U of W, Madison Character & Courage Award scholarships announced for 2022

We are so excited to officially announce the recipients of the 2022 U of Wisconsin, Madison Thomas A. Costello Character & Courage Award! We had numerous excellent candidates that applied, and we ultimately decided on our top four applicants that showed traits and characteristics emulating what Tommy stood for. Each recipient received a $2,400 scholarship (this amount represents the age that Tommy was when he passed away). We asked each winner to give us a quick summary of what it means to them to receive this award.

The recipients are as follows:

Charles Forbes

Jacob Shefchik

Meerah Thompson

Maxim Zagrebelny

Charles Forbes

“To me, Thomas represented the best of being a Wisconsin Badger- excelling as a professional and continuously giving back to the Wisconsin community. As a member of the Wisconsin finance community and an intern at Rothschild & Co, I strive to be like Thomas every day. As a recipient of this award, I hope to continue his legacy as a Badger in finance".

Jacob Shefchik

“Reception of this award is nothing short of the highest honor given the stories I have heard regarding the life of Thomas Costello. To know that those close to him believe I embody similar traits to those he demonstrated is an incredible feeling. I hope to continue to exemplify qualities that Thomas would endorse and further carry on his legacy as I begin my career in investment banking and wrap up my time at the Wisconsin School of Business”.

Meerah Thompson

"To me, receiving this award means carrying out Thomas’ legacy in every capacity I can and encouraging others to do the same. Thomas’ compassion, gratitude, and mentorship brought out the best in others and elevated those around him. I am thankful that, because of Thomas, I will be at Rothschild & Co after graduation representing the Badger community and paying it forward, just as Thomas did".

Maxim Zagrebelny

"I am beyond grateful and thankful to receive the Thomas A Costello, Character & Courage Award. This award will not only help me achieve my dream of becoming an investment banker but also further extend my career to eventually give back and help others in similar situations. I hope to continue to emulate and spread Tommy's resilient and courageous spirit while overcoming any adversity in my life."