Campus Connection

Alumni Association’s 50^th a success

The UWL Alumni Association’s prelude to its second half-century kicked off with great success thanks to those who made such an impact in the organization’s first 50 years. The Association’s past presidents set a $250,000 fundraising goal to help secure the organization’s future. During the Big Birthday Bash Brunch Oct. 26, Alumni Association Executive Director Janie Morgan, ’85 & ’86, unveiled the campaign’s total: $279,780. [caption id="attachment_9393" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Past presidents of the UWL Alumni Association headed up a fundraising campaign during the Big Birthday Bash. The $279,780 raised — well above the $250,000 goal —allows the Association to offer additional scholarships, enhanced opportunities for relationship building between students and alumni, and increased programming to keep alumni connected to UWL and each other.[/caption] “I was ecstatic about surpassing our goal by almost $30,000,” says Morgan. “With these gracious gifts we assure the Association will remain strong well into the future.” The campaign allows the Association to offer additional scholarships, enhanced opportunities for relationship building between students and alumni, along with increased programming to keep alumni connected to UWL and each other. [caption id="attachment_9414" align="alignnone" width="594"] The Big Birthday Bash Brunch Oct.26, featuring Mr. D’s doughnuts and full breakfast, was the highlight of the Alumni Association’s 50th anniversary. Association Executive Director Janie Morgan, ’85 & ’86, says the celebration propels the organization to remain strong. “Watching alumni reconnect with each other at events and hearing their stories of days gone by reminds me of why we exist and how important it is that the Alumni Association remains strong,” says Morgan.[/caption] The brunch, attended by more than 125 alumni and friends, culminated a number of activities held in honor of the Association’s first 50 years. Another popular event included a good ol’ college-days pub crawl downtown. Participants visited a number of old hangouts, including Big Al’s, John’s Bar, The Helm and The Bodega. [caption id="attachment_9412" align="alignnone" width="594"] More than 80 alumni and friends headed downtown for the Big Birthday Bash’s “Happy Birthday Hour Pub Crawl” Friday, Oct. 25. Along with Big Al’s, the stops included John’s Bar, The Helm and The Bodega.[/caption] Other events included hundreds of alumni from across the country joining the “Maroon Wave,” wearing UWL gear and sharing it on social media with the tag #UWLProud. Alumni artists shared their work in a University Art Gallery exhibition, six were inducted into the UWL Wall of Fame and many took part in community service projects. The Alumni Association continues to plan events throughout the year. Find out what’s going on at: https://www.uwlax.edu/alumni/