This is an archived UW-P news item,
originally posted: 9/20/2007.
Success Began at UW-Parkside
UW-Parkside student-scholars, donors and guests were pleased to welcome Dr. Gina Schueneman as Keynote Speaker at the 38th Annual Scholar and Donor Recognition Night held on campus on September 14, 2007. Dr. Schueneman, a former UW-Parkside scholarship recipient, spoke before a hushed crowd of 360 people as she shared the story of her journey from her days as a UW-Parkside pre-medical student, to her current position as a full-time faculty member and Assistant Program Director for the American Osteopathic Association/University of Illinois-Chicago/Illinois Masonic Family Medicine Program in Chicago, IL. Not only does Dr. Shueneman manage a private practice, focusing on women's health and musculoskeletal medicine, she also teaches residents.
A native of Waukegan, IL, Dr. Schueneman chose to attend UW-P after her high school counselor asked her if she ever considered becoming a doctor. "I'll tell you something," Dr. Schueneman told the crowd, "that one simple question was enough to make me think about it. He made me think that it was possible."
Dr. Shueneman chose to begin her pre-medical studies at UW-Parkside because "I knew this school could offer me a good education in a diverse scholastic environment." She went on to credit the late Alma Renish (UW-Parkside's pre-med advisor at the time), as well as the many medical-related volunteer experiences made available to her through the university.
After graduating Magna Cum Laude from UW-Parkside, Dr. Schueneman reported that "the first years of medical school were very intense." "But, I'd like you to realize," she went on to say, "it all comes back here [UW-Parkside]... my family and experiences were my foundation...all of my success started here, at UW-P." According to Dr. Shueneman, the underpinnings of that success also included the UW-Parkside scholarships she received. To UW-Parkside donors she said, "thank you so much for giving me such an amazing opportunity, but," gesturing across the room, "also for giving these young men and women a bright future." Her parting words for scholars: "be proud to be here, be grateful for your scholarships, and promise to work hard at your studies because one day they may take you exactly where you want to be."
Note: UW-Parkside's 2008-2009 universal scholarship application is now available. Application deadline is Feb. 1.
Publish date: 9/20/2007
