UW-Parkside Turns 50!

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside proudly announces its “50 Years Celebration” to honor the bold beginnings of the university and focus on the amazing future ahead. Events on campus and in the Racine and Kenosha communities will take place from July 2018 through May 2019.

“Fifty years ago, newspapers were filled with stories about a bold beginning. The University of Wisconsin-Parkside would provide students in our area with affordable access to a four-year University of Wisconsin education,” says Chancellor Debbie Ford. “Today, UW-Parkside celebrates a clear future focus of helping students from diverse populations achieve the dream of a university degree. Along the way, we have witnessed the transformative power that education brings to our community.”

More than 25,000 have graduated from UW-Parkside during the past half century, and close to 60 percent of alumni live and work in the region, contributing to our communities each day.

Throughout the 50 Years Celebration, concerts, lectures, and alumni events will take place at least once a week. Whether or not you can make it to campus, there are plenty of other ways to be engaged and involved with this special moment in history.

50 Years Gala

Friday, October 12, UW-Parkside will host alumni, sponsors, and community members for the 50 Years Gala. This signature event celebrates the university’s first 50 years and raises support for the Future Focus Fund, a new scholarship initiative that will give more students a chance to reach their education goals. The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is proud to welcome Mr. Nicholas T. Pinchuk, Chairman and CEO of Snap-on Incorporated, and Mr. Jim Popp, President and CEO of Johnson Financial Group, as Honorary Co-Chairs for the UW-Parkside 50 Years Gala.

Snap-on and Johnson Financial lead the way as the Anniversary Sponsors for this signature event. Their support will help establish the Future Focus Fund, to maintain affordability and increase access to a UW-Parkside education.

“Like UW-Parkside, Johnson Financial Group believes in investing in the growth, health and well-being of our communities and the people who live in them,” said Mr. Popp. “Thank you to UW-Parkside for developing the future leaders of our communities for the past 50 years.”

“I'm proud to lend my support to this milestone event,” Mr. Pinchuk said. “The economic, social, and educational landscape of our communities has been enriched by the mission and work of UW-Parkside. It provides students the opportunity to avail themselves of the greatest educational system in the world—the American university.”

The Future Focus Fund is led by the UW-Parkside Foundation. The fund will be established to support scholarships that can be targeted to students with the greatest financial need.

UW-Parkside Foundation President Tim Mahone said, “We are excited to have the support of Snap-on Incorporated and Johnson Financial Group as leaders in the development of the Future Focus Fund. As a lasting legacy of the 50th Anniversary, this scholarship fund will ensure more students have access to the opportunities provided by UW-Parkside for success in life and career in a diverse, global, and competitive society.”

Nicholas T. Pinchuk	Jim Popp
Snap-on Incorporated	Johnson Financial Group