Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation is proud to announce the 2021 J Murphy STEM Scholarship recipient: Nicolas Garcia, Memorial High School, Class of 2021. The J Murphy STEM Scholarship, an impactful scholarship established in 2016 with the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation, is a unique opportunity available only to seniors graduating from Eau Claire Area School District.

The scholarship was established through the generosity of an anonymous donor with family roots in the community, and a passion for helping students pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). Each spring, one graduating ECASD senior is selected to receive an impactful $10,000 scholarship to apply toward their college tuition and fees. Additionally, the scholarship is renewable for up to four years, for an incredible total possible funding of $40,000 per recipient.

Mr. Garcia will begin his studies in computer engineering at UW – Madison in the fall. Working toward a career in computer science, he is grateful to be selected for this scholarship. “I am so grateful to be receiving this year's J Murphy STEM Scholarship, and to be the first male recipient,” Mr. Garcia shared. “This will help me launch into UW-Madison, and embrace my future as a Computer Engineer, and beyond.”

Mr. Garcia was one of several remarkable candidates who applied for the scholarship, and came highly recommended. “Nicolas is a very motivated young man who has consistently shown great leadership ability,” shared Scott Erickson, Memorial High School technology teacher.  “Nicolas is a student that is always willing to step up and help others while in class. He has the talent to succeed studying Computer Engineering at the post-secondary level, and has the motivation and strong moral character to be successful. I hold the highest regard for this young man.”

The Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation is a supporting organization of the Eau Claire Community Foundation, which serves as a bridge connecting donors with charities in order to improve quality of life in the Eau Claire area. As a non-profit 501(c)(3), the ECPSF is dedicated to promoting value-added learning opportunities for students in the Eau Claire Area School District. To learn more about scholarships at the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation, or to open your own scholarship fund, please contact Executive Director, Sarah French, at [email protected] or (715) 852-3015.