Musician’s life prompts challenge support for UW-Parkside Scholarship

Published: July 29, 2024

KENOSHA, WI - When George F. Baumgardt suddenly passed away in February, a community was left reeling. Not only was his loss devastating to his wife, five children and grandchildren, but to hundreds of musicians, singers and churchgoers who played, sang or worshipped under George's musical direction.

As a tribute to his talent, Spirit of Racine Music Makers, a nonprofit community musical group which George helped to create, and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, of which George was an alumnus, worked in consultation with the Baumgardt Family to establish the George F. Baumgardt Memorial Music Scholarship to benefit budding musicians at UW-Parkside.

Now, a generous anonymous donor has given a $3,000 matching challenge gift to the scholarship fund, encouraging others in the community to contribute. For every dollar donated to the fund through Dec. 31, 2025 will be matched by the donor, up to $3,000.

The scholarship is one way to ensure that George's legacy - his love for God, music and the community - continues through the education of other aspiring musicians.

To contribute to the scholarship fund, donors may visit a scholarship web page.

Spirit of Racine Music Makers also continues to live out its mission to bring peace, love and social justice to the world through the power and beauty of music, as George would have wanted. Spirit's holiday concert will be at 2 p.m., Dec. 8 at Sacred Heart Church, 2201 Northwestern Ave., under the direction of Carol Thiel, whom George was grooming to step into the role, and where George spent nearly 40 of his 50 years of music direction. More information about Spirit of Racine Music Makers can be found on Facebook.

More information about George's life can be found here:

George Francis Baumgardt Obituary & Funeral | Racine, WI | Maresh-Meredith & Acklam (meredithfuneralhome.com)

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is committed to high-quality educational programs, creative and scholarly activities, and services responsive to its diverse student population, and its local, national, and global communities. We are a dynamic learning community grounded in academic excellence and focused on student success, diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. The campus serves as a premier comprehensive public institution and a destination of choice, serving as a focal point of local, regional, and global progress.

Media contacts:

Scott Rudie
Executive Director of Communication and Marketing
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
[email protected] | (262) 300-9549

Laura Sumner Coon
President
Spirit of Racine Music Makers
[email protected] | (262) 498-9425