On April 5 and 6, Day of the Badger donors can help the La Follette School unlock an extra $20,000 generously donated by alumni.
Michael (MA ’82) and JoAnn Youngman’s 2021 challenge gift inspired 111 donors to give nearly $25,000 on Day of the Badger in support of La Follette students. A retired executive at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Youngman has served on the school’s Board of Visitors since its inception in 2015.
Encouraged by last year’s success, the Youngmans decided to pledge $10,000 again in 2022. The gift will be unlocked when the school reaches 111 Day of the Badger donors.
To further entice potential donors, Terry Lierman (MA ’71) will contribute another $10,000 when the school reaches its Day of the Badger challenge goal. Lierman, a founding partner of Summit Global Ventures, served as chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer. He joined the school’s Board of Visitors in 2019.
Day of the Badger is UW–Madison’s annual day of giving. The event lasts 1,848 minutes, representing the university’s founding in 1848.
As in previous years, donations made to the La Follette School on Day of the Badger will directly support efforts to recruit students from underrepresented groups. 2021 gifts helped fund competitive offers to prospective graduate students.
“I know our pledges will help bring the best and brightest students to Madison and La Follette will train them to become the next generation of public sector leaders,” shared Michael Youngman. “Your donation will help ensure our pledges will have the maximum impact.”
Get involved:
- Add Day of the Badger to your Google calendar or Outlook calendar
- Spread the word and share your La Follette School spirit on social media by tagging @UWLaFollette and using #DayOfTheBadger
- Donate to help us reach 111 gifts — every donation makes a difference, and every dollar counts!
Alumni can also participate in the Graduating Class Competition, in which cohorts compete to have the highest percentage of their graduation year donate. The class of 2018 remains undefeated, having won the previous two competitions.
The online portal will open for donations at 10:12 a.m. CT on Tuesday, April 5 and close on Wednesday, April 6 at 5 p.m.