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Homecoming will have special meaning for Preston Hayward ’97, who met his wife, Kelly Warnecke ’97 (1974- 2007), when they were both community advisors in Clemans Hall.

On Friday, Oct. 17, the Department of Residence Life will host a celebration to announce the creation of the Kelly Warnecke Hayward ’97 Residence Life Scholarship Endowment Fund. Residence Life staff, along with alumni, friends and family of Kelly Warnecke Hayward, will gather from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Gruenhagen Conference Center to launch the fundraising campaign for this scholarship.

The Hayward ‘97 Residence Life Scholarship Endowment Fund will provide educational opportunities for high-achieving community assistants and program assistants.

The fund was established in May 2008 by Preston and her children, Brennan and Jocelyn. This is the first scholarship fund at the UW Oshkosh Foundation designated to benefit students who serve in Residence Life.

To allow the scholarship to benefit more students, Preston Hayward will match each dollar raised, up to $5,000, for this new fund.

Donations also may be made online at www.uwosh.edu/foundation/donationform.html. Please indicate the gift should be directed to the Kelly Warnecke Hayward ’97 Residence Life Scholarship Fund.

If you would like more information about the event or would like to make a contribution, please contact Barbara Beuscher, UW Oshkosh Foundation, at beuscherb@uwosh.edu or (920) 424-2428.

About Kelly Warnecke Hayward

Kelly Lee Warnecke Hayward ’97 was born in West Allis and graduated from Sussex-Hamilton High School. She earned a Bachelor of Education in Human Services degree, with a minor in coaching, from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. In 2000, she earned a Master’s degree in school counseling from Auburn University in Alabama.

During her time at UW Oshkosh, Hayward was employed by the Department of Residence Life as a community advisor in Webster Hall and Clemans Hall. She also was instrumental in founding the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) Chapter here at UW Oshkosh.

Hayward was a dedicated and committed floor leader, hall leader and community advisor known for her exceptional programming skills and outstanding relationship building. In fact, she was awarded Program of the Year in recognition of her skills in this area.

She was especially dedicated to UW Oshkosh Homecoming and Winter Carnival events, and took great pride in becoming personally involved with events and activities related to Homecoming and Winter Carnival, as well as encouraging many other residence hall students to do the same.

She was also actively involved in the coordination and promotion of Residence Hall Week during her time here at UW Oshkosh.

A nationally and state certified school counselor, Hayward relished the challenge of helping students within the alternative and public school environment. Hayward made a difference in the lives of many students in Wisconsin, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia and Washington.

Hayward was a very supportive U.S. Army military spouse, active within military family readiness channels. She moved to many places in support of her husband, and she loved the travel and cherished the friends she met around the world.

Friends always would remark that Hayward was the first person to show up at their door with a smile and offer assistance when someone new moved into the neighborhood.