Making a Lasting Impact
Since 2019, Day of the Badger has united alumni and friends like you in celebration and support of the UW. And by coming together, Badger nation, you’ve proved what the power of collective giving can achieve. Thanks to your generosity, this party to pay it forward has advanced campus initiatives and fulfilled student dreams.
History of Day of the Badger
$6.7 million
Total amount raised
94%
Day of the Badger gifts under $1,000 (That’s collective giving in action!)
200+
Total matches created
517
Number of donors who have given during every Day of the Badger
23,000+
Total number of gifts made
70%+
Day of the Badger donors who are alumni
Stories of Support
Teaching Was Their Calling
Devoted Badger Jerome Koch ’75 created the Jean and Edna Lewis Teacher Education Scholarship in honor of his late wife and mother-in-law to carry on their legacy of sharing wisdom, courage, and empathy.
Day of the Badger at Work
See Day of the Badger gifts being put to work in the College of Letters & Science — from hands-on field work in Yellowstone National Park to computer programming clubs in elementary schools.
Finding Answers Out in the World
Thanks to Day of the Badger and other philanthropic support, students in the Summer Research Opportunity Program can get outside the classroom to tackle genome-enabled science experiences that’ll empower their futures.
School of Education: Impact 2030
This ambitious initiative is designed to dramatically strengthen the highly regarded School of Education. The school is already putting big ideas into action thanks to the support of generous alumni and friends.
Upham Woods: Up to the Challenge
Because of loyal donors and friends during Day of the Badger 2023, Upham Woods can now better accommodate visitors as they learn, laugh, and build community through outdoor experiences.
Forecasting Successful Student Experiences
With your help, the Space Science and Engineering Center — the birthplace of satellite meteorology — can continue its efforts to solve environmental problems and introduce students to the thrill of weather research.
Day of the Badger Gives CALS a “Strong Start”
Last year’s Day of the Badger helped CALS place eighth on the overall leaderboard, with money raised going toward its “strong start” initiatives that provide students with access to needed services, mentors, and areas of study.
The J-School Is Ready for This Year’s Party to Pay It Forward
Contributions to the J-School during Day of the Badger support the School of Journalism and Mass Communication Annual Fund and will have an immediate impact on a diverse array of initiatives across the school.Read More >
UW Law School: Changing What’s Possible
The generosity of donors makes it possible for UW Law School students like Clayton Goetz to focus on work that has purpose, meaning, and passion.
A Solution for Unpaid Internships
Internships can provide invaluable career development. What they often don’t provide is compensation. But thanks to passionate donors, the UW School of Human Ecology’s Unpaid Internship Program helps to offset the costs of working without pay.
First-Generation Student Spotlight: Mariana Ray-Hernández
Mariana Ray-Hernández x’24 is a first-generation, Mexican American student pursuing a degree in community and nonprofit leadership in the School of Human Ecology. It’s because of generous gifts that students like Mariana can pursue their dreams.
Human Ecology Alumni Tune in to Career Success
Through the generosity of donors to the School of Human Ecology, graduate students like Roxanne Etta ’14, MS’16, PhD’22 and Elizabeth Horgan MS’18, PhD’22 had access to incredible educational opportunities that led to even greater career opportunities.
Internships in Vietnam Become Unforgettable Experience
The School of Human Ecology’s holistic education opportunities, like internships in Vietnam to learn about and work on product and design marketing with Zó Project (which supports papermaking families), are possible in part thanks to the school’s thoughtful donors.
Persevering through Sisterhood: Meet PhD Student Prudence Yokonia
Prudence Yokonia knows that her life might have unfolded in many ways. But thanks to her journey in joining the School of Human Ecology, and the support of donors, she’s on the precipice of realizing her dreams.
MFA Student Veronica Pham Spotlights Vietnamese Papermaking
From completing fieldwork in Vietnam to presenting to peers at an international conference in Prague, Veronica Pham had an exciting year in 2023 thanks in part to the donor-supported funding she received to achieve these goals.
Department of African American Studies Is Excited for Day of the Badger
With a look back at last year’s accomplishments, the Department of African American Studies sets its focus on what’s still ahead to achieve.
The Impact of Physics Outreach
The Department of Physics and its tradition of outreach through its Wonders of Physics show, which has traveled to locations across Wisconsin and the world, is due in large part to the generosity of donors.