MONROE — The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association this week announced that UW-Madison freshman Chesney Slotten and sophomore Xiaolin Liu have been selected as the 2025 recipients of the John and Katie Baumann Inspiration Project Scholarship.
About the Scholarship
Established by John Baumann ’82 and Catherine Doyle-Baumann ’85, the scholarship supports undergraduate students from Green County attending UW-Madison. Recipients are chosen based on their embodiment of the Wisconsin Idea, which emphasizes the university’s impact beyond the classroom and throughout the state.
“Katie and I are honored to support these two outstanding young women as they pursue their education at one of the nation’s finest institutions — our alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison,” said John Baumann, former president and CEO of Colony Brands, Inc.
Meet the Recipients
Chesney Slotten is a freshman from Monroe who first visited UW-Madison as a high school junior.
“I chose to be a Badger because Wisconsin is home to me, and I feel even more at home at the University of Wisconsin-Madison,” said Slotten. “When I visited campus, my head began to spin with limitless dreams of what I could achieve here.”
Xiaolin Liu is a sophomore from Monroe pursuing mechanical engineering. She credits UW-Madison’s strong sense of community with helping her flourish academically and personally.
“As a second-year student, I am involved in several campus communities, including LEED (Leaders in Engineering Excellence and Diversity Program), RoboMaster, and AASU (Asian American Student Union),” said Liu.
“These organizations help me connect with other students who share similar backgrounds and interests, and they provide a strong support system as I transition into college life.” Liu added, “As someone with a strong interest in mechanical engineering and robotics, I knew this university would provide me with the academic foundation and research opportunities I needed to achieve my goals.”
Both recipients expressed deep gratitude for the scholarship, which allows them to focus on their studies and pursue their dreams without the burden of financial stress.
About the Donors
John Baumann and Catherine Doyle-Baumann are dedicated members of the Badger community. John served on the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association Board of Directors for 11 years. He currently serves on the University of Wisconsin Athletic Board and as president of the Colony Brands Foundation. The couple established this scholarship to give back to their home community and support students who embody the values that made their own UW-Madison experience transformative.
