Edward and Betty Kossak Scholarship

The Edward and Betty Kossak scholarship was established in 2010, after Ed passed away in January of that year. Ed was born in Superior in 1926 and Betty was born in 1929, also in Superior. Betty and Ed were married on Aug. 26, 1961, and enjoyed entertaining friends at “The Lake,” traveling together, and visiting their adopted families and friends. They were both graduates of UW-Superior, he in 1965 and 1968 and she in 1951 and 1961. Both were active in their community and at UW-Superior.

Ed taught special education at Superior Senior High until his retirement in 1988, where he was instrumental in developing a new program and approach to teaching children with special needs. He was actively involved in several organizations and activities that assisted special needs students, as well as the Superior Vocations Center, where he served as a board member and president. Beyond his professional memberships he belonged to the UCT, the Phi Delta Kappan, the Moose and the Elks #403, where he was one of the longest serving members. He was also very active in the UWS Alumni Association having served in a number of leadership roles, including president. He was the recipient of two president’s awards for outstanding service.

Betty taught in Superior for 39 years, and 37 of those years were at Cooper School in Billings Park. Betty was also an organ/piano accompanist at many wedding and funerals in the area for more than 20 years. She was a charter member, board member and past president of the UWS Alumni Association, and received the president’s award in 1967. She was a member of the UWS Foundation Founders Club and also belonged to the Moose Club, The Elks 403, Clef and White Shrine among other organizations in the community. Ed and Betty were presented with the first Edward and Betty Kossak Service Award by the Alumni Association in 2008. Betty passed away in 2011.

Scholarship criteria: For students enrolled full-time at UW-Superior who wish to pursue a career in working with persons with disabilities. The recipient must have a major in elementary education with a minor in adaptive education/special education along with pursuing a degree program and/or certificate to work with persons with disabilities. The recipient must be entering their undergraduate junior or senior year at UW-Superior, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and show some level of financial need. The recipient must also include a paragraph in the scholarship application outlining their personal commitment to and involvement with persons with disabilities.