Founder & History

History of the Fund

In 1947 C.W. Brown, our founder, gathered a group of community leaders for the purpose of developing a way to aid area students who were interested in continuing their education beyond the high school level. Today, the Oconomowoc Scholarship Fund is run by a board of community members passionate about education and opportunity for Oconomowoc area students.

Funding for scholarships relies on general public contributions and seeks support via fund raising activities and in general solicitations from the community. A significant portion of the funds comes from the Hilbert Scherffius Fund, administered by the Oconomowoc Area Foundation (Greater Milwaukee Foundation) to which we apply.

About our Founder – Mr. C.W. Brown

The Oconomowoc Scholarship Fund was founded in 1947 by C. W. Brown, owner of C. W. Brown Printing Company and Publisher/Editor of the Oconomowoc Enterprise. Brown’s tie to the newspaper business reaches back to his childhood job in Fargo, ND as a newspaper delivery boy in the early 1900’s.

At the early age of 16, Brown was made circulation manager of the Fargo Forum. Brown’s love for print media brought him to Wisconsin in 1936 and to the opportunity with the Oconomowoc Enterprise. His family quickly became involved in the printing business with his two sons, Bruce and Bart, serving integral roles in the paper’s daily operations and technology advancements throughout the years.

The family continues in the tradition of supporting the Oconomowoc Scholarship Fund and many other community organizations to date.