Thank you to the 133 donors who helped the La Follette School raise over $47,000 during Day of the Badger! A generous $20,000 challenge from Michael (MA ’82) and JoAnn Youngman and Terry Lierman (MA ’71) rallied fellow alumni and donors to support students.
The Class of 2018 remained undefeated in the annual Graduating Class Competition. Over 27% of 2018 graduates participated in Day of the Badger, leading to a third straight win.
Other alumni encouraged their peers to donate in guest social media posts and emails.
“I was delighted to see the La Follette School community come together,” said La Follette School Director and Professor Susan Webb Yackee. “We are extremely grateful for our dedicated alumni and supporters. A special thank you to Michael and JoAnn Youngman and Terry Lierman whose generosity was instrumental to this year’s success.”
After seeing the impact of their 2021 incentive gift, the Youngmans pledged $10,000 again for 2022. Lierman also contributed $10,000 towards the 2022 challenge, which was unlocked on April 6 when the school reached 111 donations — last year’s record.
As in previous years, the La Follette School will use Day of the Badger donations to support students from groups underrepresented in higher education.
Money raised from the 2021 event helped the school waive fees for students applying to MPA and MIPA programs. Day of the Badger donations were also used in tandem with Graduate Research Scholar funding to create competitive offers for prospective students. “With the extra Day of the Badger support we received 2022, we’re excited to continue expanding these initiatives,” shared the school’s Associate Director Steve Kulig.
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association coordinates the annual campuswide event. Day of the Badger’s 1,848 minute duration represents the university’s founding in 1848.