ONE SCHOLAR, MANY JOURNEYS

 

"My days are very busy. I am finishing up my last year at UW and I am applying to graduate school. I have a lot on my plate right now but that’s how it has always been."

—Bonnie Jean Williams, graduating senior May 2006 from UW-Madison

Bonnie Jean Williams

UW Senior, Journalism/African American Studies
Hometown: Milwaukee , Rufus King International Baccalaureate High School

When did you start with PEOPLE?
It was the summer after my freshman year in high school. My mom made me do it because she heard it was a new program that offered a scholarship for college.

What was it like?
Scary. I was with a lot of new kids from all over the city. Almost every inner city high school was represented there.

Do you remember a favorite activity?
We went to Great America, Noah’s Arc and a lot of other fun places. We took a lot of trips together and I think that is what made us all become close and build friendships.

It’s a demanding program and takes a big time commitment. What kept you going?
The people. That’s why I think the name for the program is so perfect. It’s the people I
made friendships with that encouraged me to stay. It’s almost like we all had a
commitment to each other that we would complete the program. And when I think about it, almost everyone I came in with graduated from the program that last summer. We were all close and I love every person and still keep in touch with most of the first group of students today.

What does being a PEOPLE college student mean to you?
It means taking advantage of opportunities. It means leading the way, being a trailblazer. It also means giving back and responsibility.

What activities/work are you involved in?
I teach a class of 13 undergraduate students every Wednesday through the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program; tutor for the PEOPLE program at Memorial High school; work as an office assistant in the Office of Admissions. I am also a writing fellow with the Writing Center along with being a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

What are your plans for the future?
My future plans are to go to graduate school for an M.A. in African American Studies and then to go on to the Ph.D. program for English in composition and rhetoric; to one day teach and be a college professor at a prestigious college campus; and to be able to come back and give speeches at PEOPLE program functions and to watch the program grow!

Do you have any advice for new students ?
Have fun. The work starts when you get here. Be prepared to work hard, but try to learn as much as you can and enjoy the PEOPLE.

"We ask you to reach back and lift as you climb." — Jackie Dewalt, Assistant Director, PEOPLE