The Rath Foundation - An Enduring Legacy at UW-Madison

I would not be here without the Rath scholarship which has given me immeasurable freedom to explore post-graduation options without student debt weighing heavily on me. This allows me to explore public service positions that would otherwise not be feasible for me. I am very thankful for the important relationships I've been able to forge with peers and faculty that I am confident that I will keep for the rest of my life. Having a full-ride scholarship allows me to support my friends that are tight on money in small ways. Whether it is buying a textbook in the beginning of the school year knowing they won’t be able to reimburse me until a faroff future time, or just paying for coffee when someone needs a break and a listening ear, I can do small things to keep my classmates and I going when things get tough. I also know that graduating without debt will allow me to make larger yearly contributions to organizations like the MKE Freedom Fund and Black and Pink: Milwaukee. Incredible students and professionals are born and raised in Wisconsin, but many of my peers have been drawn out of state for post-undergraduate studies and do not return after graduating. Rath scholarships allow students from Wisconsin to remain in the place they were raised, and going to school at UW–Madison has already helped me find jobs in-state that will allow me to remain in Wisconsin while doing the work I love. Being debt-free allows me to bring my whole self to class and focus on learning, not on checking certain boxes that I think will best help me pay off my loans after graduating. This has made my learning experience more enjoyable and engaging, allowing me to pursue my true interests and take care of my health in ways that have improved my academic performance. Thank you for making law school possible for me and removing obstacles to putting my law degree to use at a community-level and in positions that would be impossible with a mountain of student debt. This gift has changed the course of my life, and I hope to be able to impact the lives of others in similarly beneficial ways.

Hannah Koller JDx'25 Appleton, Wisconsin

“This gift has changed the course of my life, and I hope to be able to

impact the lives of others in similarly beneficial ways.”

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN LAW SCHOOL