UW–Platteville students Avamarie Brueggeman and David Ababio received the 2017–18 UW System Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Achievement Award.
They will be honored at a luncheon on the UW–Madison campus Friday, Oct. 27.
The Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Academic Achievement Award honors the outstanding scholarship and community service of undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented minority groups pursuing a degree in business or engineering at UW–Madison and UW–Platteville.
Brueggeman, an electrical engineering major with minors in mathematics and computer science, is actively involved on campus. The Reedsburg native is the upcoming president of Eta Kappa Nu, UW–Platteville’s electrical engineering honor society. She is also a member of UW–Platteville Chancellor Scholars, Phi Kappa Phi and Tau Beta Pi. During her freshman and sophomore years, she played the clarinet in UW–Platteville’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble and lived in the Women in STEM Living Learning Community.
However, if not for scholarships, Brueggeman may not have had the opportunity to be so thoroughly involved around campus. Brueggeman pays for college and additional expenses herself, so she applies for as many scholarships as possible.
“Without scholarships, I would have never been able to afford college and would have missed out on so many incredible opportunities,” said Brueggeman. “I am extremely happy to attend a university that cares about its students and celebrates diversity and academic achievement. I am so grateful to receive this award and feel thankful that the UW System recognizes minority students with scholarships like this.”
After graduation next spring, Brueggeman plans to pursue her doctorate degree in electrical engineering and conduct research on medical devices.
Ababio, a Platteville native, is an electrical engineering major with a minor in microsystems and nanotechnology. Although he has spent the last year focusing on a co-op, this year he hopes to continue his on-campus involvement as a mentor and executive board member for UW–Platteville FIRST Robotics, Engineers Without Borders, International Student Club, Conversation Partnering, Swing Dance, University Orchestra and the men’s choir.
“I’m still trying to settle with the reality that I actually am receiving this honor,” said Ababio. “I never would have imagined getting selected, and I’m unbelievably humbled that I was chosen.”
Although Ababio is still deciding between graduate school or entering the workforce directly after graduating next spring, he knows that honors similar to that of the Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Achievement Award can help in more ways than one.
“I am approaching the next chapter of my story, and knowing that I can achieve high honors like this award really ignites my passion to continue my education so I can use all I’ve learned to help improve the quality of life for other people,” said Ababio.
The Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Achievement Awards are given by the UW System Administration and are funded by an endowment contributed by Alliant Energy Foundation in 2006. Alliant Energy established the award to recognize and honor Erroll B. Davis, Jr., former CEP of Alliant Corp. and former Board of Regents member for the UW System.
Dr. James Henderson, UW System vice president for Academic and Student Affairs, will present the award to the recipients this fall. Each recipient of the award will receive a gift of $3,000 upon graduation.
