UWSP honored for best practices in alumni relations

For the Metro Wire

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has been recognized by an international association of educational institutions for its Alumni Days of Service program.

The Midwest chapter of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Higher Education (CASE) presented the university’s Alumni Relations Office with the Bronze Award for Best Practices in Alumni Relations as part of its 2018 Platinum Level Pride of CASE V Award Program.

Other institutions honored by CASE V in 2018 include Notre Dame, Purdue, Indiana University and UW-Madison.

Started in 2017, UW-Stevens Point Alumni Days of Service was a part of the university’s annual Day of Giving as alumni chapters across the nation found ways to give back to their communities. Five Days of Service were held to demonstrate all the ways #UWSPGIVESBACK.

The program grew to nine locations in 2018, including a storytelling event held in New London that brought together alumni and actress Kathy Kinney, playing her role as Mrs. P, with several alumni authors, including Scott Langteau, for a community book drive.

The UW-Stevens Point Alumni Days of Service have had an impact in communities across the country, from Alaska to Phoenix and Wausau. Plans are underway to significantly expand the program with UW-Stevens Point’s 125th-anniversary celebration in 2019. The Alumni Relations Office will lead the effort to have 125 Days of Service to mark this special milestone for the university.

“The heart of this program is the alumni volunteers,” said Laura Gehrman Rottier, director of Alumni Relations. “Our university has a tradition of being committed to serving the communities in central and northern Wisconsin, and our alumni continue to be involved citizens where ever life has taken them.

Alumni choose their projects, host their Days of Service and recruit other volunteers, she said, adding, “The outpouring of support has been inspirational.”

To learn more about the Alumni Days of Service or to host an event, please email [email protected].