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Welcome > Your impact

Donors to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse make an impact in the lives of students and the faculty and staff who support them. Gifts from alumni and friends work together to increase opportunities for students and support their success.

 

View another face of philanthropy:

Matthew Thompson '16

Matthew Thompson '16

B.S. Accountancy, Math minor | La Crosse, WI | Senior Accountant, Wipfli LLP
  • The classes I took as an undergrad gave me great footing to confidently enter the business world. The instructors were invaluable in providing the tools. I give back for future Eagles in hopes that they can get the same resources that I was privileged to receive.
  • Too many! Some of my fondest include participating in Intramural sports and shooting hoops at the rec center with friends and other students I met.
  • Don't take your time at UWL for granted! Get out of your comfort zone and try something new! You may find a new passion and stumble into memories you too will cherish forever.
Bob & Janet Roth

Bob & Janet Roth

Bob: Industrial Engineering, Janet: Community Medical Dietetics | La Crosse, WI * Bob: Trane Commercial Systems, Janet: Dietetic Consultant

  • We give to support and develop the next generation of band and orchestra teachers.

  • We have been members of the UWL Orchestra since 1983. Our favorite memory was playing at Carnegie Hall with the orchestra on tour. 
  • Do something now! Even a small gift means a lot. 
Drew Kluge '12

Drew Kluge '12

B.S. Clinical Lab Science | Rochester, MN * Research Scientist

  • I believe it is good to give back to a place that created many warm memories.

  • Being part of my dorm's Halloween building mazing.
  • Never be afraid to talk to a fellow alumni, one never knows what interesting story you will get of the past or how they can help in the future.
Deb '87 & Joe '87, '89 Mirasola

Deb '87 & Joe '87, '89 Mirasola

Deb: B.S. Mass Comm & Psychology, Joe: B.S. Recreation Admin, M.S. Education * Deb: Dairyland Power Cooperative, Joe: Social Studies teacher | La Crosse, WI
  • We believe strongly in education and UWL helped us prepare for our professional careers. We chose to live in La Crosse because we were exposed to the opportunities and beauty of this community while in college. Many family members are UWL alumni or students.
  • As alumni and parents, watching our sons play on the UWL Men's Tennis team and graduate from UWL were truly memorable. Joe was on the 1985 National Football Championship team!
  • UWL has many ways to get involved and make lifelong friends including athletics/intramurals, clubs, student government and internships. Take the opportunity to meet people in the community and explore the natural beauty of La Crosse!
Donney KM Moroney '97

Donney KM Moroney '97

B.S. Public Administration | Milwaukee, WI * Student Affairs – Higher Education; Vice President of Student Affairs
  • My time as a student at UWL were the most transformative years of my life. I chose to give so that students can afford to pursue their academic goals with a little less financial burden weighing them (and their families) down.

  • The mentorship, care and guidance I received from the staff in Student Life and Multicultural Student Services - their programming complimented my classes and prepared me for life after college.

  • Cherish the time you have at UWL! Remember to give back when you are in a place to do so, because there are so many of us who thrived at UWL because of the generous spirit of those before us.

John '82 and Laurie Andreoni * Diekhoff '83

John '82 and Laurie Andreoni * Diekhoff '83

John: B.S. Computer Science, Laurie: B.S. Psychology | Bloomington, IL * John: State Farm (IT), retired; Laurie: Illinois Wesleyan (Career Center), retired

  •  Our time at UWL helped us to find our passions -- and each other! UWL gave us the knowledge, experience, foundation and confidence to be successful. We give to say thank you - and to help support both current students, and the university’s great work. 

  • Being RA’s in Laux Hall, warm Mr. D’s donuts, the view from Grandad’s Bluff, taco pizza at Big Al’s - good times with great friends.
  •  Everyone at the university wants you to succeed – reach out and ask for help! Stretch yourself and take advantage of the amazing opportunities that UWL provides – get involved through leadership programs, undergraduate research, study abroad experiences, and internships!
Cecilia G. Manrique

Cecilia G. Manrique

PH.D. Political Science from University of Notre Dame| Winona, MN * Emerita UWL faculty, Political Science/Public Administration Department
  • My husband and I endowed a scholarship that would benefit members of the Golden Key International Honour Society chapter at UWL and students from the Political Science/Public Administration department.  These are students closest to our hearts and we hope they benefit from such funding.   
  • There are many great memories at UWL.  From being in the classroom with brilliant students to serving as advisor to Golden Key and going to conferences with our officers.
  • As an alumna at Notre Dame we visit the campus often. We have contributed to scholarships there.  That attachment to one's alma mater is enduring.  I advise our UWL alumni to do the same - give your time, talent and treasure to your alma mater after the four years of being on campus.

Deserving students

Each year, through the generosity of alumni and friends, the UWL Foundation provides over $1.2 million in student scholarships. See how gifts have given responsibility, encouragement and opportunities for UWL students to grow and achieve their dreams.

Student stories

Michele Thorman, retired director of UWL’s Physical Therapy program, started the Thorman Family Pay It Forward Scholarship supporting PT students who have overcome adversity. Thorman also served on the UWL Foundation Board of Directors for nine years and chaired its scholarship. PT shot in the arm Posted 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020 Leaving a Legacy: Family scholarship supports students overcoming adversity Read more about PT shot in the arm Read more → Scholarships awarded Posted 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2020 UWL Foundation allocates more than $1.2 million. Read more about Scholarships awarded Mattie Mae Krause, a biomedical major on the pre-med track, has received the inaugural scholarship from the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership. Krause was named Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest in 2016 and has been active in numerous campus and community organizations. Read more → A scholar leader Posted 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2020 Student earns scholarship from Thompson Center on Public Leadership. Read more about A scholar leader The Applied HRM Service Learning Externship Team with its advisor. The team continues HR management outreach to non-profit organizations this semester. From left: Alexa Thurmes; Advisor Christa Kiersch; Ashley Smits; Kaitlyn Robbeloth; Jenna Lee and Morgan Brzank. The team earned an undergraduate research grant to continue their work during the spring 2020 semester. Read more → Connecting research to practice Posted 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, 2019 Students work on solutions to regional, non-profit human resources management challenges. Read more about Connecting research to practice Ethan Lucas, who plans to major in geography with a concentration in Geographic Information Systems, shares his personal and academic interests is in his scholarship applications, including his love of upper-level geography courses and his excitement about the potential of a GIS career path that will provide opportunities in diverse fields. Read more → UWL celebrates Maroon Tycoons Posted 3:53 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019 Group of 53 students earned $10,000 or more during the past year in scholarships. Read more about UWL celebrates Maroon Tycoons Carlos Galvez, Club Rotario Guatemala del Este member, and founder of La Chapina Bonita Stove Project stands with UWL student Kitt Drewiske. Read more → Opening hearts, improving homes Posted 3:54 p.m. Monday, May 6, 2019 Senior leads spring break service trip to Guatemala, receives $2,000 from Rada Award recipient. Read more about Opening hearts, improving homes Read more → Top students Posted 4 p.m. Friday, April 19, 2019 Top seniors named; more than $1 million being awarded in scholarships. Read more about Top students Read more → Macbeth Posted 3:56 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20, 2018 UWL's actor-collaborated production offers a new take. Read more about Macbeth From left, Michael Szeszol, double major in psychology and English; and Joshua Barbara, biology major with minors in chemistry and psychology, both aim to continue research in graduate school. They prepare for that by conducting undergraduate research. Their project is related to a rare condition that affects how people perceive the world. Read more → Sensory experiment Posted 3:57 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, 2017 Undergraduate researchers develop test for rare condition where colors overlap with text, numbers. Read more about Sensory experiment UWL senior Rebekah Bain, who also works in Special Collections in UWL’s Murphy Library, developed a love for history at an early age. Now she is sharing that with those who ride La Crosse MTU. “I love history because everything that is happening today reflects what happened in the past,” she says. “I like learning about history and applying it to today.” Read more → ‘History on the Go’ Posted 3:59 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017 UWL senior brings La Crosse history trivia to city bus riders. Read more about ‘History on the Go’
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Generous donors

Every gift, whether large or small, has an impact on UWL. The power of donors' gifts make it possible to award over 900 students scholarships each spring, support undergraduate research, study abroad opportunities, and other unique campus programs that distinguish UWL. Read, hear and see below why donors have chosen to give and what they gained with their UWL experience.

Donor stories

Second cousins Lauren Gruber, ’17 (left), and McKenna Gruber, ’16 (right), have created a scholarship to honor their late grandfathers. The Nodz and Peewee Gruber Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a UWL sophomore, junior or senior planning to pursue a career in healthcare. Grateful for their grandfathers Posted 10:06 a.m. Wednesday, July 21, 2021 Alums honor grandfathers with new healthcare scholarship Read more about Grateful for their grandfathers From noon on Dec. 1 until noon on Dec. 2, 1,407 donors united to raise $228,348 to transform lives at UWL, supporting funds for more than 50 causes — including scholarships, research, academic programming, athletics and more. Surpassing the goal Posted 12:38 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 Inaugural Giving Day raises more than $228,000 Read more about Surpassing the goal Bob and Janet Roth, longtime supporters of UW-La Crosse, have agreed to match up to $5,000 in donations to the Music Department on UWL's inaugural Giving Day. Leading the way on Giving Day Posted 12:52 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 Donors share reasons behind supporting UWL Read more about Leading the way on Giving Day Rollo Taylor, '56, was a longtime physical education professor and assistant men's basketball coach at UWL. To honor his memory, Taylor's family created the Rollo Taylor Endowment Fund for Men's Basketball — one of many funds and causes people can support during UWL's inaugural Giving Day Tuesday, Dec. 1. Honoring a beloved teacher, coach Posted 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 UWL Giving Day offers many ways to give back Read more about Honoring a beloved teacher, coach Michele Thorman, retired director of UWL’s Physical Therapy program, started the Thorman Family Pay It Forward Scholarship supporting PT students who have overcome adversity. Thorman also served on the UWL Foundation Board of Directors for nine years and chaired its scholarship. PT shot in the arm Posted 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020 Leaving a Legacy: Family scholarship supports students overcoming adversity Read more about PT shot in the arm UWL alums Jerrilyn (Jerri) and Bruce Brewer are retired educators from Western Technical College and the Bangor School District, respectively. Their gift to the UWL Foundation supports their value of education. Bruce earned a Bachelor of Science in 1978 and a Master of Education in Professional Development in 1990. Jerrilyn earned a Bachelor of Education in 1970 and a Master of Science in Reading in 1986 and a Doctorate in Education in 1995. Read more → Apprentice awarded Posted 3:08 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, 2020 Leaving a Legacy: Gift supports student dreams, recruitment of top students Read more about Apprentice awarded Mary Hamman, an associate professor in the UW-La Crosse Economics Department, has been named the first UWL College of Business Administration Swenson Baier Engaged Faculty Fellow. The fellowship, funded by 1985 CBA graduate Scott Swenson and his spouse, Cynthia Baier, is UWL’s first philanthropically-funded faculty fellowship supporting the vision and recognition of business faculty who are industry-engaged. Read more → Faculty fellow Posted 4:08 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2020 College of Business Administration names Hamman first campus fellow. Read more about Faculty fellow Read more → UWL Cares Posted 4 p.m. Monday, June 29, 2020 Alumni, faculty, staff and community support students through campaign. Read more about UWL Cares Read more → Scholarships awarded Posted 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2020 UWL Foundation allocates more than $1.2 million. Read more about Scholarships awarded Mark Moralez, political science and public administration major, aims to pursue graduate school in public affairs with the goal of becoming a professor or administrator in higher education. Read more → A shared experience Posted 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 Donor, recipient share similar path into leadership in advocating for social justice in higher education. Read more about A shared experience
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Every gift to UWL
no matter how large or small
is important.

Many small gifts, when combined, can provide a scholarship, support a program, or fund an undergraduate research experience.

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Make a gift today

Leaving their legacy

There are many ways to create a scholarship fund to help future generations of UWL students. Read more about how UWL alumni and friends are leaving their legacy by clicking the links below.

  • https://issuu.com/uw-lacrosse/docs/uwl_lantern_summer_2018-web
  • https://issuu.com/uw-lacrosse/docs/uwl_lantern_winter_2017-18-web
  • https://issuu.com/uw-lacrosse/docs/uwl_lantern_summer_2017-web
  • https://issuu.com/uw-lacrosse/docs/uwl_lantern_winter_2016-17_web
  • https://issuu.com/uw-lacrosse/docs/lantern_winter_2015-16-web
  • https://issuu.com/uw-lacrosse/docs/lantern_summer_2015_web