Submitted by Rebecca White Body, Program Coordinator, Eau Claire Community Foundation
SPRING VALLEY, WI – The Eldon and Josephine Hill Scholarship, a Fund of the Eau Claire Community Foundation, was established in memory of both Eldon and Josephine Hill, past residents of Spring Valley, Wisconsin. It supports the post-secondary educations of Spring Valley graduates by awarding two $12,000 scholarships and two $5000 scholarships each year. The Hill Family plans to endow the Fund with an $850,000 gift to ensure that the Eldon and Josephine Hill Scholarships will be awarded in perpetuity.
Eldon Fred Hill grew up during the Great Depression in the city of Loyal, WI. In 1949, Eldon and his wife Josephine settled in Spring Valley, Wisconsin, where Eldon established his medical practice. During this time, five of their seven children were born, and Eldon cherished the memories of their small, tight-knit rural community. Eldon would go on to practice medicine in Salt Lake City, Utah, and later in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where Eldon continued his medical practice until retirement. He passed away peacefully on April 26, 2023, at the age of 102. The Hill family continues to support Eldon’s belief that everyone should have the opportunity to further their education.
On May 8, 2024, four Spring Valley graduates received the first Eldon and Josephine Hill scholarships. The recipients were selected based on their leadership, academic achievement, and extracurricular involvement. Grade point average was not a determining factor.
“We are incredibly proud of our four students who have earned these inaugural scholarships. These scholarships are a testament to their hard work and a promising step towards their bright futures,” said Spring Valley Schools Superintendent John Groh.
The following Spring Valley High School graduates are the first recipients of the Eldon and Josephine Hill scholarship awards:
- $12,000 four-year scholarships: Abigail Biggs: UW- River Falls, planning to major in Radiography. Joel Anderson: UW-Madison, planning to study Biochemistry on the Pre-Med track.
- $5,000 two-year scholarships: Charli Vanasse: Chippewa Valley Technical College, planning to major in Chemistry. Travis Koenning: University of Northern Ohio, planning to major in Automotive Technology.
Since 1997, the Eau Claire Community Foundation has awarded more than $30 million in grants to over 700 nonprofit organizations. Its diverse array of Funds allows donors to support causes that are important to them. To learn more about establishing a Fund or donating to an existing Fund, please visit eccfwi.org or call (715) 552-3801.
