West Bend, Wisconsin – Prof. Carl Ziegler (July 19, 1940-April 19, 2021) was a faithful friend and supporter of Cedar Community for many years. He generously gave his time and talents to various campus projects, shared his treasure as a dedicated donor, and offered his wise and thoughtful leadership as a member of our board of directors.
He made an indelible impact on Cedar Community throughout his life. In his passing, he magnified that legacy with an incredibly generous gift from his estate.
With the guidance of his estate trustee and family relative, Ben Schloemer, the Carl Ziegler Endowed Scholarship Fund was established to support Cedar Community team members in their educational and professional development pursuits.
“I continue to be impressed by the thoughtfulness of the process and the exceptional strength of the candidates,” Schloemer said. “I am proud to be a part of this process, and I found every applicant to be truly deserving.”
In May of this year, the third annual application process opened to Cedar Community team members who have been employed with the organization for at least 12 months.
The following individuals were awarded scholarships:
Undergraduate scholarships for four-year programs–$5,000 each:
Kaylee Kratz is a certified nursing assistant at the Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center and will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire this fall. Her studies will focus on pre-medicine, majoring in biology with a minor in Spanish for health professionals. Her long-term goal is to become a physician specializing in endocrinology. Kaylee is enrolled in the BluGold Fellowship, which will allow her to begin faculty-student collaborative research during her freshman year. She says Cedar Community has not only strengthened her desire to pursue medicine but has also shaped the kind of physician she hopes to become.
Claire Willis is a certified nursing assistant at The Cottages at Cedar Run. She continues to work toward her undergraduate degree in kinesiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with plans to pursue a physician assistant degree. This path is deeply personal to her because she wants to expand her ability to care for others. Her role at Cedar Community has shown her that excellent care requires both skill and compassion. Claire deeply values the work she does and hopes to continue growing not only as a caregiver but also as a future PA who leads with empathy, serves with humility, and makes a meaningful impact on residents and coworkers alike.
Technical college scholarships–$2,500 each:
Jamie Dutcher is a certified nursing assistant and med tech at The Cottages at Cedar Run. The opportunity to continue her education is important to her so she can learn more about not only the physical needs of residents, but also their emotional and psychological wellbeing. Jamie hopes to gain a stronger foundation in anatomy, physiology, and overall patient care, along with deeper critical-thinking and communication skills.
Elijah Van Beek graduated from Kewaskum High School in May and will attend Moraine Park Technical College this fall to pursue a nursing degree. He currently works as a certified nursing assistant and med tech at The Willows at Cedar Lake. Elijah is passionate about giving back to his community, including serving as a mentor for the Kewaskum Impact Crew (KIC) Program and Peer-to-Peers. Throughout his time at Cedar Community, Elijah has learned how vital human connection is, and that care is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Kaitlyn Wezyk is a certified nursing assistant currently pursuing an associate degree in nursing at Moraine Park Technical College. At Cedar Community, Kaitlyn has cared for residents in long-term care, rehabilitation, and restorative care programs. She is passionate about empowering residents to achieve their health goals through patient-centered care. This scholarship will allow Kaitlyn to focus on her nursing studies, expand her clinical knowledge, and continue delivering high-quality care.
Continuing education/professional development scholarships – up to $5,000 each:
Emily McElhatton started at Cedar Community as a certified nursing assistant before transitioning into a human resources recruiter role. With this scholarship, she hopes to gain knowledge in compliance and employment law while also expanding her skills in recruitment, policy development, and workplace safety.
Rebecca Naczek worked as a certified nursing assistant before moving into the role of nurse scheduler. Working in healthcare has strengthened her desire to grow professionally in the health information management field. Rebecca’s goal is to apply to the Health Information Technology program at Moraine Park Technical College this fall. The program will allow her to expand her technical knowledge, strengthen her understanding of healthcare systems and data management, and continue building her career path at Cedar Community.
“It is a privilege to steward Carl Ziegler’s legacy through a scholarship created exclusively for our team members,” said Jenny Zaskowksi, philanthropy director. “Carl’s passion for education and his commitment to lifting others continue to guide the purpose of this endowment. His generosity and belief in supporting others remain at the core of this fund while aligning with Cedar Community’s mission and vision.”
