MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Marquette University College of Business Administration announced Monday, April 24th that alumnus John C. Seramur, former president and CEO of Stevens Point, Wisconsin-based First Financial Corporation, has established a $1 million endowed scholarship in his name.
A longtime supporter of his alma mater, Seramur made his initial gift in 1998 – this further investment creates only the second million-dollar endowed scholarship for the college.
For 17 years, the John C. Seramur Scholarship has been awarded to top graduates from Marquette University High School. Eligibility will expand to include top graduates from Portage County and the Stevens Point area who will study business at Marquette University.
“Scholarship aid is so vitally important to attracting and retaining the best students regardless of their financial situation,” said Dr. Mark Eppli, interim Keyes Dean of Business Administration. “We are grateful for Mr. Seramur’s years of support, and we thank him for his significant generosity.”
Seramur, who graduated from Marquette University High School in 1960, earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marquette University in 1965. He was president, CEO and chief operating officer of First Financial Corporation, a thrift holding company that merged with Associated Banc-Corp in 1997, and its subsidiary, First Financial Bank, from 1966 to 1998. Seramur has served on numerous corporate boards, including Associated Banc-Corp, Vita Food Products Inc., Northland Cranberries Inc. and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
Managed by the College of Business Administration, the John C. Seramur Scholarship endowment will generate multiple merit-based, renewable scholarships at a minimum award of $5,000 annually. Students interested in a Seramur Scholarship should contact the Office of Financial Aid.