With the guidance of several mentors, he discovered a passion for computer systems and completely reversed his trajectory in school, ultimately making his way onto the Dean’s Honor List. His education enabled him to pursue a successful career in the computer industry, followed by years of public service as a community volunteer and elected official.
So why did he and Sherry make this charitable gift? John had the unusual fortune of attending UWM with his mother, Jane Stilin, who obtained an Education Degree from UWM in 1977. Having never lost sight of the value of higher education, Jane returned to school to obtain a college degree after raising seven children in a household that ran on a very tight budget.
Impact
Financial challenges could have easily prevented both John and his mother from graduating from UWM. In hindsight, any minor financial setback could have derailed their education plans. With this in mind, the Stilins created this scholarship to give struggling students with high potential and limited financial resources a hand-up to help ensure they successfully complete their college education and achieve their career aspirations.