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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cream City Foundation Awards $50,000 to 20 Area Students for its 2023 LGBTQ+ Scholarship Program
MILWAUKEE, WI – Cream City Foundation (CCF) is excited to announce the recipients of the 2023 Scholarship Program after another strong year of applications. This year twenty (20) Milwaukee-area LGBTQ+ students were selected to each receive a $2,500 scholarship totaling $50,000 in awards.
The program continues to be a hallmark area of Cream City Foundation’s commitment to continue to build equity and prosperity within the LGBTQ+ community and investment in the future LGBTQ+ leaders in our area.
“This year CCF awarded nearly twice the number of scholarships from previous school years, becoming one of the most impactful years of the scholarship program since its founding nearly eight years ago.” said Scholarship Committee Chair Angela Harden, adding, “We are incredibly grateful to our donors who have helped us continue this investment to future LGBTQ+ leaders in our area.”
Below is the complete list of the 2023 scholarship recipients.
- Arturo Gonzalez-Villareal (he/him) | Marquette University | Doctorate, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Camiel Hampton (she/her) | Concordia University – Wisconsin | Master’s, Business-Entreprenurial Studies
- Chiến Binh (she/her) | Mount Mary University | Master’s, Professional Counseling
- Cole Lehto (he/him) | UW – Milwaukee | Bachelor’s | Studio Art
- Dan Hughes (he/him) | Medical College of Wisconsin | Doctorate, Medicine
- Edward Willow (he/him) | Medical College of Wisconsin | Doctorate, Medicine
- Emmett Lockwood (he/him/they/them) | UW – Madison | Bachelor’s, Political Science & Gender and Women’s Studies
- Grace Caster (they/them) | UW – Milwaukee | Bachelor’s, Public Health
- Jax Seeger (they/them/he/him) | UW – Milwaukee – Bachelor’s | Community Education/Engagement & Women and Gender Studies
- Leslie Gorham (she/her) | UW – Milwaukee | Master’s, Public Health
- Lexy Lunger (she/her) | UW – Milwaukee – Bachelor’s | Social Work
- Limor Hendricks (they/she) | UW – Milwaukee | Master’s, Social Work
- Marissa Cudworth (she/her) | UW – Milwaukee – Master’s | Sustainable Peacebuilding
- Nicky Russell (they/them) | UW – Milwaukee | Master’s, Social Work
- Paityn Gross (they/them) | Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design | Bachelor’s, Illustration
- Paola Rivera (she/they) | Medical College of Wisconsin | Doctorate, Medicine
- Slater Gutierrez (he/him/they/them) | UW – Milwaukee | Bachelor’s, History
- Syd Weimer (she/her) | UW – Milwaukee @ Waukesha | Bachelor’s, Nursing
- Trenice Ferguson(she/her) | Marquette University | Master’s, Public Service
- Undisclosed Recipient | Medical College of Wisconsin | Doctorate, Medicine
The 2023 Scholarship Program selection committee consists of Cream City Foundation board members and community members. The committee included Angela Harden (Chair), Husch Blackwell; Camrin LaFond, Milwaukee Tool; Laura Mayerle, Natera; Reverend Tory Topjian, Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church; Sangeeta Rajput, GE HealthCare; Emmett Roehr, Milwaukee Tool & Patrina Galgan, Baird.
Cream City Foundation would like to thank Will Radler, Milwaukee Gay Sports Network, Ron Jacquart, and Milwaukee Pride for their support as well as the hundreds of other Cream City Foundation donors. This investment in Milwaukee’s future leaders would not be possible with the support of these people and organizations.
ABOUT THE LGBTQ+ SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Cream City Foundation LGBTQ+ Scholarship Program was founded in 2015 to support LGBTQ+ student leaders in Southeastern Wisconsin. Scholarships can be used for any post-secondary education at the undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate level. Since 2015 the program has awarded $220,000 to local students.
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Contact Info: Charlie Nash – President & Board Chair | (414) 225-0244 | charles.nash@creamcityfdn.org
Meet the Scholarship Recipients
Arturo Gonzalez-Villareal (He/Him) | Marquette University | Doctoral Degree
Arturo Gonzalez-Villarreal is attending Marquette University pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) specializing in both Pediatric Primary and Acute Care. As a first-generation college student and current Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurse, he hopes to make a difference in his community by becoming a Primary Care Provider at a local Milwaukee community health clinic to improve healthcare disparities by representing LGBTQ+ and racial/ethnic minorities in the medical field. During his graduate program, Arturo has had the opportunity to experience multiple clinical rotations focusing on marginalized communities; from Sixteen Street Community Health Clinic to the Gender Clinic at Children’s Wisconsin.
Camiel Hampton (She/Her) | Concordia University | Bachelor’s Degree
Camiel Hampton is attending Concordia University-Wisconsin and pursing a graduate degree in Entrepreneurial Studies. As a member of the LGBTQ community, they are passionate about creating a more inclusive and accepting society through diversity and inclusion. Their long-term goal is to use their education and experience to help the LGBTQ individuals and businesses thrive through inclusive business policies and practices. They believe that entrepreneurship is a powerful tool for social change and can be used to make a positive impact in the world.
Chiến Binh (she/her) | Mount Mary University | Master’s, Professional Counseling
Chiền Binh Nhỏ Sơn is attending Mount Mary University and pursuing a Masters degree in Professional Counseling. As a lesbian Vietnamese-American who is an advocate for human rights, including the rights of communities of color, LGBTQ communities, immigrants, and adoptees, she hopes to continue to contribute to change in the field of psychology by ensuring that therapy and therapeutic interventions are safe and inclusive for marginalized and underserved populations, knowing that they are at risk for higher rates of PTSD and suicide. Chiền Binh’s long-term goal is to achieve a PhD in clinical or counseling psychology, specializing in trauma psychology
Cole Lehto (he/him) | UW – Milwaukee | Bachelor’s | Studio Art
Cole Lehto is pursuing his BFA in Studio Art at the Peck School of the Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His art practice explores themes of identity, transness, safety, and survival through both 2D and 3D media. Cole hopes to use his work as not only a means of expression but also as a representation of trans existence in reality to counteract the increasingly dehumanizing political conversation around transgender existence. Interested in researching and uplifting other queer voices, Cole is working as an intern at the Queer Zine Archive Project located in Riverwest, Milwaukee.
Dan Hughes (he/him) | Medical College of Wisconsin | Doctorate, Medicine
Daniel Hughes is attending the Medical College of Wisconsin where he is pursuing an MD degree. He plans to become an infectious disease clinician with a strong focus on the health of gay men and other MSM, alongside conducting qualitative research on the clinical needs and medical decision-making of that community. His research and clinical training reflect a strong interest in HIV/AIDS treatment, vaccination for both mpox and COVID-19, and other infectious disease issues.
Edward Willow (he/him) | Medical College of Wisconsin | Doctorate, Medicine
Edward Willow is attending in the Medical College of Wisconsin and pursuing his medical doctorate. During his studies he has focused on learning how to utilize medical and mental health resources for communities in financial need in the Milwaukee area by volunteering with the Saturday Clinic for the uninsured. He also has been a persistent advocate for LGBTQIA+ access to safe medical and mental health resources, having volunteered at the Resource Center in Dallas, TX prior to medical school. It is his greatest ambition to start a dual medical and mental health resource clinic for the LGBTQIA+ community after training.
Emmett Lockwood (he/him/they/them) | UW – Madison | Bachelor’s, Political Science & Gender and Women’s Studies
Emmett Lockwood is a rising junior at the University of Wisconsin – Madison pursuing an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Gender and Women’s Studies with minors in Native American Studies and Science, Technology Studies. Emmett has served in student leadership and community fostering roles n hopes of ensuring that LGBTQ+ students find their community on campus and also have student support resources that acknowledge and validate queer students. After graduation, Emmett wants to become a legislative advocate in Congress, they have been inspired by transgender legislators across the country to fight back against the attacks on transgender Americans.
Grace Caster (they/them) | UW – Milwaukee | Bachelor’s, Public Health
Grace Caster will be continuing their education at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee to pursue a bachelor’s in public health. Grace currently serves in the Milwaukee community as a Mentor, as well as a Healthy Relationships Group Facilitator in the Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Detention Center. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Grace gives back by volunteering at BESTD as an HIV Counselor, and at Courage MKE as a group home support. With their degree, Grace plans to help create programs for LGBTQ+ folks, and de-stigmatize the narrative around STDs, advocate for Sex Education, and fight for reproductive healthcare.
Jax Seeger (they/them/he/him) | UW – Milwaukee – Bachelor’s | Community Education/Engagement & Women and Gender Studies
Jaxon Seeger is the Operations Director of the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. They recently relocated from Wausau WI and is known back home as an activist and educator. They have spearheaded countless peaceful protests including but not limited to LGBT Rights, BLM, and Reproductive Rights. Jax also kicked off a resolution to ban conversion therapy in Marathon County which passed. Along with their activism Jax sat on the Diversity & Inclusion Committee for the American Red Cross of WI, was the Head Chair of Wausau Pride, and also started the Wausau Transfam Alliance.
Leslie Gorham (she/her) | UW – Milwaukee | Master’s, Public Health
Leslie Gorham is attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and pursuing a graduate degree in social work. Wanting to take the experiences learned throughout her academic career to be a voice for the LGBTQ+ community. Leslie’s mission is to advocate for everyone who faces oppression and discrimination within this community. Leslie’s long-term goal is to be a school social worker within the MPS system. Giving back to a community that so desperately needs it. Students often feel alone in their struggles in identity, and Leslie will be a role model of hope and empower them through these struggles.
Lexy Lunger (she/her) | UW – Milwaukee – Bachelor’s | Social Work
Lexy Lunger is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is also working toward minors in sociology and women & gender studies and an LGBT studies certificate. Lexy is an advocate and peer educator for LGBTQ+ communities and an advocate for voting rights, bodily autonomy, and communities of color. She is passionate about social justice and community building. Lexy is working toward becoming a clinical social worker focusing on sexual health and trauma, specializing in the mental health of women, LGBTQ folks, BIPOC communities, and systematically underserved populations.
Limor Hendricks (they/she) | UW – Milwaukee | Master’s, Social Work
Limor Hendricks is enrolled at UWM-Milwaukee and will begin a Master’s in Social Work program in September. Limor has a B.S. in psychology and serves at The Youth and Family Project, Inc. through AmeriCorps. After nearly 2 years of volunteer work, creating and facilitating support groups for the LGBTQ+ community and their families in Washington County, Limor is now the LGBTQ+ outreach and resource contact at YFP, and their most exciting project is creating a dedicated LGBTQ+ resource center in Washington County. They want to continue and expand this work with skills learned at UWM.
Marissa Cudworth (she/her) | UW – Milwaukee – Bachelor’s | Sustainable Peacebuilding
Marissa is pursuing the Master of Sustainable Peacebuilding program at the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, where she hopes to learn skills for advocacy and equity building for Latinx coffee farmers. Marissa is a two-time Public Allies Wisconsin alum; she spent her service years engaging communities of color in environmental work in Milwaukee. Her dream is to continue to uplift women, queer folks, and POC in the environmental field in order to build community resilience. Marissa is an advocate for healing justice and encourages folks to rest and heal through authentic self expression, creative pursuits, and a connection to land and water.
Nicky Russell (they/them) | UW – Milwaukee | Master’s, Social Work
Nicky is attending University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee to pursue a Masters degree in Social Work following their undergraduate degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. As an undergraduate, they were the secretary for HOPE, an LGBTQ+ organization on campus, and represented HOPE as an Oshkosh Student Association representative within student government. They hope to work in the mental health field and to specialize in working with LGBTQ+ clients to empower them to reach their goals in a world that can be oppressive and ostracizing.
Paityn Gross (they/them) | Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design | Bachelor’s, Illustration
Paityn Gross will be attending the Milwaukee institute of art and design. They are pursuing a degree in illustration and have different ideas in mind for their future occupation such as character design or a tattoo artist. Paityn hopes to help other members of their community and other minority groups through their artwork to show what these groups face and what we should do to help them. They hope to learn more by listening to their peers and doing what they can to help out.
Paola Rivera (she/they) | Medical College of Wisconsin | Doctorate, Medicine
Paola Rivera currently attends the Medical College of Wisconsin pursuing a degree in Medicine. An advocate for the vulnerable and underserved, she aspires to become a primary care physician to bring needed change that addresses every patient’s concerns regardless of their age and capacity. Paola loves working with the diverse communities of Milwaukee in various roles and recognizes the importance of appreciating the unique qualities of each patient that they encounter in medical situations. Paola continues to push herself to learn as much as she can about other cultures and groups, including those of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Slater Gutierrez (he/him/they/them) | UW – Milwaukee | Bachelor’s, History
Slater is currently attending UW-Milwaukee and working toward a history degree. Slater’s goal with that degree is to look at history and see where queer people fit in, as well as learning everything else. Slater has actively stood up and advocated for the safety of LGBT+ people through art, activism, community participation, and whatever else is necessary.
Syd Weimer (she/her) | UW – Milwaukee @ Waukesha | Bachelor’s, Nursing
Sydney Weimer is a nontraditional, first-generation undergraduate student pursuing nursing at UWM at Waukesha. She aspires to be a forensic nurse to advocate and care for survivors of violent crimes, especially those who are at the highest risk, like the LGBTQ and the BIPOC communities. She has gotten the chance to work with leaders in this field with her undergraduate research at UWM and her work as a volunteer in women’s shelters. She believes that proper, compassionate care is the upmost important factor for continuity of care and a higher quality of life for vulnerable communities that can foster change.
Trenice Ferguson(she/her) | Marquette University | Master’s, Public Service
Trenice Ferguson is attending Marquette University as a Trinity Fellow to pursue a master’s degree in Public Service. After serving in Americorps with College Possible and Public Allies, her career has been devoted to art, social justice, and community engagement. Born and raised in Milwaukee, her long-term goal is to design, enhance, and/or build a nonprofit from the roots of the city. With a city that shines through culture, Trenice believes that Milwaukee can utilize its spaces where diversity and inclusion matters, mental health matters, and community matters.
Undisclosed Recipient | Doctorate, Medicine
This recipient has requested Cream City Foundation not disclose their identity in public forums. Cream City Foundation fully respects their wishes.