Association News
Amplifying Alumni Relations
And you thought those red polyester pants were loud!
Last month, the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) turned up the volume on its connection with UW-Madison and its alumni by unveiling its first-ever online annual report, a new Web site design, and a new logo.
The annual report, titled “Resonating Red: Amplifying Alumni Relations,” highlights interactive audio and visual displays that help bring WAA's programs and services to life for grads around the world.
“Touching alumni stories, excerpts from faculty lectures, and updates on alumni relations activities showcase the many ways Badgers truly resonate red,” says Paula Bonner MS'78, WAA's president and CEO. “Over the past year, the association has focused its efforts on reaching out to alumni in ways that are fun and familiar, whether it's through their school or college, a student organization they participated in while on campus, or activities taking place in the area where they live now.”
Last month, the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) turned up the volume on its connection with UW-Madison and its alumni by unveiling its first-ever online annual report, a new Web site design, and a new logo.
The annual report, titled “Resonating Red: Amplifying Alumni Relations,” highlights interactive audio and visual displays that help bring WAA's programs and services to life for grads around the world.
“Touching alumni stories, excerpts from faculty lectures, and updates on alumni relations activities showcase the many ways Badgers truly resonate red,” says Paula Bonner MS'78, WAA's president and CEO. “Over the past year, the association has focused its efforts on reaching out to alumni in ways that are fun and familiar, whether it's through their school or college, a student organization they participated in while on campus, or activities taking place in the area where they live now.”
The online annual report is an extension of WAA's new Web site — still found at uwalumni.com, but with a new look featuring more scenic campus photos, simplified navigation, and shorter, more Web-accessible copy.
But visitors to the site may notice that navigation and page layout aren't the only elements sporting a new look. They'll also see a new logo, which draws on the same crest used in the UW-Madison mark. “This new mark really reflects our support of, and synergy with, the university and its alumni,” says Bonner.
— Christine Lampe '92
But visitors to the site may notice that navigation and page layout aren't the only elements sporting a new look. They'll also see a new logo, which draws on the same crest used in the UW-Madison mark. “This new mark really reflects our support of, and synergy with, the university and its alumni,” says Bonner.
— Christine Lampe '92
Action Forward
At its annual fall meeting, the Badger Action Network (BAN) discussed the importance of communicating the deep impact that UW-Madison has on the state of Wisconsin. Speakers such as Chancellor John Wiley MS'65, PhD'68 and David J. Ward ‘65, MBA'67, PhD'72, president of NorthStar Economics, told the group that UW-Madison contributes $4.7 billion to the state's economy and creates more than 74,000 jobs.
The best way to assist the university, BAN leaders determined, was to emphasize this impact to legislators and voters. “In the past, we've focused a lot on legislative advocacy,” says Mike Fahey ‘00, the WAA outreach specialist who coordinates work with BAN. “In the future, we want to be more of a communication network that takes an accurate and informative message out to citizens at the local level.”
During the same meeting, BAN gave its David Ward Alumni Advocacy Award to Jack Kaiser JD'76, an Eau Claire attorney. Kaiser spoke on the UW's behalf before listening sessions for the UW System Board of Regents and the Wisconsin legislature's joint committee on finance.
— Staff
The best way to assist the university, BAN leaders determined, was to emphasize this impact to legislators and voters. “In the past, we've focused a lot on legislative advocacy,” says Mike Fahey ‘00, the WAA outreach specialist who coordinates work with BAN. “In the future, we want to be more of a communication network that takes an accurate and informative message out to citizens at the local level.”
During the same meeting, BAN gave its David Ward Alumni Advocacy Award to Jack Kaiser JD'76, an Eau Claire attorney. Kaiser spoke on the UW's behalf before listening sessions for the UW System Board of Regents and the Wisconsin legislature's joint committee on finance.
— Staff
Grand Opening
If you feel like you're seeing a sudden effusion of Badger red, don't be surprised. WAA has just remodeled its online alumni store, and the site now includes a vast apparel department.
“There's no easier way to show your Badger pride,” says Paula Bonner, WAA's president and CEO. “Each purchase helps support UW student scholarships, lifelong learning programs, and career resources, so you're getting great Wisconsin merchandise and giving back to the university at the same time.”
WAA members also receive a special discount — 10 percent off on apparel purchases from Club Colors, the store's new e-tailer. The online store opened its revised site in October and can be found at uwalumni.com/marketplace.
— Erin Hueffner '00
“There's no easier way to show your Badger pride,” says Paula Bonner, WAA's president and CEO. “Each purchase helps support UW student scholarships, lifelong learning programs, and career resources, so you're getting great Wisconsin merchandise and giving back to the university at the same time.”
WAA members also receive a special discount — 10 percent off on apparel purchases from Club Colors, the store's new e-tailer. The online store opened its revised site in October and can be found at uwalumni.com/marketplace.
— Erin Hueffner '00
Lines Open
This fall, WAA began a partnership with Arista Communications, a provider of long-distance, audio conferencing, toll-free numbers, and other business-to-business services. Formed in 2003, Arista provides contributions to universities and their sponsor organizations through the sale of telecommunications products and services.
“Arista offers another way for graduates to help WAA keep UW-Madison connected to its alumni,” says Cheryl Porior-Mayhew ‘86, WAA's vice president of marketing and communications. “The income we receive from Arista will go to fund student scholarships and alumni programming.”
Arista is one of two new partnerships WAA entered into in 2003. The other is with Nelnet, an educational finance organization. For details about WAA's partnerships, visit uwalumni.com/badgerbenefits.
— Staff
“Arista offers another way for graduates to help WAA keep UW-Madison connected to its alumni,” says Cheryl Porior-Mayhew ‘86, WAA's vice president of marketing and communications. “The income we receive from Arista will go to fund student scholarships and alumni programming.”
Arista is one of two new partnerships WAA entered into in 2003. The other is with Nelnet, an educational finance organization. For details about WAA's partnerships, visit uwalumni.com/badgerbenefits.
— Staff
A legacy of Learning and Leadership
When you graduated from UW-Madison, maintaining a lifelong link to learning may have been the last thing on your mind. But if you've attended any of the Wisconsin Alumni Lifelong Learning programs — from Navigating Career Transitions to navigating the artifacts of Scandinavian explorers at our Vikings workshop — you may suddenly find yourself longing for a reconnection to your academic roots.
Now, there's a way to make invaluable opportunities like these last a lifetime.
The Wisconsin Alumni Association Endowment was recently unveiled as part of the University of Wisconsin Foundation's Create the Future: The Wisconsin Campaign. The Wisconsin Alumni Association's (WAA) $6 million segment of this campaign is the largest endeavor ever undertaken by WAA, and offers dedicated alumni countless ways to perpetuate their own collegiate, professional, and personal achievements.
The WAA Endowment will concentrate on three strategic directions: lifelong learning, scholarships and recognition awards, and facilities. The lifelong learning area is the flagship of the endowment, aiding efforts to connect faculty, students, and alumni interested in taking part in an environment of discovery. Specific examples could include an off-campus symposium or creating a cultural learning event in a major metropolitan city.
Now, there's a way to make invaluable opportunities like these last a lifetime.
The Wisconsin Alumni Association Endowment was recently unveiled as part of the University of Wisconsin Foundation's Create the Future: The Wisconsin Campaign. The Wisconsin Alumni Association's (WAA) $6 million segment of this campaign is the largest endeavor ever undertaken by WAA, and offers dedicated alumni countless ways to perpetuate their own collegiate, professional, and personal achievements.
The WAA Endowment will concentrate on three strategic directions: lifelong learning, scholarships and recognition awards, and facilities. The lifelong learning area is the flagship of the endowment, aiding efforts to connect faculty, students, and alumni interested in taking part in an environment of discovery. Specific examples could include an off-campus symposium or creating a cultural learning event in a major metropolitan city.
The scholarships and recognition area will improve current awards and establish new honors celebrating leadership and accomplishment by UW students, faculty, and alumni. This area's lead gift, which will be used to create student scholarships, was designated by the sons of George '40 and Dorothy '40 Pellegrin from the family's charitable remainder annuity trust, managed by the UW Foundation.
And in an effort to help make the alumni association's headquarters an even more welcoming gateway back to the UW, the Martin and Florence Below Alumni Center Legacy Fund aims to create a library filled with archival and educational resources.
Chuck Claflin ‘53, Ken Becker ‘49, Ken Ciriacks ‘58, Joanne Howard ‘62, MBA'63, and other alumni leaders have already joined the Pellegrin family in establishing a $1.85 million investment toward the campaign goal. Those interested in learning more about the Wisconsin Alumni Association Endowment can visit uwalumni.com/endowment, or contact WAA President and CEO Paula Bonner at (888) WIS-ALUM (947-2586).
— Staff
And in an effort to help make the alumni association's headquarters an even more welcoming gateway back to the UW, the Martin and Florence Below Alumni Center Legacy Fund aims to create a library filled with archival and educational resources.
Chuck Claflin ‘53, Ken Becker ‘49, Ken Ciriacks ‘58, Joanne Howard ‘62, MBA'63, and other alumni leaders have already joined the Pellegrin family in establishing a $1.85 million investment toward the campaign goal. Those interested in learning more about the Wisconsin Alumni Association Endowment can visit uwalumni.com/endowment, or contact WAA President and CEO Paula Bonner at (888) WIS-ALUM (947-2586).
— Staff
Developing Diversity
Riding the airwaves across campus, WAA is working to find new ways to help UW-Madison's students of color build their links to the alumni community. In September, WAA's Alicia Jackson ‘00 joined the team of hosts for Voices of Pathways, a weekly talk show on WSUM, UW-Madison's student radio station. The program is sponsored by the College of Letters and Science's Pathways to Excellence Project, which encourages extracurricular education. Jackson works with two undergraduates and one graduate student as they discuss issues related to students of color with guests from around the university.
“Our goal is connecting students with the campus community,” says Jackson, WAA's director of diversity and U.S. chapters. “We want our listeners to hear different viewpoints and take advantage of all that Madison has to offer.”
“Our goal is connecting students with the campus community,” says Jackson, WAA's director of diversity and U.S. chapters. “We want our listeners to hear different viewpoints and take advantage of all that Madison has to offer.”
Jackson believes that Voices of Pathways, along with other local promotions, helped boost attendance at recent WAA diversity programs, including September's Career Links networking event.
Career Links, now in its fifth year, is sponsored by WAA and the College of Letters and Science/ School of Human Ecology Career Services. The event encourages student-alumni interaction and is designed to help the UW retain students of color by aiding with their career planning. Career Links brings current students together with alumni who can share their job search wisdom. This year's attendance saw a rise of more than 150 percent over 2002.
Other recent diversity initiatives include a new Web site, uwalumni.com/diversity; an ice cream social for students involved in the Summer Collegiate Experience, Engineering Summer PIPEline, and Pathways Scholars Students; and a multicultural Homecoming dance that's open to both alumni and students.
— John Allen
Career Links, now in its fifth year, is sponsored by WAA and the College of Letters and Science/ School of Human Ecology Career Services. The event encourages student-alumni interaction and is designed to help the UW retain students of color by aiding with their career planning. Career Links brings current students together with alumni who can share their job search wisdom. This year's attendance saw a rise of more than 150 percent over 2002.
Other recent diversity initiatives include a new Web site, uwalumni.com/diversity; an ice cream social for students involved in the Summer Collegiate Experience, Engineering Summer PIPEline, and Pathways Scholars Students; and a multicultural Homecoming dance that's open to both alumni and students.
— John Allen
