Outlook Magazine - Fall 2024

UW-Stout Foundation & Alumni Association President, Linda Funk

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s the leaves start to turn and the air is a bit cooler, the UW Stout Foundation and Alumni Asso

with UW-Stout and our partnership with our alumni community. As a Stout graduate, I am so proud of the support to accomplish our mission The UW-Stout Foundation and Alumni Association, Inc. cultivates relationships between UW-Stout and its constituen cies. It supports the mission and goals of UW-Stout through the acquisition and stewardship of resources. If you are inspired to give back, please call the UW-Stout Foundation and Alumni Association Office (715-232-1151) to discuss your philanthropic wishes. Thank you for your passion and generos ity in making a difference at UW-Stout and with its students. Stout Proud,

ciation are excited about the Septem ber Scholarship Reception and October Homecoming celebration. With your support and generosity this year, the UW-Stout University Foun dation and Alumni Association’s fund raising efforts reached an unprecedented $11.8 million. At the scholarship recep tion, almost $1.4 million was given to stu dents to further their education. Together, we are nurturing a community of learners, leaders, and innovators who will make a difference in the world. Your support of our new Stout Promise Scholarship and Stout Proud Fund is crit ical. Stout Promise provides assistance to students to pursue academic goals. Stout Proud provides funds for new initiatives across campus, like an Esports Arena and undergraduate and graduate research. The Stout University Foundation has transitioned to the UW-Stout Foundation and Alumni Association to better align

Linda Funk, President UW-Stout Foundation & Alumni Association

A Gift That Keeps Giving Stout Promise Scholarship fund doubling down on helping students

lthough UW-Stout remains one of the most affordable universities in the country — one reason it was named one of the 2024 top 100 public schools in the U.S. by Money mag azine — paying for a college education represents a major obstacle for many students. One in 20 who enroll at UW-Stout don’t complete their degree because of hardship. Determined to change that, UW-Stout Foundation and Alumni Association is collaborating more closely with university Admissions and Financial Aid professionals to identify those students most in need through the Stout Promise Scholarship. One initiative being supported by the Stout Promise Scholarship is a one-time $2,000 award for first-year students who apply for but don’t receive the presti gious Stout Scholars Scholarship. The goal is to lever age the Stout Promise fund to attract more students each year and retain them. A

UW-Stout Foundation and Alumni Association and Ediz Kaykayoglu, vice chancellor for Enrollment and Strategic Initiatives, emphasize that every gift, no matter the size, can make a difference in keeping someone in school and changing their life. “Financial need can become a decision point for many students and families,” Kaykayoglu said. Stout Promise will be one of the funds highlighted during UW-Stout’s annual Giving Day in December. The number of students who can be helped each year directly correlates to the amount available in the fund. “I contribute to the Stout Promise Scholarship because I am committed to ensuring that UW-Stout can quicky meet the needs of students,” said Lou Welter (’76) , a member of the Foundation Board, who has given regularly to Stout Promise.

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University of Wisconsin-Stout