Affinity Health System's long-time support of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and northeastern Wisconsin was recognized with the UW Oshkosh Foundation's second Collaboration in Action Leadership Award Sept. 16.
The honor acknowledges Affinity for the organization's commitment to collaboration among higher education, business and community. The award was presented during the Foundation's Report to the Community Breakfast at Reeve Memorial Union, where more than 250 business and community leaders attended the annual event.
"The leadership of Affinity Health System has provided valuable service to our University over the years," said John Wollner '95 MBA, Foundation Outreach Committee chair and corporate relations director of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Currently, Dan Neufelder, president and CEO of Affinity Health System, is serving on the Chancellor's Council of Advisors. Tom Veeser, chief nursing officer, serves on the College of Nursing's Board of Visitors.
Affinity Health System has been a generous financial supporter of the University, providing money for scholarships and endowments, funds for the new training room at the Oshkosh Sports Complex as well as seed funds for the University's Accelerated Nursing Program.
Affinity also has been a valuable partner with UW Oshkosh in the Living Healthy Community Clinic, which provides care to hundreds who live without health insurance.
The University's College of Nursing and Affinity are collaborating on another venture: the Clinical Nurse Leader program. Affinity pays 100 percent of the salary and benefits for a joint employee who facilitates the masterÕs degree within the healthcare system and donates 50 percent of work time back to the college.
"Programs like these play an important role in improving the quality of life for residents of northeastern Wisconsin's New North - and allow the College of Nursing to serve as a leader in nursing education," said Rosemary Smith, College of Nursing dean.
Last year's award was presented to J. J. Keller and Associates.
New building design unveiled
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh unveiled the design for the University's first new academic building since the 1970s during the UW Oshkosh Foundation's Report to the Community Breakfast in September.
The new academic building will impact more than 12,000 current students and tens of thousands of future students, as the University ramps up to deliver the region's portion of Wisconsin's Growth Agenda.
"Northeastern Wisconsin, one of the largest population centers in Wisconsin, continues to grow, and with that growth, comes an increased demand for educational programs and services," said Chancellor Richard H. Wells. "UW Oshkosh, the region's most comprehensive university and the state's third largest, has grown to meet that demand while maintaining quality education. The campus, however, has not added a new academic center since the early 1970s."
The state will provide a $54-million package to fund the construction of a 175,000-square-foot building that will serve as one of the region's most distinctive academic learning environments. An additional $8.6 million will be raised from private donors for the new academic building as part of the University's first comprehensive fundraising effort - the pride.purpose.promise. campaign.
Community and corporate commitment is vital to the campaignÕs success. Among the lead donors is the Bemis Company. Nearly 100 UW Oshkosh alumni are employed by the company, many members of their staff are involved in University advisory boards, support endowed professorships and student scholarships, and provide internship opportunities.
"The Bemis Foundation is proud to be a part of the expansion and growth of UW Oshkosh," said Gene Seashore, human resources vice president. "Although the Bemis Foundation typically chooses to fund programming over capital campaigns, the strong relationship between the University and Bemis makes this an exceptional opportunity for us both."
Hear from more lead donors and watch a video introduction to the new academic center online at pridepurposepromise.org.
Scholarship named for 'Doc' Snyder
The Dr. Robert L. Snyder Scholarship was created in memory of "Doc" Snyder, professor emeritus of communication (radio-TV-film), who educated, mentored, enlightened and entertained two generations of students and the listening public.
In March 2008, Snyder died at the age of 79 in Milwaukee.
Founder of the UW Oshkosh radio-TV-film program, Snyder taught from 1964 until his retirement in 1993. In 1966, he created WRST (Wisconsin Radio Station of the Titans), and for more than 40 years he shared his appreciation for jazz on his weekly radio program, "Doc's Jazz City."
His distinctive voice, warm personality, and passion for his students and his field made him a popular and respected part of campus life. For more than 20 years, Snyder read the names of each graduating student at commencement exercises and was the play-by-play announcer at Titan football and basketball games. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2001.
Snyder's counsel led many of his students to successful positions in the broadcasting field. But he was just as satisfied to learn when one of them had found work that was personally satisfying, whatever the profession.
"As long as they were happy, that's what mattered," said his wife, Irene.
Click here to read more about new Foundation funds.
VandeHei speaks at Foundation Breakfast
Journalism alumnus James VandeHei '94, cofounder of The Politico (www.thepolitico.com), served as the guest speaker at the UW Oshkosh Foundation's Report to the Community Breakfast Sept. 16. He shared his perspective about the November presidential election's impact on the future of the country and which issues, including higher education, were largely ignored by the campaigns.
As reported in The Advance Titan, UW Oshkosh's student-run newspaper, VandeHei called the upcoming election "the most important election of modern times." He outlined the sobering challenges the country faces, including the financial crisis, an outdated energy program and the multitude of conflicts in the Middle East that are piling up the budget deficit.
VandeHei said that Politico has been covering the ins and outs of the presidential campaign "mostly because we're a bunch of political junkies who are way too fixated on this campaign."
VandeHei left The Washington Post, where he was a national political reporter, to help create The Politico, a new and exciting way of delivering political news. He serves as the executive editor.