History: Dr. Gordon Backer (along with his brother, Dr. Bill Backer), founded what is now the Eye Clinic of Wisconsin. Dr. Gordon Backer was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and practiced at the Eye Clinic until his retirement in 1995. He was instrumental in driving the geographic growth of the Eye Clinic so that it could provide the highest quality medical services to the largest number of people in the Central Wisconsin area. Dr. Backer had a reputation for fairness in dealing with doctors and employees, and he treated and formed relationships with countless numbers of patients. His legacy of selflessness and leadership lives on in the corporate culture of the Eye Clinic of Wisconsin, which named its Wausau clinic “The Backer Building”.
Criteria: Successful scholarship applicants must be graduating high school seniors with at least a 3.3 GPA from a school district in Marathon, Portage, Oneida, Langlade, Lincoln, Taylor, or Wood counties. Applicants should have volunteer experience, intend to pursue a medical-related field at a 2 or 4 year college or university full-time, and submit a one-page essay. Special preference is given to ECOW/ECLSI employees and dependents of ECOW/ECLSI employees.
Award Process: One awardee will be presented with a one-time $1,000 award. Notification is sent to the scholarship recipient and the school. The scholarship check is awarded in full when the student provides proof of acceptance to a 2- or 4-year college or university. If proof is not provided within 90 days of high school graduation, the award becomes null and void. Completed scholarship applications must be received by the Eye Clinic of Wisconsin Review Committee by February 19, 2027.

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1. Eligibility: Please check each box to confirm that you meet the stated requirements. If you can answer “Yes” to all questions, you may proceed with the application.

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2. Applicant Name: (Required.)

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3. Mailing Address (Required.)

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5. Phone Number (Required.)

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6. Current High School Attended (Required.)

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7. Expected Date of Graduation (Required.)

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8. Current GPA (Required.)

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9. College/University Planning to Attend: (Required.)

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10. Have you been accepted? (Required.)

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11. What degree are you pursuing? (Nursing, Optometry, Physical Therapy, etc.) (Required.)

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12. Are you an Eye Clinic of Wisconsin employee or dependent of an Eye Clinic employee? If yes, please explain. (Required.)

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13. Please upload a one-page narrative explaining what makes you the best candidate for this scholarship. (Required.)

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14. Please upload a document with any Volunteer experience (Organization/Activity, Description of Activity, Dates).

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15. Please upload a document with any Extracurricular activities.

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16. Personal References (at least 2). Reference letters not required. (Required.)

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17. Applicant Signature (typing your name will represent your signature) (Required.)

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