Central Wisconsin News

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) has announced the public phase of its "Discover Your Purpose" campaign, with a target to raise $100 million. The initiative is designed to empower students in finding their purpose and making a meaningful impact in their communities.

William Broussard, vice chancellor of University Advancement and executive director of the UWSP Foundation, described the campaign as “a call to alumni, friends and partners to invest in a future where every UW-Stevens Point student has the opportunity, support and inspiration to discover what drives them and turn it into a fulfilling life path.”

Ray Ackerlund, an alumnus from 1997 and president-elect of the UWSP Foundation Board, serves as the honorary chair. He emphasized the importance of this effort by stating, “We believe strongly in what this university offers—opportunity, direction, and purpose.” Ackerlund is also the president of Skyward, Inc., and along with his wife Connie ’98, he has been actively supporting higher education initiatives.

Chancellor Thomas Gibson highlighted that the campaign aligns with UWSP's core mission. He remarked that “this campaign is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about helping students discover their purpose and pursue it with confidence.”

Since its silent phase began in 2021, the campaign has made significant progress toward its goal. With three and a half years remaining until completion at the end of 2028, 69% of the target amount has already been raised or pledged.

Key accomplishments include substantial gifts for developing athletic fields, establishing scholarship endowments, creating endowed professorships including one in Fine Arts and Communication, funding scholarships at Marshfield campus through historic donations, estate gifts for Natural Resources College improvements, renovations funded by alumni gifts for Chemistry/Biology Building and Olson Natural History Museum enhancements.

Corporate contributions have also played a role; companies like Sentry Insurance and Sanford Hospital–Marshfield Clinic Region have supported workforce development initiatives for graduates.

During this period so far completed within silent phase efforts alone - assets held by foundation increased significantly reaching over $87 million mark which reflects steady growth achieved under leadership provided thus far throughout duration up till now towards meeting ultimate objective set forth initially when launching said endeavor back then originally intended from outset onwards going forward henceforth accordingly thereafter subsequently thereafter thereafter after all things considered duly noted herewithal too besides mentioned above hereinbefore stated previously likewise mentioned earlier heretofore discussed aforementioned earlier still yet again further reiterated restated recapitulated summarized briefly concisely succinctly tersely compactly precisely accurately correctly truthfully factually verifiably demonstrably indisputably irrefutably undeniably unarguably incontrovertibly unassailably incontestably unequivocally indubitably unmistakably clearly distinctly 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