Association News
Distinguished Alumni Awards
WAA is on the prowl for nominees for its highest honors: the Distinguished Alumni Award, for achievement in professional and volunteer service, and the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, which recognizes successful alumni under the age of forty. Past recipients include former U.S. Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger '52, MS'57, actor André DeShields '70, and Shirley Abrahamson JD'62, chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. For nomination guidelines, visit uwalumni.com/daa. Send nominations by October 15, 2003, to the Wisconsin Alumni Association, Attention: Nominations, 650 N. Lake St., Madison, WI 53706-1476.
With Honors
In July, Edward Hashek '70 and Sandra Holtzman JD'94 received the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Alumni Council (GLBTAC) 2003 Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Hashek, a computer science graduate, now works with Metavante, a leading provider of technical products for the financial services industry. While he was establishing a successful business career during the last two decades, he also helped to found the Milwaukee Challenging Party, a successful fund raiser for his city's GLBT organizations. Further, as co-chair of the Milwaukee GLBT Funding Initiative, he helped that organization raise $200,000 for GLBT causes. He has also served as a president, committee chair, and board member of the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin; as a member of the board of trustees of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater; as a trustee for the Milwaukee Art Museum; and as co-chair of the Bradley Sculpture Garden Party, the Food and Wine Festival, and the Lakefront Festival of the Arts.
Hashek, a computer science graduate, now works with Metavante, a leading provider of technical products for the financial services industry. While he was establishing a successful business career during the last two decades, he also helped to found the Milwaukee Challenging Party, a successful fund raiser for his city's GLBT organizations. Further, as co-chair of the Milwaukee GLBT Funding Initiative, he helped that organization raise $200,000 for GLBT causes. He has also served as a president, committee chair, and board member of the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin; as a member of the board of trustees of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater; as a trustee for the Milwaukee Art Museum; and as co-chair of the Bradley Sculpture Garden Party, the Food and Wine Festival, and the Lakefront Festival of the Arts.
As passionate as Hashek is for his city, Sandra Holtzman is equally vocal within her profession. As a law student at UW-Madison and then as an attorney specializing in family law, she waged — at her own expense — a costly, four-year battle to change Wisconsin child custody laws. Holtzman took her challenge to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, where the Holtzman Test was established to evaluate nonbiological parent-child relationships. The decision now allows gay partners in dissolving families to continue parenting relationships when in the best interests of the child. Holtzman's commitment to her own son had far-reaching benefits for all children in maintaining ties to gay and other nonbiological parents.
The first of its kind in the Big Ten, UW-Madison's GLBTAC works with WAA to promote the best interests of the university and provides a communication forum between the UW and its gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender alumni. Since 1992 it has been honoring UW-Madison graduates who have made significant contributions to their communities or their professions.
— Staff
The first of its kind in the Big Ten, UW-Madison's GLBTAC works with WAA to promote the best interests of the university and provides a communication forum between the UW and its gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender alumni. Since 1992 it has been honoring UW-Madison graduates who have made significant contributions to their communities or their professions.
— Staff
Thanks (Half a) Million
For the first time ever, WAA alumni chapters, diversity and affiliate groups, and donors — with the help of the UW Foundation — have raised more than half a million dollars to fund student scholarships.
A total of $579,000 was awarded to some 350 students for the 2002–03 academic year.
WAA's Scholarship dollars are made possible through fundraising events sponsored by the alumni chapters and groups, the UW Foundation's Matching Dollar Scholarship Program, and donors who provide student recognition awards.
According to Paula Bonner MS'78, WAA's president and CEO, the recent increase in tuition costs has made scholarships a top priority for the association.
“Directing proceeds from our activities and events to scholarships adds tremendous value to our programs,” she says. “Helping students attend the UW is one of the greatest ways alumni can give back.”
Not only are WAA and its chapters finding money for scholarships, but so is WAA's endowment fund. “Two of the largest gifts pledged to date have been made by families that have given their gifts in the area of endowing scholarships,” Bonner reports. “This issue is resonating with alumni who want to leave a legacy for other students.”
— Candice Gaukel Andrews '77
A total of $579,000 was awarded to some 350 students for the 2002–03 academic year.
WAA's Scholarship dollars are made possible through fundraising events sponsored by the alumni chapters and groups, the UW Foundation's Matching Dollar Scholarship Program, and donors who provide student recognition awards.
According to Paula Bonner MS'78, WAA's president and CEO, the recent increase in tuition costs has made scholarships a top priority for the association.
“Directing proceeds from our activities and events to scholarships adds tremendous value to our programs,” she says. “Helping students attend the UW is one of the greatest ways alumni can give back.”
Not only are WAA and its chapters finding money for scholarships, but so is WAA's endowment fund. “Two of the largest gifts pledged to date have been made by families that have given their gifts in the area of endowing scholarships,” Bonner reports. “This issue is resonating with alumni who want to leave a legacy for other students.”
— Candice Gaukel Andrews '77
On Board
The Wisconsin Alumni Association board of directors named a new chair last April. This year, the top seat will be occupied by Chuck McDowell '77, director of the Division of Human Resources for Milwaukee County and a decade-long member of WAA's board.
McDowell recently returned to Milwaukee, his hometown, after thirty-two years of living in Madison. “Besides being Wisconsin's largest city, Milwaukee is also home to almost 26,000 Badgers, second only to Madison in terms of alumni population,” says McDowell. “As board chair, I plan to help WAA strengthen its ties to UW graduates in Milwaukee.”
An active volunteer for UW-Madison, McDowell is dedicated to achieving greater diversity on campus. He served on the university's Plan 2008 Advisory Council, a group of students, staff, and community members working to improve the campus climate for students of color. He was also active with WAA's Diversity and Inclusivity Council, and his spouse, Candace '73, is director of UW-Madison's Multicultural Student Center.
“One of the alumni association's priorities is to play a significant role in helping to create a more welcoming and supportive atmosphere on campus for all students and alumni,” says WAA President and CEO Paula Bonner MS'78. “Chuck's leadership over the years and now as chair of the board will be a great asset as we move forward with diversity initiatives.”
McDowell recently returned to Milwaukee, his hometown, after thirty-two years of living in Madison. “Besides being Wisconsin's largest city, Milwaukee is also home to almost 26,000 Badgers, second only to Madison in terms of alumni population,” says McDowell. “As board chair, I plan to help WAA strengthen its ties to UW graduates in Milwaukee.”
An active volunteer for UW-Madison, McDowell is dedicated to achieving greater diversity on campus. He served on the university's Plan 2008 Advisory Council, a group of students, staff, and community members working to improve the campus climate for students of color. He was also active with WAA's Diversity and Inclusivity Council, and his spouse, Candace '73, is director of UW-Madison's Multicultural Student Center.
“One of the alumni association's priorities is to play a significant role in helping to create a more welcoming and supportive atmosphere on campus for all students and alumni,” says WAA President and CEO Paula Bonner MS'78. “Chuck's leadership over the years and now as chair of the board will be a great asset as we move forward with diversity initiatives.”
The WAA board also welcomed seven new members for 2003–04: Donna Beestman MA'68, vice president of Right Management Consultants in Madison; Sharon Chamberlain '65, president of Chamberlain Research Consultants, a market research company in Madison; Peter Christianson '71, JD'77, partner in the law firm Quarles and Brady in Milwaukee; Kun Young Chung MBA'85, PhD'88, a visiting scholar in the UW-Madison School of Business; Dave Florin '92, president of the Hiebing Group, a marketing communications firm in Madison; Camille Haney '69, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.; and ex officio board member San Orr, Jr. '63, JD'66, chair of the UW Foundation board and chair of Wausau-Mosinee Paper Corporation in Mosinee, Wisconsin.
— Erin Hueffner '00
— Erin Hueffner '00
Big Changes in Store
WAA is renovating its online Alumni Store — and the new fall line-up of UW apparel and gifts will kick off in time for football season. Now shoppers can find everything they need to show their Badger pride on game day or any day, from Bucky polo shirts to alumni gifts. Plus, apparel can be customized with embroidered UW logos, and WAA members will receive a special discount on purchases. Shop the new Alumni Store soon at uwalumni.com/marketplace for great UW merchandise.
— Erin Hueffner '00
— Erin Hueffner '00
New Programs & Benefits
Do you feel out of the loop on campus news? Do you want to keep your finger on the pulsing beat of student life? Then you're in luck — WAA members will now receive a special alumni edition of the Badger Herald, created by today's students for yesteryear's grads. Produced semi-annually, the alumni Herald has all your favorite features, right down to the cartoons and crosswords.
Thanks to U Review, WAA members will now have the chance to send their opinions straight to Bascom Hall. U Review is the UW's only annual survey of alumni perspectives and is offered exclusively to WAA members. This online benefit will launch in October, and Chancellor John Wiley will respond to the data in the Summer 2004 issue of the Insider Magazine, WAA's member publication.
Looking for a little relief on your student loan debt? WAA now offers the opportunity to consolidate student loans through Nelnet, one of the nation's leading educational finance organizations. Call us toll-free at (888) WIS-ALUM to learn more.
For a complete list of WAA member benefits, visit uwalumni.com/benefits.
Thanks to U Review, WAA members will now have the chance to send their opinions straight to Bascom Hall. U Review is the UW's only annual survey of alumni perspectives and is offered exclusively to WAA members. This online benefit will launch in October, and Chancellor John Wiley will respond to the data in the Summer 2004 issue of the Insider Magazine, WAA's member publication.
Looking for a little relief on your student loan debt? WAA now offers the opportunity to consolidate student loans through Nelnet, one of the nation's leading educational finance organizations. Call us toll-free at (888) WIS-ALUM to learn more.
For a complete list of WAA member benefits, visit uwalumni.com/benefits.
