Rusk County Community Foundation
Spring Newsletter
Bruce School Fund
The Bruce School District has announced that it is one of the beneficiaries of a local trust and will be partnering with the Rusk County Community Foundation to administer the gift.
The district has received $675,000 from the Joseph R. Geisler Trust to be used as a scholarship fund for Bruce High School graduates pursuing post-secondary education. An additional $50,000 is expected to be added to the fund, bringing the total to $725,000. The Bruce school board has decided to invest the gift through the RCCF to maximize the fund’s potential.
“This fund presents a huge opportunity for students at Bruce High School,” said district Superintendent Joni Weinert. “Many times financial issues prevent graduates from going on to further their education. Hopefully this can help take some of those barriers away.”
Under the provisions of the administrative agreement, money for scholarships will come not from the fund’s principal, but from the return on investment. With anticipated growth, it is expected that the fund will be able to award $25,000–$30,000 in scholarships annually. The school board is currently in the process of establishing a committee to draft guidelines for awarding scholarships, which are expected to begin with the class of 2017.
Joseph Geisler, a farmer and longtime resident of the Bruce area, was a 1944 graduate of Bruce High School and class salutatorian. Geisler passed away in December 2014 at the age of 88 and was preceded in death by his wife, Helen.
“This fund is a moving example of how one person can leave such a lasting and important impact on our community,” said RCCF Chairman Bev Dukerschein. “The Bruce school board’s decision to invest this generous gift with our foundation will ensure that Mr. Geisler’s donation will last in perpetuity and benefit so many of our county’s youth.”
Photo Caption:
Front Row L to R: Rusk County Community Foundation board members Sarah Stibak and Diana Verdegan, Bruce Superintendent Joni Weinert, Bruce school board member Whitney Trott.
Back Row L To R: Bruce school board members Craig Chafer, Andrew Anderson, Joe Kinnear, Andrea Luettgerodt, Steve Golat and Dan Kempen, and RCCF board member Sara Baker.