THEWisconsin INDEPENDENT Summer 2007 Newsletter of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU) Vol. 39 No. 2 President’s Letter WAICU Students’ Day puts focus Wisconsin Tuition Grant on support for fi nancial aid Dear Friends, The private colleges and universities that are members of WAICU receive no general operating support from taxpayers. Although we are private, nonprofit institutions of higher learning, we are united in performing a public service to the people of Wisconsin. Our motto is “WAICU: Wisconsin’s private colleges working together to advance educational opportunity.” Today there are over 57,000 students enrolled in our 20 member colleges and universities—an increase of more than 60 percent in the last two decades. In the same period, enrollment in the 26 campuses of the UW system has changed very little. Students enrolled at WAICU members have a much greater chance Dr. Rolf Wegenke, WAICU president, stands with State Senator Jeff Plale, a member of the of graduating in four years and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Higher Education, and State Representative Joan average class size is just 17. Most Ballweg, a member of the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee, after they addressed significant for Wisconsin’s future: students during a morning of educational programming as part of WAICU Students' Day. WAICU members enroll a higher percentage of low-income students On March 28, students from WAICU-member private colleges and universities than does the UW system. converged on the Capitol in Madison to send a message to Wisconsin’s elected leaders This matters because Wisconsin that student financial aid—specifically the Wisconsin Tuition Grant (WTG)—is essential regularly ranks between 32nd and for expanding educational opportunity and positioning Wisconsin as a leader in the 35th place in the percentage of its knowledge economy. Roughly thirty-five percent of WAICU’s Wisconsin students population with a college degree; it receive the WTG, which enables qualified students to attend the college of their choice. matters because the only population The proof that financial aid works is that WAICU members enroll a higher percentage of that is growing in the traditional low-income students than does the University of Wisconsin System. college-going years is low-income; After a morning of educational programming about the WTG and the workings it matters because the only way to of state government (including speeches by WAICU president Rolf Wegenke, Ripon position Wisconsin for leadership in College president David Joyce, State Senator Jeff Plale, and State Representative Joan the knowledge economy is to increase Ballweg), the students met with their hometown legislators to thank them for their our college- continued on page 7 support of means-tested student financial aid. more photos on page 6 Alverno College • Beloit College • Cardinal Stritch University • Carroll College Carthage College • Concordia University • Edgewood College • Lakeland College Lawrence University • Marian College • Marquette University Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design • Milwaukee School of Engineering Mount Mary College • Northland College • Ripon College • St. Norbert College Silver Lake College • Viterbo University • Wisconsin Lutheran College THE Wisconsin INDEPENDENT • Summer 2007 Mount Mary honored for service learning Commencements ALVERNO COLLEGE’s graduation was May 19. Philanthropist Tashia F. Mount Mary complete a first-year course called the Leadership for Social Justice Morgridge received an honorary degree; Seminar, which focuses on contemporary the speaker was Carole Meekins, news social problems. Mount Mary students anchor for WTMJ TV 4 … BELOIT enrolled in this Leadership Seminar have COLLEGE held ceremonies on May completed approximately 1,300 hours 13. Bruce Alberts, former president of of service at more than 35 community the National Academy of Sciences, spoke sites such as inner city schools, homeless and received an honorary degree. Other shelters, meal programs, medical clinics, honors recipients were civic leaders Ken literacy centers, social service agencies, and Diane Hendricks … On May 20, and neighborhood associations. Mount Mary students help with cleanup after CARDINAL STRITCH UNIVERSITY Hurricane Katrina The Caroline Scholars Program extends that foundation of civic heard from Mark Attanasio, owner of the Milwaukee Brewers; an honorary Mount Mary College recently received engagement by assembling a select cohort doctorate went to the owner of Bulk national recognition when the college of academically gifted, socially committed was named to the U.S. President’s young women. There are currently 18 Petroleum, Darshan Dhaliwal … Steven Higher Education Community Service Caroline Scholars at Mount Mary. They A. Burd, CEO of Safeway, spoke at National Honor Roll. Mount Mary was receive free tuition, room, and board for CARROLL COLLEGE on May the only institution of higher learning three consecutive years so they are able 13 … On May 27 at CARTHAGE in Milwaukee and one of only nine to engage in community service without COLLEGE, honorary degrees went to the burden of having to work significantly institutions in the state of Wisconsin to Rev. Robert S. Wilch, former head of to pay for college. The program is funded receive this national distinction. the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan Synod by the Trinity Foundation of Wisconsin, Community service and civic of the Lutheran Church in America, engagement have always been key aspects a supporting organization of the Greater and Rev. William B. Downey, former of the Mount Mary College experience. Milwaukee Foundation, and Mount Mary pastor of Fox Point Lutheran Church “Our college was founded by the School College. Sisters of Notre Dame, who seek to The Caroline Scholars have completed … CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY’s transform the world through education,” approximately 6,300 hours of community graduation was May 12. Dr. Doris said Paige Conley, Coordinator for service in the greater Milwaukee area. Christopher, founder of The Pampered Service Learning and the Leadership Serving primarily in economically Chef, spoke and received an honorary for Social Justice Seminar. “Our college distressed urban neighborhoods, these degree. Other honors recipients: students fill a variety of roles such as mission is to develop the whole person Richard Vie and Rev. Carl H. Krueger, educational tutors, peer mentors, child and to encourage leadership, integrity, and Jr. … Graduation at EDGEWOOD care providers, advocates, and life-skill a deep sense of social justice, preparing COLLEGE was May 20. Philanthropist our students to lead for the common counselors. Ruth DeYoung Kohler received an good.” Education major Molly Mahoney is honorary doctorate … At LAKELAND While Mount Mary students perform enthusiastic about her service work: “It is many kinds of service, from Hurricane so rewarding to cross economic, gender, COLLEGE on May 6, honorary degrees Katrina cleanup (pictured) to helping class, and racial barriers and see the basic went to commencement speaker Sue with community art projects in Peru, goodness of people; to share the smiles of Ann Thompson, founder of Wisconsin the college was specifically commended children and see how much they can give Women’s Health Foundation, and civic for two of its academic programs: the if they have the chance. Once you have leader Alice Senty … LAWRENCE this experience, it becomes as much a part Leadership for Social Justice Seminar and UNIVERSITY will hold commencement of you as the beat of your heart, and you the Caroline Scholars Program. on June 10 … Spring commencement will do it for the rest of your life.” Most traditional students entering at MARIAN COLLEGE was May 19, with speaker Sr. Helen Prejean, The new WAICU author of Dead Man Walking … At 2008 Guide to Note: In order to highlight all twenty MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY on Admissions and of Wisconsin’s private colleges and Financial Aid universities, The Wisconsin Independent May 20, sports journalist Steve Rushin will be mailed follows a regular rotation featuring six spoke and received an honorary degree, in August. or seven colleges in each quarterly issue. as did Louis Dupré, philosopher and Questions? Call 1- Each college or university appears in theologian; Rev. Leland Eugene Lubbers, every third issue. 800-4-DEGREE. continued on page 8 THE Wisconsin INDEPENDENT • Summer 2007 Page 3 Richard Artman installed as Viterbo University’s eighth president leader who very much enjoys the day- million. Plans to construct a state-of- to-day contact he has with students and the-art nursing building and adding new staff. He is the first sitting president to be doctoral and master’s degree programs appointed in Viterbo’s history. were also future initiatives included in the When Artman took the helm at Viterbo president’s address. in July 2006, he inherited a university In keeping with the inaugural theme whose future is very bright. Under the of “Hope and Help,” the installation leadership of previous president Bill ceremony concluded a weeklong series of Medland, enrollment more than doubled, events celebrating Viterbo and its people. endowment was raised from $2.7 Artman made it clear that he wanted million to $20 million, and a number of the inauguration activities to focus on significant campus building projects were the university, not himself, and this was Viterbo president Dr. Rick Artman delivers completed. reflected in events such as a community his inaugural