Chostner Scholarship recipient earns respect
while juggling full schedule
Pueblo -- Setting goals and staying focused has helped USC senior
Patricia Freeman Schreiber earn many rewards, including scholarships and a
promising future. For the second consecutive year, she has been awarded the
Juliaetta Chostner Memorial Scholarship offered through the department of
mathematics. The scholarship was established to honor long-time math department
secretary and USC ambassador Juliaetta Chostner and is awarded to one student
annually, who must be a math major and Colorado resident.
She exceeds the high standards that Juliaetta Chostner would have expected as an
employee in the math department. Besides being a full-time student, Schreiber is
a wife and mother of two children. In addition to her school and family
responsibilities, Schreiber directs two study groups and tutors in the Math
Learning Center and interns at the Transportation Technology Center. Despite her
busy schedule, Schreiber still finds time to participate in family activities,
both at her church and at her daughter's preschool. A Pueblo native, she is a
1997 graduate of Central High School.
"I like the challenge," Schreiber said, "that's why I chose math
as a major."
As the director of the study groups, Schreiber acts as a teacher; assigning
lessons related to the work that the students are facing in their college
algebra courses. She helps students of varying abilities to understand new
concepts and to find alternate ways to solve problems in their homework
assignments.
"We have very high hopes for her future," said Tammy Watkins,
coordinator of the Math Learning Center, where Schreiber is a student employee.
"Patti has goals and stays focused. She is an asset to the department and
to the Learning Center."
The work experience has benefited both the department and Schreiber's personal
development. Watkins said she has seen Patti's poise and confidence increase as
she interacts with other students.
"I am shy," Schreiber admitted, "so getting up in front of the
study groups has been particularly helpful."
Schreiber will seek a career in industry when she graduates in December of 2003.
Juliaetta married Bernard Keith Chostner in 1947 and later traveled to Omaha,
Neb., where he attended Creighton Dental School. She supported him until he
earned his degree in 1953, and they returned to Pueblo. Juliaetta became a
single parent with three children after her husband's untimely death in 1964. In
1968, she began her long career as a secretary for the math department and was
considered one of the best ambassadors for USC. Chostner began her 23-year
career at Southern Colorado State College, when the department was still being
housed off campus. Chester felt that because of their location above the
Wilcoxson Buick dealership, the department's camaraderie was overlooked.
After Chostner's sudden death in 1990, her family, along with business and
personal associates, contributed to the scholarship fund as a living tribute to
her memory and to ensure her continued contribution to USC. Eligible students
may apply for the Choster Scholarship by submitting an application before Feb.
3, 2003.
The University of Southern Colorado is a regional, comprehensive university
emphasizing professional, career-oriented and applied programs. Displaying
excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and
outreach, USC is distinguished by access, opportunity and the overall quality of
services provided to its students.
