UWM Comprehensive Campaign Announces $5 Million in New Gifts

MILWAUKEE – Four major Milwaukee corporations and a university dean each stepped forward on Tuesday with $1 million gifts for the university’s comprehensive, $100 million fund-raising campaign. The contributions – from Harley-Davidson, Inc., Marshall & Ilsley Corporation, Northwestern Mutual, Wisconsin Energy and Stan Stojkovic, dean of UWM’s Helen Bader School of Social Welfare – bring the total gathered to $64 million. At a special event held in the university’s Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts, UWM also introduced the Executive Committee and Campaign Cabinet, both consisting of area corporate and civic leaders.

The corporate gifts came from the organizations led by the four co-chairs of the comprehensive campaign. The co-chairs, all degree holders from UWM, were first introduced in January: UWM alumni Gale E. Klappa, BA ’72, chairman, president and CEO of Wisconsin Energy; Dennis J. Kuester, BBA ’66, PhD (Honorary) ’96, chairman and CEO of Marshall & Ilsley Corporation; James L. Ziemer, BBA ’75, MBA ’86, president and CEO of Harley-Davidson, Inc.; and Edward J. Zore, BS ’68, MS ’70, PhD (Honorary) ’05, president and CEO of Northwestern Mutual.

Sheldon B. Lubar, PhD (Honorary) ’88, founder and chairman of Lubar & Co., Inc.of Milwaukee, is honorary co-chair.

The Wisconsin Energy Foundation has committed $1 million to strategic research development at UWM. “We’re proud to be giving the first philanthropic gift to support research at the university. Our economy must continue to diversify, and the practical research that will be undertaken at UWM will be a key driver in the future economic success of this region,” says Klappa.

Marshall & Ilsley Foundation, Inc., has committed $1 million to establish the M&I Marshall & Ilsley Center for Business Ethics at the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business. “The study and understanding of business ethics is critical to the success of our market-driven economy,” says Kuester. “This gift will allow the School of Business to enhance its current ethics curriculum by providing additional faculty support and expanding the offering of classes, seminars and conferences on this issue.”

Harley-Davidson Foundation also has committed $1 million to support strategic research development. “UWM is a valuable resource in our community, and Harley-Davidson enthusiastically embraces the UWM campaign. We're excited about the vision to transform UWM into an entrepreneurial university, and the impact that will have on Milwaukee,” says Ziemer.

Northwestern Mutual Foundation has committed $1 million to support the Actuarial Science program and continue support of diversity scholarships throughout the university.“Northwestern Mutual’s partnership with UWM is historic – it goes back decades – and now is the time for us to step up and provide meaningful support to this great community resource, and ensure our wonderful partnership carries on decades into the future,” says Zore.

Also announced was a planned gift commitment of $1 million by Stan Stojkovic, dean of the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, for the School. “I wanted my gift to enable criminal justice students to continue their education, both traditional students as well as those who have already been practicing in the field. I also know how important it is for a dean to have gifts that allow for flexibility to commit to the public's current needs and interests. This endowment will provide for whatever needs the dean might encounter at that time,” says Stojkovic.

Executive Committee members for the comprehensive campaign announced at Tuesday’s event are: Daniel J. Bader, president, Helen Bader Foundation; Mark E. Brickman, CEO and chairman of the board, The Polachek Company, Inc.; David D. Buck, UWM professor emeritus, history, and president, the Buck Foundation; Ted D. Kellner, founding partner, chairman, CEO and portfolio manager, Fiduciary Management, Inc.; Mary Kellner, Kelben Foundation; David J. Lubar, president, Lubar & Company, Inc.; Jose A. Olivieri, partner, Michael Best & Friedrich; Jill G. Pelisek, BBA ’80, MA ’83, UWM Lawrence G. Regner Executive-in-Residence and adjunct professor, Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business; Mark P. Reinemann, BBA ’78, MBA ’80, president and COO, Jefferson Wells International; and Les Weil, director, Zink the Zebra Foundation.

Campaign Cabinet members include: John W. Daniels Jr., partner, Quarles & Brady; Ricardo D. Diaz, MA ’77, executive director, United Community Center; Suzy B. Ettinger, Ettinger Family Foundation; Roger Fitzsimonds, BBA ‘60, MBA ‘71, PhD (Honorary) ’89, chairman emeritus and retired CEO, Firstar; Beverly (Bev) L. Greenberg, BS ’68, vice president of community/government relations, Time Warner Cable; Margaret J. Henningsen, BA ’71, executive vice president and founder, Legacy Bank; Dennis J. Klein, Chairman, KBS Construction, Inc.; Allan J. Klotsche Jr., BBA ’87, MBA ’94, vice president and global die cut strategic account manager, Brady Corporation; and Ron V. Krizek, BBA ’69, president, The Krizek Group.

Other Campaign Cabinet members are: Jere D. McGaffey, retired partner, Foley & Lardner, LLP; Tim Nettesheim, BA ’78, Partner, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, SC; Mark W. Purnell, manager and founding principal, Purnell Wealth Management Group of Wachovia Securities; Peggy Sampson, BS ’86; Scott Sampson, managing partner, Sampson Investments; Avi A. Shaked, BS ’80, chief executive officer, Onward Technologies; Art Smith, president and CEO, Keystone Travel Services; Linda Stewart, president & CEO, North Milwaukee State Bank; and Nathaniel K. Zelazo, PhD (Honorary) ’86, chairman emeritus, Astronautics Corporation of America.

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