Philanthropy: In Support of UW Oshkosh’s Future

Beyond the bricks and mortar, the new classroom walls and work spaces, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s newest academic center — Sage Hall — is unique in the way it was built.

The funding hybrid of public and private dollars that made it possible for Sage Hall to open its doors this fall is a first-of-its-kind for UW Oshkosh. Launched in 2006, a multifaceted, comprehensive pride.purpose.promise. campaign targeted donors to make the project a reality.

In total, approximately $5 million in private funds were raised in support of Sage Hall.

UW Oshkosh alumni and sisters Carol (Pawer) Sanders ’89, and Terri Pawer ’79 and ’89 MBA, couldn’t think of a better way to honor their parents than to have a space in the new building — Pawer Accounting Faculty Office — named after them.

“It was an extremely emotional time, but after my mother passed away, Terri and I decided to give,” Sanders said. “We got a beautiful letter thanking us, which we gave to our dad. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a more proud moment for him than when we presented him with that letter. Unfortunately, he passed away last February so he won’t be able to see the room, either.”

Ultimately, Sanders said she and her sister decided to give to the Sage Hall effort because they are believers in public education and products of a UW Oshkosh education. Their dad, Donald, was an educator in the Appleton school system for more than 35 years who put his four daughters through college on a teacher’s salary.

“We had a wonderful education and then we were populated right back into the community,” said Sanders, who works for Jewelers Mutual Insurance. “We couldn’t be more impressed with how far the UW Oshkosh experience has gotten us in our careers.”

Others, like UW Oshkosh alumnus Dave Geurden ’71, and his wife, Sharon, also gave in memory of a loved one.

The Titan-colored signage that reads, “Geurden Group Room” was an appropriate way for the Geurdens to honor their late daughter, Tammy, a 1993 graduate who loved UW Oshkosh.

“When you lose a child, you just want to keep their memory out there,” Sharon Geurden said. “My husband always felt that because he went to school there, it was important to give back. School gives you the tools for your future livelihood, and you have a responsibility to give back.”

• New UW Oshkosh Foundation funds
• UW Oshkosh Foundation

Tags: alumni Philanthropy Sage Hall Support