Two former Monroe High School students earn awards
MADISON — UW-Madison freshman Imogen Christen and sophomore Vy Lu are the recipients of the 2021 John and Katie Baumann Inspiration Project Scholarship.
This scholarship program assists undergraduate students who graduated from Monroe High School and are attending UW-Madison. Both students represent the values consistent with the Wisconsin Idea.
“Katie and I are excited to share our appreciation of both our hometown of Monroe and our alma mater, the University of Wisconsin,” said John Baumann, former Colony Brands president and chief executive officer. “We are so excited to help offset the cost of tuition for both Imogene and Vy,” says Katie Baumann.
Imogen Christen is a volunteer with Family Promise, which provides shelter, meals and case management services to families with children in Green County. She often stays the night with people in a shelter used by Family Promise.
“Volunteering has made me realize that I can help in so many ways, whether great or small,” said Imogen. She is pursing a degree in business with hopes of establishing a career in finance or accounting.
Vy Lu played on the Monroe High School tennis team. Vy and her parents emigrated from Vietnam. Vy volunteered at Big Brothers Big Sisters where she connected with elementary students.
“I hope to graduate with a major in psychology, so I can pursue a career in that field,” said Vy. She added that she is grateful to John and Katie Baumann for selecting her for a second year. “This fund really helps not only me, but my family as well,” said Vy. “I owe everything to my loving parents, and to help them not have to worry about my college expenses means so much to me.”
John Baumann ’82 and Catherine Doyle-Baumann ’85 initiated this scholarship fund. They are passionate members of the Badger community. John served on the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association Board of Directors for eleven years. He retired from his role as President and CEO of Colony Brands, Inc. after 35-years with the company and now serves as the President of the Colony Brands Foundation.
