Foundation News

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation held its annual Donor Recognition Dinner on June 21 to honor those who have played a major role in funding the various scholarships, capital projects, development funds and other initiatives at UWP. Those present at the dinner were just a few of the more than 10,000 current donors who support UWP. The evening began with a social and later featured musical entertainment by two members of the Heartland Festival cast, who gave the attendees a sample of the shows featured in this summer's festival. Individuals were also invited to attend a showing of one of the festival's musicals, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," that took place later that evening. William Dennis, UWP faculty emeritus, closed the evening by leading the room in singing "Alma Mater."

Dennis Cooley, assistant chancellor for University Advancement and executive director of the UW-Platteville Foundation, spoke to the audience as they ate. One notable accomplishment is the annual giving program topped $1 million in cash gifts received for the first time ever. This is largely due to the growth of the Community Scholarship Program for UW-Platteville. Cooley stressed how important this program is in helping students obtain the funds necessary to pay for college. CSP allows donors to fund scholarships for students from the high school of their choice. Last year, the Foundation gave out five scholarships as a trial in Verona, Monona Grove, River Ridge, Iowa-Grant and Platteville school districts. The number of scholarships grew to more than 70 this year, and the Foundation will give out more than 250 next year.

Cooley outlined the Foundation's major fundraising priorities per Chancellor Markee: the Butch Leitl field naming, new engineering building, Ottensman Hall renovation, Boebel/Karrmann Hall renovation, Engagement Center, Williams Fieldhouse Phase II and Community Scholarship Program. The funding needed for these projects totals between $38.5 and $41.5 million.

Over the next eight years, the Foundation has identified more than $100 million worth of projects that need funding, making the support of donors critical at this time. The projects include the doubling of UWP's scholarship endowments.

Cooley then elaborated on what the development officers in the Foundation are working on in order to secure this support. Liz Goodfellow, who has been charged with developing the Dubuque Scholarship Drive, has helped secure a key gift for the development of the UWP Engineering Center and wrote the grant for a $600,000 Challenge Grant from the Kresge Foundation. The Foundation has until Dec. 31 to raise the remainder of the $1.7 million needed for the new building in order to receive the $600,000, and is on a trend to do so.

Angie Gasior, the development officer for the College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science, helped secure a $250,000 donation from John Deere toward the new engineering building that will include a laboratory naming for the company.

Denee Hirsch has helped take the Community Scholarship Program to the corporate level with the M-S.T.E.P. Program, which gives the company that funds the scholarships the opportunity to mentor the students who are awarded the scholarships. Hartung Brothers Inc. and the Alliant Energy Foundation have both established M-S.T.E.P. scholarships, and some 20 other companies in the tri-state area are considering joining the program.

Holly Kaiser's projects include the Butch Leitl Field Naming, Williams Fieldhouse Phase II and Boebel Hall Renovation Phase II.

Markee then addressed the audience, relating the history and growth of the Foundation since its beginning in 1964. He also stressed the importance of scholarships to attract the most desirable students, and of funds to support faculty and building projects, and how the support of donors helps make all of these possible.

"Your generosity is what makes this institution move," said Markee.

Cooley concluded by acknowledging Brad and Peggy Biddick as the recipients of the 2008 Distinguished Service Award. Through Trelay Farm/Trelay Seed and their own personal contributions, the Biddicks have helped fund a number of different projects at UWP, and are also contributors to the CSP for Iowa-Grant High School. Brad Biddick shared a few of their thoughts on UWP and life.

For Peggy and I, UWP is community. This is what we believe, and we think that UWP does too: Risk more than is comfortable, dream big and give more than you get," said Brad Biddick.

Anyone wanting more information on the donor recognition dinner or the UWP Foundation may contact Cooley at (608) 342-1309 or cooleyde@uwplatt.edu Anyone wanting to contribute to one of UWP's various funds can do so by visiting www.uwplatt.edu and clicking on "Make a Donation" or by contacting the UWP Foundation at (608) 342-1186 or (877) 395-1100 or http://www.uwplatt.edu/foundation/

Contact: Dennis Cooley, assistant chancellor for University Advancement and executive director of the UWP Foundation, (608) 342-1309. Written by: Megan Mowry, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194.