The Rath Family

The Rath Family Endowed Scholarship was established in 2011 by siblings James Rath, Thomas Rath, Mary Rath, and Hilarie Rath, all graduates of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, in honor of their parents, Hilary and Ardis Rath of Two Rivers, Wisconsin. They are grateful to their parents, the community of Two Rivers, and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh for providing them with the foundations which led to successful careers in the years that followed.

Jim Rath graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1976. As a student at UW Oshkosh, he was involved in the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, participated in intramural sports, and served on the Reeve Union Board. As an alumnus, Jim has served on both the Alumni Board of Directors and the UW Oshkosh Foundation Board of Directors.

Tom Rath received his bachelor’s degree in education in 1970. While attending UW Oshkosh, Tom was a star athlete, competing as a jumper. He achieved All-American status in the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics, along with induction into the UW Oshkosh Athletic Hall of Fame. After graduation, he began teaching in Stevens Point. He returned to UW Oshkosh and earned his master’s degree in education in 1976. Like his brother, Tom has also served on the Alumni Board of Directors.

After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1965, Mary Rath returned to Two Rivers to teach. Mary also earned a master’s degree in administrative leadership at UW-Milwaukee. She later moved to Racine, where she worked as a teacher and principal for Racine Unified School District until her retirement. After retirement, Mary continued her dedication to education, serving as a substitute principal, developing individual education plans for students, and helping to develop a pilot elementary mentoring program with the Volunteer Center of Racine County and the Center for Community Partnerships at UW-Parkside.

Hilarie Rath graduated from UW Oshkosh in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She earned a master’s degree in speech communication from Northwestern University in 1990. Hilarie teaches at Aldo Leopold Community School, where she has taught for over 25 years. She previously taught in Manitowoc County and in East Africa.