SOMERS — Nearly $150,000 was raised for scholarships during Parkside Day at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
The second annual event took place March 5, intended to raise funds for student scholarships and other projects and to engage the community in showing their Parkside pride.
In all, 479 donors raised $143,923, with supporters selecting from a variety of scholarships and other areas to support, including Ranger athletics and the Future Focus Scholarship.
The Future Focus Scholarship was established by the UW-Parkside Foundation in 2018 through individual and corporate gifts and is the Foundation’s largest scholarship fund dedicated to student need. A special area of focus are UW-Parkside seniors who have exhausted their financial aid options and need additional support to complete their final semesters and graduate.
Haribo of America was recognized as the Parkside Day presenting sponsor thanks to its support of the Future Focus Scholarship. Additional 2020 corporate supporters for the Future Focus Scholarship include CNH Industrial, Community State Bank and Snap-on Inc.
“From our corporate partners to alumni, university faculty and staff, to parents of students and even current students, the community came together to support UW-Parkside and make more opportunities possible for students,” said Tom Krimmel, associate chancellor for university development and alumni relations.
“This day far exceeded our goals. Parkside Day was an incredible demonstration of how proud our alumni and supporters are of the university, and it shows how invested our community is in making sure students can realize their futures and provide the talent needed for our region’s economy.”
Individuals interested in supporting the Future Focus Scholarship or other UW-Parkside initiatives can learn more and give online at uwp.edu/giving.
Ranger Romp
Throughout Parkside Day, supporters engaged with the university on social networks and on campus. A highlight of Parkside Day was the Ranger Romp event, held at the university.
The Parkside Range, a student contemporary a cappella group, and Betsy Ade and the Well-Known Strangers provided musical entertainment. Ade is a UW-Parkside alumna and was a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2019.
The Ranger Romp also featured Parkside trivia and activities highlighting different areas of the university.
RangerVision 2020
Parkside Day also served as the kickoff for UW-Parkside Ranger Athletics’ RangerVision 2020 fundraising campaign. RangerVision 2020 is a $5 million campaign to enhance UW-Parkside’s Sports & Activity Center with two new facilities, the renovation of Alfred and Bernice De Simone Gymnasium, and additional enhancements.
The two new facilities will include a new multi-purpose turf performance facility and the Mark Olsen Indoor Golf Center. The renovation of De Simone Gymnasium will include a complete reconstruction of the bleachers and additional enhancements.
Haribo of America provided a lead gift to the De Simone Gymnasium project in fall 2019, securing the naming for “Haribo Court.”
More than $2.8 million has been committed from individuals, corporations, the university and the state of Wisconsin; the campaign will seek additional individual and corporate support.
Additional information about the RangerVision 2020 campaign is available online at uwp.edu/giving/rangervision2020.cfm.
PARKSIDE WINTER COMMENCEMENT

Holly Boyce and Jade Webb take their photo before the ceremony.
PARKSIDE WINTER COMMENCEMENT

Susan Podlogar was the commencement speaker during the Dec. 14 ceremonies at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
PARKSIDE WINTER COMMENCEMENT

Laurel Marcinkus gives the thumbs up sign during her chancellor’s award ceremony during the 2019 Winter Commencement at the University of Wisconsin Parkside.
PARKSIDE WINTER COMMENCEMENT

A variety of messages were featured on the caps of UW-Parkside graduates during Saturday’s winter commencement.
PARKSIDE WINTER COMMENCEMENT

Michael Connolly grins as he is congratulated by Dr. Suzanne Swiderski after graduating during the Dec. 14 winter commencement at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. He was the physics and mathematics outstanding graduate.
PARKSIDE WINTER COMMENCEMENT

Students enter Saturday’s winter graduation ceremony past a University of Wisconsin-Parkside sign.