Day of the Badger

Bucky Badger above the text "Day of the Badger" with confetti
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Bucky Badger above the text "Day of the Badger" with confetti
A spirited day of giving where you can help support the La Follette School and unlock $101,750 when we reach 229 donors. Make a gift

Help us unlock $101,750 – WE DID IT!

237 gifts and $143,426 raised! Special thank you to all our donors and challenge gift supporters, including: David & Madeleine Lubar, Michael & JoAnn Youngman, Roger Ervin, Carolyn Hill, Theresa E. Mintle, Mike Fasano, Eric Schutt, Leslie Ann Howard, Alex Conant, Theola Carter, Dennis Dresang, Jason Gerlach, and Bob Lang who created a generous $101,750 challenge for La Follette School alumni and supporters. La Follette alumni rallied their cohorts for the annual graduating class competition. The graduation year with the highest percentage of Day of the Badger donors wins. Check out the final standings (as of 4/16/26):
Class Year % of Cohort
2016 38%
2018 37%
1991 24%
2005 18%
2004 14%
2024 14%
2008 13%
2014 12%
2012 12%
2003 11%
2019 10%

Your gift’s impact

Help La Follette students change the world! Last year, 225 donors joined forces during Day of the Badger to create life-changing opportunities for our students. Today, we’re at a turning point. With a historic $30 million gift from Herb Kohl Philanthropies, we are sustaining programmatic support and renovating Music Hall, which will be renamed Herb Kohl Hall (opening 2029). While this is a powerful step forward, our focus now is on ensuring that we have the resources to launch and sustain the new Undergraduate Major in Fall 2026. In particular, Day of the Badger will help raise funds for student support, like additional teaching assistant positions for our growing undergrad course needs, which will directly fund more graduate students. To sustain this momentum, we need your help. Every gift during Day of the Badger—no matter the size—makes a difference. Make your gift today and help our students thrive. ——————————————————–

Get involved

  • Make a gift on April 14 or 15 to help us exceed 229 donors — every donation makes a difference and every dollar counts!
  • Spread the word and share your La Follette School spirit on social media by tagging @UWLaFollette and using #DayOfTheBadger.
  • Alumni can rally their cohorts for the annual graduating class competition. The graduation year with the highest percentage of Day of the Badger donors wins.

Events

Head to Union South for fun events to earn extra cash for the department of your choice! The Sett at Union South, 1308 W. Dayton Street Both Days (Starting at 10:12 a.m.)
  • Stop by for Day of the Badger giveaways
  • Catch Bucky starting at 12 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday
  • Take a selfie in front of the disco-themed display – and tag us in your posts @UWLaFollette!
Tuesday Only 
  • Bucky scavenger hunt: Get ready to search for squishy plush Buckys hidden around campus, beginning at 10:12 a.m. Check @WisAlumni on Instagram for details.
  • Vote for your campus cause: Visit the voting wall to support your school/college, Student Affairs, or the Great People Scholarship. The winning cause will earn extra cash!
Wednesday Only
  • Cash dome: jump in and grab as many Bucky bucks as you can for the cause of your choice!

Leadership Circle

Join our Leadership Circle during Day of the Badger with a monthly gift as low as $40 or an annual gift of $500 or more. As a member of the Leadership Circle, you will receive invites to special events and member-only updates, news, and information.

Organizers

Contact