Thanks-a-Million Details » Donate Online

A couple of years ago, former Assistant Chancellor Emeritus Lloyd Linden put forth an idea he had been thinking about for some time, a way to raise funds for UW-Platteville that would be both meaningful to the campus and a celebration for the many UWP alumni and friends who have been successful in their careers, their home lives, and in their service to the communities in which they lived.

Linden’s idea was to invite 1,000 alumni and friends who could donate $1,000 each, to total $1 million in support for campus projects and activities.  This support would directly help our students, faculty, and staff during times when our state support has dwindled and many important components of student life have had to be reduced substantially or eliminated.

Because the UWP Foundation was in the midst of obtaining gifts for the new engineering building, for Ullsvik Hall’s remodeling, scholarships and wide range of other projects throughout campus, the timing just wasn’t right for such an undertaking.

However, during spring 2009, Chancellor Markee and his Cabinet considered the continued cuts in the 2009-11 biennial budget for the state of Wisconsin and how it would affect the UW System and UWP.  There was realization that it would necessary to implement Linden’s unique idea – 1,000 x $1,000 – to achieve several projects important to UWP and to Chancellor Emeritus Markee.

“Thanks a Million” will provide essential funding for a number of priority projects, some of which require private funding before they are allowed to be implemented.  They include, but are not limited to:

·         Pioneer Academic Center for Community Engagement

·         Williams Fieldhouse Phase II (pool)

·         Boebel Hall multi-phase renovation

·         Engineering Hall (equipment)

·         Ottensman Hall multi-phase renovation

·         Nanotechnology Center for Collaborative Research and Development

·         Renewable Energy Center

·         Pioneer Farm (Beef Center)

·         Butch Leitl Field and Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium renovation

Other projects which could possibly benefit from this funding include Pioneer Gardens, the marching band, general support for the arts, the industrial studies 100-year celebration, the Western Field Trip, the Pioneer Museum and the Art Building and many more initiatives.

Our “Thanks a Million!” initiative is a way to raise funds for many worthwhile projects while, at the same time, providing a way for numerous alumni and friends of UW-Platteville to show their appreciation for the vision, leadership, and optimism provided by Chancellor Emeritus Markee over the years as UWP is now positioned for continued growth in its mission to serve Southwest Wisconsin.

We realize there are many of you who would love to take part in the “Thanks a Million!” effort but cannot make a gift of that size at the present time.  Please know we are appreciative of any and all gifts, regardless of the amount, and you can be a part of this project.  We also know there are already some individuals, groups, or corporate donors who plan to give in excess of the $1,000 mark.

One of Linden’s and Markee’s caveats for this effort was that the dollars raised should not deviate from what supporters already give to the university because that support is critical to keeping so many of our areas moving forward.

We look forward to sharing information with you in the future about the “Thanks a Million!” fundraising effort and we hope you will be able to help us make Linden’s dream a reality and honor Chancellors Emeritus Markee as we move forward in a positive direction.