Newsletter of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU) SUMMER 2013 VOL. 45 NO. 2 INDEPENDENT INSIGHTS The missing students: gratitude and resolve AlvernoAlverno College When I was a kid, I loved the newspaper Wisconsin’s competitive position in the global Bellin College Beloit College feature which laid two drawings side-by-side, “Knowledge Economy.” Beloit College Cardinal Stritch University and the reader was challenged to find the To be precise, it is not students we are Cardinal Stritch University CarrollCarroll University differences between them. Sometimes it was missing; it is opportunity for students. CarthageCarthage College obvious—no sun in the sky, for example— WAICU’s 23 member colleges and universities ColumbiaConcordia College University of Nursing and sometimes the difference was hard to have grown their enrollment by 97 percent ConcordiaEdgewood University College Wisconsin find—a curl of hair. It is a maxim of logic that since 1980. Even though the numbers of LakelandEdgewood CollegeCollege you “cannot prove a negative.” In everyday traditional age students (18 to 22 years old) Lakeland College Lawrence University conversation, we say “you don’t know what are declining, WAICU has for more than LawrenceMarian University University you are missing!” 35 years reached out with flexible degree MarquetteMarian University University Marquette University Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design We are in danger of missing something programs to meet employer needs and to Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee School of Engineering else in Wisconsin: students, or, put another provide accessible, affordable opportunities Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design way, the students themselves are missing out for students. These programs are offered on MilwaukeeMount School Mary ofCollege Engineering MountNorthland Mary College College on something very important. Wisconsin nights and weekends, and many classes begin, NorthlandRipon College College lags the United States in the percentage not on a regular academic calendar, but St. RiponNorbert College College of its population with a postsecondary whenever a cohort of students is gathered. SilverSt. Norbert Lake CollegeCollege degree and, as a result, lags in income Accelerated programs and online courses are Silver LakeViterbo College University of the Holy Family growth. The so-called skills gap threatens also offered. Today approximately 40 percent WisconsinViterbo Lutheran University College Wisconsin Lutheran College continued on page 7 WAICU leads in preparing students for critical occupations In 2011–12 Wisconsin’s WAICU members private, nonprofit colleges accounted for 40 percent of and universities produced 25 WAICU's Share of Degrees, 2011-2012 all bachelor’s-level health percent of Wisconsin’s total graduates, and 53 percent bachelor’s degree graduates Bachelors Degrees 25% of the state’s new graduates and 35 percent of total Chemistry 26% with baccalaureate nursing graduate and professional Engineering 30% degrees. Among graduate degrees. However, these all Health 40% and professional degrees institutions’ statewide awarded in 2011–12, WAICU Nursing 53% contribution was even more members produced more than significant in several critical half of the nurses, medical occupational areas. Graduate Degrees 36% doctors, and educators, and Among key S.T.E.M. Nursing 56% 100 percent of the dentists. fields (Science, Technology, Medical Doctor 58% The State of Wisconsin Engineering, and Math), Education 60% depends on WAICU members WAICU members accounted Dentistry 100% to educate students as skilled for 26 percent of the State’s professionals. g chemistry graduates and Source: U.S. Department of Education, Integrated Postsecondary Education 30 percent of the engineering Data System, IPEDS Completions Survey, 2011-12. graduates. COUNSELOR NEWS & NOTES Visit Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit colleges SPRING COMMENCEMENTS and universities during Private College Week: Alverno College: May 18. Sasheene Denny was the student speaker; Allicia July 8-13, 2013 Washington-White served as the coordina- tor of ceremonies. Wisconsin Private College Week, July 8-13, offers students a chance to “jump start” the college search Bellin College: May 18. Amy St. Laurent, process. vice president of family programs and ser- It is never too early for students and families to explore vices at Bellin Health Systems and a Bellin the private, nonprofit colleges and universities in the alumna, gave the keynote address. state, each with its own unique focus and flavor. During this “open house” week, there will be tours on each Beloit College: May 12. U.S. Senator campus, talks by admission and financial aid officers, and Tammy Baldwin was the keynote speaker. information on majors and extracurricular activities. The place to start is PrivateCollegeWeek.com, WAICU’s Cardinal Stritch University: May 19. Al dedicated website where students and families will find Costigan, a member of the Cardinal Stritch details Board of Trustees, was the keynote speaker about and received an honorary degree. COUNSELOR WORKSHOP DATES private, nonprofit Carroll University: May 12. Dorval R. colleges Carter Jr., a 1979 Carroll graduate and SAVE THE DATE and universities in Wisconsin. Students chief counsel of the Federal Transit can learn how to register for drawings Administration, gave the keynote address. 2013 WAICU to win a $1,000 “Go Grant” that can be applied to tuition at any WAICU-member Carthage College: May 26. Miss America School Counselor college or university. Winning students 2012 and Carthage alumna Laura Workshops have up to two years to use their grant, Kaeppeler was the commencement so it’s perfect for sophomores and juniors speaker. as well. 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Counselors can also be winners. Columbia College of Nursing: May 10. No charge to attend We are offering an iPad as a prize to two Tammy Kasprovich, Clinical Associate individuals who encourage the most Professor, gave the faculty address. An Monday, October 14, 2013 students to sign up for the drawing. honorary degree was awarded to Jill Wisconsin Lutheran College, Complete rules and how to qualify for Pelisek, vice chair of the Columia St. Milwaukee the iPad drawing can be found on the Mary’s Foundation board of directors. Tuesday, October 15, 2013 website. An added benefit of Private Beloit College, Beloit College Week is the waiver of application Concordia University Wisconsin: May 18. Monday, October 21, 2013 fees that students will receive at each Retiring Concordia professor of education St. Norbert College, De Pere campus they visit. Dr. James Juergensen gave the commence- NEW: October, 2013 For more information, call ment address. Metropolis Resort, Eau Claire 1.800.433.4733 or just head to PrivateCollegeWeek.com to plan your Edgewood College: May 19. Former Workshops include breakout week and sign up for a “Go Grant.” g Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton deliv- sessions with representatives from ered the commencement address. WAICU-member colleges and universities, a presentation by the Lakeland College: May 5. Former WAICU Student Access Center, The WAICU 2014 Guide to Lakeland College Trustee Bill Younger and and complimentary continental David Moyer, conference minister for the breakfast and lunch. Campus- Admission and Financial Aid will be available soon! Call Wisconsin Conference of the United Church based workshops include a tour of Christ, received honorary degrees. of the host campus. Visit WAICU at 1.800.433.4733 or waicu.org/counselors now for e-mail [email protected] to place your orders! Lawrence University: June 9. Martha more information. Nussbaum, the Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics at the continued on page 6 2 SUMMER 2013 THE WISCONSIN INDEPENDENT MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS ALL WAICU MEMBERS FEATURED IN A REGULAR ROTATION Ripon shares in $1.1 million three schools contribute funding and institutional McNair grant support to supplement the federal funding.” RIPON COLLEGE Ripon also hosts A new five-year grant totaling $1.1 a U.S. Department of million continues a successful regional Education TRIO program, collaboration among Ripon College, Student Support Services, Lawrence University, and St. Norbert which functions as a College. The colleges’ Ronald E. McNair direct pipeline for first- Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program generation, low-income was recently awarded the grant by the U.S. students to the McNair Department of Education TRIO division. Scholars Program. The McNair program prepares first- The program provides generation, low-income and racially students with access to underrepresented students for graduate research internships, Jeremy Johnson ‘12 (3rd from l.), a current graduate student, came school and the attainment of doctorate graduate school visits, back to Ripon College to meet with current McNair scholars. degrees. seminars, workshops, “We are at a time in our country where mentoring, teaching experiences, financial going directly into doctorate programs. “It’s we need more highly educated citizens, and guidance, Graduate Record Examination changed a lot of people’s lives,” Krhin says. we feel we are doing our part through the (GRE) preparation, and presentation skills. Jeremy Johnson, a 2012 graduate McNair program to attain this goal,” says The McNair Achievement Program of Ripon College and currently a Dan Krhin, director of Student Support currently is supported by a TRIO grant that graduate student in the Department of Services and