Scholarship Helps Students get the Most from College
Janet
Gage is grateful to the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration for the 11
years of quality Catholic education she received, first at St. Mary’s
Elementary School in Marathon and later at Viterbo University.
In appreciation and to give others
the same opportunity, she chose to create the Janet O. Gage Student Housing
Scholarship at Viterbo University. The scholarship will provide funds to defray
the cost of on-campus room and board.
“I feel very strongly that living on
campus is a big part of a college education,” Gage said. Research indicates
that students who live on campus tend to be more engaged and successful in the
their college careers.
Gage’s scholarship is part of her
estate planning. She funds the scholarship each year until the time of her
passing, when funds will be used to make it an endowed scholarship. Endowed scholarships
go on in perpetuity, creating a legacy in the name of the benefactor.
Students who attended Marathon or
Stillwater schools are eligible to receive the scholarship. If no students are
available, the scholarship will be awarded to an international student studying
at Viterbo and living on campus. International travel is also an important part
of a college education, Gage said.
Gage was one of the original three
students to reside in Viterbo’s first dorm, the former Bishop’s house, St.
Catherine’s Hall in 1950. Gage earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from
Viterbo in 1953. She went on to enjoy a 25-year career as a counselor with the
Stillwater, Minn. School District, where much of her work was with junior high
students.
“It was challenging and rewarding
work,” she said.
Gage recently visited campus in
March for the annual Scholarship Luncheon, at which scholarship recipients and
benefactors have the opportunity to interact.
“Viterbo looks fantastic, I’m very
happy it’s doing so well,” she said. “I’m very pleased with the progress the
university has made over the years. I felt this scholarship was a good
investment.”