PARKSIDE DAY TO BENEFIT FUTURE FOCUS FUND AND OTHER NEEDS ON APRIL 7
SOMERS, Wis.
As the University of Wisconsin-Parkside’s annual Parkside Day approaches, university leaders are focused on the impact for students and the wider community.
Parkside Day, presented by HARIBO of America, will take place on Thursday, April 7, as a 24-hour, primarily virtual online challenge that raises funds for the university and celebrates Parkside Ranger spirit. Donors choose which area of the university they would like to support, with specific projects such as Athletics and the Future Focus Fund highlighted annually.
“We welcome support to university programs or scholarships that donors are passionate about, and we’ve found that alumni and community supporters are particularly inspired by the Future Focus Fund,” says Linnéa Booher, director of donor and alumni engagement. “Future Focus has had an outsized impact for UW-Parkside students, which we love to put in the spotlight on Parkside Day.”
The Future Focus Fund is UW-Parkside Foundation’s signature fund dedicated to student need, providing an additional resource to assist students experiencing financial hardships and helping UW-Parkside students reach their goal of graduating with a college degree. More than 40 students are benefiting from Future Focus support this academic year, bringing the total impact to date, to nearly $385,000 awarded to almost 300 students, in just three years. The majority of the awards have gone to juniors and seniors to help them complete their final semesters.
Support through the Future Focus Fund made it possible for Adrienne Stiger, a nontraditional student, to complete her final semester at UW-Parkside and graduate with a degree in communication in December 2021 – a life-long goal achieved. As a student, Stiger participated in long-term volunteer work in the community and gained additional skills in information technology and web development.
“(The Future Focus award) allowed me to take on these extra learning opportunities instead of having to worry about working as much to pay for tuition,” said Stiger. “I believe these opportunities like my independent studies of information technology programs allowed me to have an even better college experience and helped me to become a well-rounded individual.”
UW-Parkside will recognize Future Focus Fund corporate donors on Parkside Day, along with this year’s donors, including HARIBO of America, Snap-on Inc., and CNH Industrial.
Parkside Day activities began with the Ranger Run sponsored by Oakfire Pizzeria & Bar, 3552 Market Lane, Kenosha, and continue this week with community volunteering and virtual activities on April 7. Additional information about Parkside Day’s purpose and activities is available at www.uwp.edu/parkside-day .
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is committed to high-quality educational programs, creative and scholarly activities, and services responsive to its diverse student population, and its local, national, and global communities. We are a dynamic learning community grounded in academic excellence and focused on student success, diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. The campus serves as a premier comprehensive public institution and a destination of choice, serving as a focal point of local, regional, and global progress.
Media Contact:
Tannette Elie
Executive Director of University Relations
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
elie@uwp.edu