Demeter is a nonprofit organization with a primary mission of providing support for undergraduate students in CALS. Introducing student awardees is always the highlight of Demeter’s annual Corn Roast Picnic in September. During the 2023-24 academic year, student support totals $49,000, the largest in Demeter’s century-long history. The greatest portion of this support provides $36,000 in scholarships to 22 students. Five of the scholarships enabled students to study abroad during summer 2023. These scholars were engaged in laboratory research in England, Iceland, India or Thailand, in disciplines ranging from global health and molecular biology to biomedical engineering.

Demeter members are grateful to Karen Martin, recently retired CALS Scholarship Director, for distributing scholarships to qualified students over the past 15 years. The Demeter Education Committee, chaired by Emeritus Professor George Shook, in collaboration with Demeter Treasurer, Emeritus Professor Douglas Maxwell, planned the allocation of scholarships from available Demeter funds.

Donations large and small over many years have made these scholarships and other awards possible. More than 80% of this year’s awards came from endowments established by Demeter members at University of Wisconsin Foundation; the remainder was from donations by individual members to the Demeter Education Fund during the previous fiscal year. Demeter aims to continue growing its membership and support for CALS students.

To learn more please visit https://demeterwi.org.