GREEN BAY, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay received a $1 million scholarship gift from alumnus Dr. Paul J. Schilling, a 1982 graduate, aimed at expanding access to STEM degrees for high-achieving students with financial need.

The newly established “Dr. Charles Ihrke Scholarship Fund” will support incoming undergraduate students pursuing STEM majors — empowering the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers and community leaders.

This gift is more than a scholarship — it’s a tribute to the power of mentorship and a bold investment in the future of northeast Wisconsin. Schilling created the scholarship to honor his former faculty advisor, Professor Emeritus Dr. Charles “Chuck” Ihrke, whose guidance helped shape his academic and professional journey.

Ihrke, a founding faculty member in human biology at UW-Green Bay, was known for his unwavering dedication to students and was recognized with the university’s Founders Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1984.

The four-year renewable $5,000 scholarship offers financial support and stability to families. When paired with UW-Green Bay’s academics, hands-on learning opportunities and undergraduate research options, it makes earning a STEM degree more accessible and affordable, allowing students to stay focused on learning and preparing for their careers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM careers are projected to grow by 8% in the next nine years throughout the U.S. At UW-Green Bay, where more than half of students are first generation, this scholarship has the power to change lives. “The impact of this gift for our students cannot be understated,” said Kate Burns, UW-Green Bay provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “As an access institution, this gift not only highlights the incredible impact the UW-Green Bay faculty have on their students but will be life-changing for those who receive it.”

The scholarship will be awarded to incoming full-time undergraduate students who meet this criteria:

— Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national;

— Must be majoring in a STEM discipline, including (but not limited to): human biology, biology, chemistry, environmental science, geoscience, water science, computer science, engineering, engineering technology, or mathematics and statistics;

— Must have a minimum high school grade-point average of 3.3;

— For renewal for up to four years, recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 at UW-Green Bay;

— Preference will be given to students with the greatest financial need, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid;

— After financial need is assessed, scholarships will be awarded based on academic merit.

This scholarship is designed to remove financial barriers and empower students to pursue rigorous STEM degrees that are critical to solving tomorrow’s challenges that benefit both them and the region. The first scholarships will be awarded to students enrolling in Fall 2026.

Prospective students can explore eligible STEM majors, apply for admission and connect with an admissions counselor at uwgb.edu/apply. After admission, students must submit a separate scholarship application through the general scholarship application. For maximum consideration, all scholarship application materials should be submitted by Feb. 15, 2026.

Schilling’s gift reflects the spirit of UW-Green Bay, where mentorship, academic excellence and community impact go hand in hand. It also reinforces the university’s commitment to increasing access to STEM education for students from all backgrounds.

“We are deeply grateful to Dr. Schilling for his generosity and vision,” UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander said. “This scholarship honors a beloved professor and opens doors for students who will shape the future of science and technology.”

Schilling is a board-certified radiation oncologist with more than three decades of experience in cancer treatment and research. A native of Cincinnati, he earned his bachelor’s degree in human biology, magna cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay before completing his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine and residency at Hahnemann University Hospital, where he served as chief resident. Schilling has held leadership roles with the American College of Radiation Oncology and the American Cancer Society, earning honors such as the gold medal from the American College of Radiation Oncology and the Hope Award from the American Cancer Society.

Ihrke earned his bachelor of science in biology and history from UW-Oshkosh, a master’s in biology from the University of Omaha, and a Ph.D. in genetics and botany from Oregon State University. Joining UW-Green Bay in 1969, he taught courses ranging from introductory biology to advanced genetics and developed one of the Midwest’s first interdisciplinary undergraduate courses in human genetics. Over a 30-year career, Ihrke served as chair of biology and human biology, faculty representative to the NCAA, and chaired key university committees, including the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee and Prior Learning Council. Honored with the UW-Green Bay Founder’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1984, he was widely praised by students for his clarity, patience and commitment to high standards. Ihrke retired in 1999 as associate professor emeritus of human biology.