University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt was recently tossed into the frigid waters of Lake Winnebago as part of Polar Plunge Toss Your Boss event.
University Police Chief Joe LeMire was also tossed as part of the event. Several UW Oshkosh student organizations and other members of the UW Oshkosh police force also participated in the Polar Plunge activities to raise money, which benefited the Special Olympics organization.
The Oshkosh event raised more than $190,000, which benefits the organization’s mission of helping children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization and provides year-round training and competitions to more than 4 million athletes annually.
“I was delighted to participate in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics,” Leavitt said.
Leavitt, who came to Oshkosh from the southern part of the country was not, however, delighted to be in the freezing cold water during sub-freezing temperatures in Wisconsin. He said the Polar Plunge was a good introduction to the cold weather state–and a great opportunity to support a local nonprofit organization.