College-bound seniors honored for achievement

The Kueschel family spoke about the impact the program has had on their lives. Pictured from right, parents Rosy and Kevin with son Kelly. The Kueschels also have a son, Kevin, who won a PEOPLE scholarship and attends the UW-Madison as a sophomore.

Lasting friendships made during formative years in high school provide the glue that keeps PEOPLE students on track. “We all come from different backgrounds, but it [PEOPLE] has shaped us and we share that in common,” Kelly said of the bonds formed beyond neighborhoods or home school boundaries.

Ninety Milwaukee high school seniors who are graduates of University of Wisconsin-Madison’s PEOPLE program were recognized March 6, 2005 at the University Club, 924 E. Wells St.

Milwaukee Public School administrators and teachers, UW alumni, University officials and community partners honored the students who have excelled in the program and are now entering college life.

Seventy students have been admitted for the fall 2006 term at UW-Madison. They will participate this summer in an eight-week Bridge –to-College Program for college credit courses and orientation to university life as an undergraduate. Students take rigorous university-level courses, earn credits toward an undergraduate degree, and interact with other students and faculty.

PEOPLE reception speakers were: Carlos Reyes, Associate Director, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Dextra Hadnot, External Affairs Director, AT&T Wisconsin; Janet M. McCullum, English Teacher, Harold Vincent High School, MPS; Danielle Harris, Senior, Rufus King International Baccalaureate High School; Tony Villegas, Senior, Rufus King International Baccalaureate High School; Kelly Kuschel, Senior, Advanced Language & Academic Studies (ALAS) High School along with his parents Rosy and Kevin Kuschel.

About PEOPLE

PEOPLE, which stands for Pre-College Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence, is the University of Wisconsin’s most successful pipeline initiative to date. Currently, 620 high school students from targeted public school districts participate in the program, which offers a five-year scholarship to those who apply and are accepted under competitive UW admissions requirements.

PEOPLE accepts highly motivated students of color and low-income youth into a rigorous program to build study skills, explore and strengthen academic and career interests, and gain a positive experience of university life.

Of the 257 students who have completed the program, 99% graduated from high school. Ninety-three percent of those 255 have enrolled in higher education, with 52% at UW-Madison and 15% at other UW System schools.

Most encouraging says Walter Lane, director of PEOPLE and assistant dean, is that once they arrive on the UW-Madison campus, PEOPLE students succeed. The average retention rate is 92% versus 81% for other targeted minorities and 88% for all UW-Madison students.

AT&T Foundation has awarded the PEOPLE program $850,000 since 1999.