Campus Connection

Alumni Association leaders seek to provide funding for now, future

The idea came from where many do — a social get-together. Past Alumni Association President Kelly Nowicki, ’98 & ’02, says she and others who led the organization over its first 50 years often get together to talk about UWL and the good ol’ days. They started discussing what they, as past presidents, could do to help celebrate the association’s 50th anniversary — and help secure the future of the organization. “As a group, the past presidents wanted a campaign to benefit the Alumni Association the most,” explains Nowicki. “We also wanted to make sure that if we were going to do this, we could reach the goal set.” “The Past Presidents decided that $250,000 could have a true impact on the Association, yet it is an amount that the 15 past presidents who are working on the campaign could realistically attain,” she notes. They worked with UWL Foundation staff to determine how to best reach the goal. And they are nearly there. Along with help from other alumni and past board members, the campaign topped $207,000 by August. Alumni Association Executive Director Janie Morgan, ’85 & ’86, says the campaign will allow 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. Morgan says the scholarships and nationwide get-togethers have a great impact. “It’s very rewarding to receive letters from grateful students about how the university not only impacted them, but also their family,” she explains. “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.” Morgan says gifts have come in all shapes and sizes — cash, checks, credit cards, multi-year pledges, stocks and estate gifts. “We are so grateful for each and every gift,” she says. The campaign has also garnered five estate gifts totaling more than $136,000. Three are designated for legacy scholarships; the others, for the general operating fund for the Alumni Association. Morgan says the campaign has also put the Association in a new light. “One past board member and longtime donor to the UWL Foundation said she and her husband had never thought about designating part of their estate to the Alumni Association,” she notes. “It was a perfect time because they were rewriting their will. They were excited to be a part of the 50th Birthday Bash.” Join in the 50th celebration! Get a full list of Big Birthday Bash events. Give to the 50th Birthday Campaign.

Why not consider an Alumni Association Membership? Birthday Bash special saves you $150!

There’s no better time than now to become a lifetime member of the UWL Alumni Association! Thanks to Carolyn (Fleckenstein) Scott, ’85, and our 50th Birthday Bash offer, you can receive $150 off a lifetime membership through October 2019. Join as a life member and save money over time. A single life membership is $300 (normally $450) and a partner membership is $450 (normally $600). Annual membership is $40. Discover all the benefits of membership and more. “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.” - Executive Director Janie Morgan, ’85 & ’86