The estate of the late Arthur W. Mueller, Jr., of West Bend has given a $500,000 gift to endow two scholarship funds in the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Proceeds from the sale of 1,100 acres of land in Vilas County has been donated to the UWSP Foundation to provide several $1,000 annual scholarships to entering as well as upper level students majoring in natural resources.

Mueller, who was a gifted mathematician, taught at a number of private schools in Milwaukee and "led a very frugal life," according to his attorney. Mueller operated a farm in West Bend with his brother. His half of the estate, land they owned in Vilas County, was placed into a trust designated the Sylvana Trust.

In his will, Mueller made the statement, "I truly love the land which is hereby designated the Sylvana Trust. It is a treasure from almighty God, a masterpiece of His creation. By placing this land in trust, it is my desire that it be preserved for the education of generations to come�"

The trustees of the Sylvana Trust decided the most effective way to carry out his wishes was to use the proceeds from the sale of the land "to help educate those students who, through their dedication and choice of career, will become leaders and guardians of that which Mr. Mueller described as �a masterpiece of His creation.� It is our hope that the recipients of these scholarships will have the same love for the land and the environment as did Arthur W. Mueller, Jr."

"We could have established the scholarships anywhere, but naturally we thought of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point," said Mueller�s trustees. ll

"The Mueller Scholars will directly benefit from the generosity and foresight of this very good friend of our institution," UWSP Chancellor Tom George says. "With these funds, we will be able to bring to our campus even more topflight students who otherwise may not have the wherewithal to attend college. The Mueller Scholars will carry Arthur Mueller�s legacy with them as they pursue their careers in natural resource management and education."

Incoming freshmen applying for the Mueller Scholarship will need to be ranked in the top 15 percent of their high school class, have financial need, demonstrate leadership skills and intend to major in natural resources. Sophomore applicants must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better, financial need and leadership skills. Upper class CNR majors will need to meet the same criteria.

Freshman recipients will be chosen each year by the University Scholarship Committee. Sophomore through senior winners will be selected by the CNR Scholarship Selection Committee and will be recognized at the annual CNR Rendezvous Awards Program.

"Mr. Mueller is now one of almost 500 people who have established endowments with the UWSP Foundation," said Executive Director Bruce Froehlke. "The Mueller Scholarships will keep his memory alive and his values active for generations to come."

More information about establishing endowments to benefit UWSP and its students is available through Froehlke at 346-3812.

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