Scholarship Helps Students get the Most from College
Janet Gage is grateful to the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration for the 11 years of quality Catholic education she received, first at St. Mary’s Elementary School in Marathon and later at Viterbo University.
In appreciation and to give others the same opportunity, she chose to create the Janet O. Gage Student Housing Scholarship at Viterbo University. The scholarship will provide funds to defray the cost of on-campus room and board.
“I feel very strongly that living on campus is a big part of a college education,” Gage said. Research indicates that students who live on campus tend to be more engaged and successful in the their college careers.
Gage’s scholarship is part of her estate planning. She funds the scholarship each year until the time of her passing, when funds will be used to make it an endowed scholarship. Endowed scholarships go on in perpetuity, creating a legacy in the name of the benefactor.
Students who attended Marathon or Stillwater schools are eligible to receive the scholarship. If no students are available, the scholarship will be awarded to an international student studying at Viterbo and living on campus. International travel is also an important part of a college education, Gage said.
Gage was one of the original three students to reside in Viterbo’s first dorm, the former Bishop’s house, St. Catherine’s Hall in 1950. Gage earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Viterbo in 1953. She went on to enjoy a 25-year career as a counselor with the Stillwater, Minn. School District, where much of her work was with junior high students.
“It was challenging and rewarding work,” she said.
Gage recently visited campus in March for the annual Scholarship Luncheon, at which scholarship recipients and benefactors have the opportunity to interact.
“Viterbo looks fantastic, I’m very happy it’s doing so well,” she said. “I’m very pleased with the progress the university has made over the years. I felt this scholarship was a good investment.”