Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation held a dinner on July 8 to recognize contributors who have supported UWP's continuing efforts to prepare for the future by building on its strong foundations. Approximately 175 alumni, board members, faculty, staff and community members attended the event.

The theme of "Building on Tradition" was articulated by UWP Chancellor David Markee in his remarks during dinner. According to Markee, the UWP "on-campus" student body is very similar to that of the student body ten years ago: high numbers of students from non-urban areas; a high percentage of entering students who attended high schools with graduating classes of fewer than 100 students; high numbers of students who are the first in their respective families to attend college; a fifth of students from the immediate five county area; and almost 90 percent of students are from Wisconsin.

Markee characterized the past decade as one of growth and change. He noted that UWP has seen a 27% increase in undergraduate and graduate enrollment as well as many additions to UWP's academic programs - on the Platteville campus, in distance learning, and in international studies. He also explained that there have been over $70 million in major construction projects on the UWP campus in the past decade.

Markee, who recently completed his 10th year as chancellor at UWP, said the "M" on the mound outside of town, designed and built by the UWP Mining School in 1937, reminds him of the strong traditions of the past and possibilities of the future.

"For me, it is a constant reminder that there is more to do - more students to serve, more academic programs to develop, more faculty and staff to hire and nurture and more facilities to renovate and build. For me, the 'M' represents our future as well as our past. The 'M' is a symbol of the traditions that have guided us through our 140-year history. Those traditions are our guideposts as we move forward," said Markee.

Dennis Cooley, director of the UWP Foundation and University Relations, summarized how private gifts have contributed to UWP's growth over the past decade and will continue to support its growth in enrollment, programs and infrastructure through the next decade.

As an example, Cooley explained that 20 new initiatives have been or will be funded through the Platteville 1866 Fund, named for the year of UWP's founding, established in spring 2005 and introduced to alumni and friends of the university during its annual phonathon last year. Cooley also highlighted an additional 40 Foundation funds which were developed in 2005-06 with alumni and other support, bringing the total number of funds to 473.

Cooley continued his presentation with a comprehensive look at current fundraising initiatives, such as the "M" Steps Project, Community Scholarship Programs, Pioneer Circle Key Club, and the 1866 Fund, all of which will support a number of scholarship, academic, building and renovation projects in the coming decade. In his closing remarks, Cooley called upon UWP supporters to continue building on the accomplishments of the past 140 years.

"With an eye to the past, we will now focus squarely on turning the challenges that face this institution into the new opportunities for innovation and positive change. Today, we are living and working in the spirit of those who walked before us with the goal of providing a place where future generations can open their minds to new possibilities," Cooley finished.

Cooley invited Jeff Kronser, UWP alumnus and UWP Foundation Board member, to finish the evening's presentation by discussing the role alumni have played and will continue to play in UWP's future development. Kronser is vice president of Strand Associates, an engineering firm headquartered in Madison, which has its roots in the UWP engineering program and remains actively involved with the school.

"We've recognized a need to support future generations of graduates - not just engineering students, but people with business and people skills as well. We benefit from being able to employ graduates in many fields and we've felt a need to thank the university for that. That's why our firm has been so involved in supporting UWP's ongoing efforts to provide quality educational opportunities for students. It's a way for us to give back," he said.

The UWP Foundation Donor Recognition Dinner is held annually and is designed to highlight the ongoing work of Foundation supporters and contributors. Anyone interested in learning more about UWP's academic or building initiatives and the work of the UWP Foundation may contact Cooley at (608) 342-1182 or cooleyde@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Dennis Cooley, director, UWP Foundation and University Relations, (608) 342-1182, cooleyde@uwplatt.edu

Prepared By: Evelyn Martens, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, martense@uwplatt.edu