Matthew is studying Aviation maintenance Technology at Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, Wisconsin. Mario Flores, one of Matt's instructors, describes him as a hard-working, self-starter.

Flores continued, "Matthew understands exactly what an aircraft maintenance technician is all about." "He is a resourceful, creative, and solution-orientated person who is frequently able to come up with new and innovative approaches to his assignments", Flores said.

Matthew chose aviation for his pure fascination and love of flight which began when his father took him to air shows as a child. Wittenwyler feels his industrial maintenance background is a good fit with his new career goals. Matthew hopes to eventually earn his pilot certificate.
 

2008 Theissen Field Scholarship
Jordan Valiga

Hailing from Wisconsin's Northwoods, Jordan became interested in aviation after attending EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. An uncle continued to fuel that interest with numerous rides is a Cessna 172.

That early interest led Jordan to Fox Valley Tech's Aviation Center located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Jordan earned his Aircraft Mechanic certificate this spring and plans on returning to Fox Valley Tech to attend their avionics program.
 

Ryan, a student at Blackhawk Technical College, plans to graduate as an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic, work in the field for three to five years and then pursue the Inspection Authorization. Eventually Ryan would like to open his own maintenance facility specializing in antique aircraft restoration. He said that aviation has always been the center of his life, and that his passions are working on and flying aircraft.

Richard Theis, one of Ryan's instructors, said that 24-year old student is very committed to aviation. "While attending classes, Ryan hopes to restore aircraft," Theis said. "He does an exceptional job on projects as well as written tests." Ryan holds a 3.77 grade point average.
 

Andrew Ovans is a student at Fox Valley Technical College in the Aeronautics - Pilot Training program. Andrew's career plans include flying regional and corporate jets and ultimately fly for a World War II museum.

Andrew is active in community programs and his church. He assists in supplying underprivileged children with school supplies and sending care packages to troops in the Middle East. He is also helping a group of retires restore a 1937 aircraft.

Fox Valley Tech instructor Jeff Anderson said Andrew is an exceptionally motivated student. Instructor Dennis Moehn said of Andrew, "He is seen as a leader by several other students and his positive attitude about aviation and performing his job as a student helps to motivate others who aren't as enthusiastic."
 

Michael Ericson is an A&P student at Blackhawk Technical College. Michael says that aviation leaves him in awe everyday with the new things that he learns. "Everyday I wake up, every time I fly in or see an aircraft, I am reminded how much I enjoy aviation", he said.

Michael's instructors had high praise for him, Mario Flores said of his student, "Michael Erickson has demonstrated exemplary levels of integrity and motivation as well as a very professional attitude. His mechanical curiosity and 'can do' attitude make him a valuable asset to the aviation maintenance  community." Michael also serves as the aviation club treasurer, participates in highway cleanups and Neighborhood Watch programs.

The Theissen Field Scholarship is provided annually by Jerome Theissen. Jerry created the scholarship in order to further the educational and career goals of potential pilots and aircraft mechanics.
 

Matthew decided on an aviation career in first grade, after a trip to South America with his family. He is in the Aeronautics - Pilot Training program at Fox Valley Technical College in Oshkosh. His career plans include obtaining a seaplane rating and eventually becoming an airline pilot.

Matthew is the first recipient of the Jerome Ripp Memorial Scholarship. Ripp was a pilot and developed the Waunakee Airpark.

2006 Carl Guell Memorial Scholarship
David Linton

David Linton is pursuing his A&P Mechanic certificate as a student in Blackhawk Technical College's Aviation Maintenance Technology program. He is moving to a career in aviation after 30 years in computer technology.

Mario Flores, one of David's instructors, described him this way, "David has been a very active member of the Aviation Club and student government this year. His professionalism in the classroom, lab and airport environment has proven his dedication to the aviation field."

David's wife, Sylvia, joked that the one mistake she made in life was buying him an introductory flight twenty years ago. David responded that his wife has been very supportive of his mid-life career change. Linton is an instrument rated, private pilot and airplane owner.
 

2006 Theissen Field Scholarship
Luke Van Lanen

Luke Van Lanen lives in Madison, Wisconsin and is a Blackhawk Tech student in the aviation maintenance program. Luke graduated from St. Could State University in Minnesota and is a multi-engine commercial pilot. After graduating from St. Cloud, he immediately enrolled in the mechanic program to "open up a wide range of additional opportunities."

Luke's instructor, Mario Flores, speaks very highly of him. "Luke has demonstrated exemplary levels of integrity and motivation, as well as a very professional attitude. His mechanical curiosity and can-do attitude make him a valuable asset to the aviation maintenance community."

Another instructor, Rick Theist said, "Luke and his father are building a homebuilt aircraft. Luke will be around aviation, and wherever he is, he will excel."
 

2005 Carl Guell Memorial Scholarship
Tony Colin

Tony Colin has had a life long interest and involvement with aviation. He and his father restored several classic aircraft as family projects. In addition to his studies toward his A&P certification at Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville he is a member of the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard.

35 year old Colin is a single parent active in his community serving as a football coach for seventh and eighth graders and a volunteer reader for his daughter's third grade class. Tony has said that his ultimate goal is to start his own full-blown restoration facility, "from prop spinner to the furthest rear bow of the rudder."

Blackhawk Tech instructor Rick Theis spoke highly of Colin, saying, "His dedication and love for aviation is shown in all the effort he puts forward in his studies and work ethic."
 

2005 Theissen Field Scholarship
David Hoffman

David Hoffman, Oshkosh, received the inaugural Theissen Field Scholarship. Hoffman is enrolled in the Aeronautics - Pilot Training Program at Fox Valley Technical College.

Hoffman became interested in becoming a pilot at the age of ten after attending EAA AirVenture. His goal is to become a professional pilot for a major airline. David is active in his community; he participates in young adult and middle school activities and ministries at his local church. he has worked on highway cleanup projects. While in high school, along with members of his drafting class, he designed and built a park and gazebo for a northern Wisconsin community.

Fox Valley instructor Seth Kremer said that Hoffman is always prepared for class no matter the circumstances. He said the FVTC aviation program is full of new experiences and that Hoffman has adapted to the requirements much quicker than the average student. "In addition, he respects the decisions of others and with experience in his chosen field, he will become a strong leader."
 

2004 Carl Guell Memorial Scholarship
Torran McCarthy

A Navy veteran, Torran McCarthy, is a student at Blackhawk Technical College (BTC). McCarthy worked as an aviation electrician while in the Navy and is now studying for the A&P designation.

"It's an honor to receive the WAHF Carl Guell Memorial scholarship," said McCarthy, "I'm sure there were many qualified applicants. It's nice to win. I'm going to school full time so every bit helps."

McCarthy said the $1000 scholarship will help fund his two year program at Blackhawk while enabling him to get into the workforce. He plans to begin classes after graduating from BTC on a part-time basis to reach his ultimate goal of becoming an aeronautical engineer.
 

2003 Carl Guell Memorial Scholarship
Marjorie (Maggie) Flood

A 43-year-old mother of two is the 2003 recipient of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame Carl Guell Memorial Scholarship. Marjorie Flood, Waukesha, received the $1000 award at the organization’s annual investiture ceremony and banquet on October 25 at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh. The Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame annually awards a $1000 scholarship to a student enrolled in an aviation program at one of Wisconsin’s Technical Colleges.

Ms. Flood enrolled in the Airframe and Powerplant (A & P) program at Milwaukee Area Technical College after losing her husband to cancer. Feeling she needed to “start her life over again” a friend suggested A & P school after she decided on a career in a mechanical line of work. “After doing some research I decided that being an A & P offered the most diverse opportunities for me,” she said. Flood had a lifelong interest in things mechanical; her parents had told her that her favorite thing to do once she could walk was to sneak out to her dad’s machine shed to play with the tools and grease.

Known to her friends as Maggie, her first year of A & P school has had both its challenges and rewards. The sole woman in her class, she has found only support from her classmates. The challenges have been on a more personal level, losing her husband in 2002, and her father in January 2003. Her sons, Ben and Jack, 13 and 15, are adjusting to mom’s busy new schedule but continue to encourage their mom in her goals. “I continue to hear how proud my sons are of me,” she said.

2002 Carl Guell Memorial Scholarship
Gil Weinkauf

Gil is a second year student in Milwaukee Area Technical College's (MATC's) Aviation Technician program. Weinkauf grew up Fairwater, Wisconsin and graduated from UW-Stout. Gil and his wife, Nancy, reside in Grafton, Wisconsin and have three children.

After retiring from teaching Industrial Arts and Auto Mechanics in Germantown he decided it was time for a change. He had always been interested in airplanes and aviation and with his background in mechanics it seemed only natural to become an aviation maintenance technician. He declared that it was, "time to fulfill a dream.”

Weinkauf currently holds a 3.98 Grade Point Average (GPA), a second job and drives 30 miles one-way through downtown Milwaukee to school each day. He also tutors his fellow students.

Gil also holds a Private Pilot Certificate and like many aviators made models as a kid. This kid made model rockets instead of balsa airplanes but the dream was there as it is in many. Upon learning of the scholarship award he exclaimed to his wife, "Wow, look at this, look at this!" He called the award a significant contribution to his aviation education.