Day of the Badger challenge to support students from underrepresented groups

Help us reach 315 donations on March 28-29

On March 28 and 29, La Follette School alumni and friends can help the school unlock $20,000 while supporting students.

Alum Kevin Hayden (MA ’84) generously created the challenge to encourage supporters during Day of the Badger, UW–Madison’s annual day of giving. The $20,000 gift will be unlocked when the school reaches 135 donors.

A retired healthcare and insurance executive, Hayden has led Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, Wisconsin’s Department of Health & Family Services, and other organizations. Seeing the La Follette School community rally to support students during previous Day of the Badger celebrations inspired Hayden to give back.

In 2022, 133 donors helped the school raise $47,000. As in previous years, gifts made to the La Follette School during Day of the Badger will directly support students from groups underrepresented in higher education.

“Since 2019, Day of the Badger donations have provided $70,000 of support to five graduate students through two project assistantships and three scholarship offers,” said Steve Kulig, the school’s associate director. “These funds have directly contributed to the successful recruitment of the best and brightest students to our graduate program.”

The online portal will open for donations at 10:12 a.m. CT on Tuesday, March 28 and close on Wednesday, March 29 at 5 p.m. The 1,848-minute event represents the university’s founding in 1848.

Get involved:

  • Add Day of the Badger to your Google calendar, iCalendar, 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 135 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 three competitions.

Following Day of the Badger, alumni and friends are invited to continue the celebration at the school’s annual Alumni and Friends Reception, beginning at 5 p.m. at Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts.


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