Why We Give - Carlene and Byron (Chris) '59 Chrisman
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has received its largest bequest ever – a $5 million estate gift from alumnus Byron R. "Chris" Chrisman. The gift will be targeted to four endowment funds: Student Success, Warhawk Emergency Fund, Wheelchair Athletics and Rugby. He hopes this gift will inspire other alumni and friends of the university to contribute to these funds now and in the future.
Student Success Endowment Fund
Sustainable funding is critical for the free academic support services students have access to in the Mary Poppe Chrisman Student Success Center. Students receive academic assistance that is peer-driven and cooperative: students working with students. The activities this endowed fund allows include tutoring and supplemental instructors, professional development training for tutors, technology improvements, and other activities to expand the learning experiences and support initiatives for student success programs. The fund will allow the Mary Poppe Chrisman Student Success Center to set UW-Whitewater's academic support services apart from its peer institutions.
Warhawk Emergency Endowment Fund
This endowed fund is established to provide flexible general support of the UW-Whitewater Warhawk Emergency Fund program. Funds can be used for any purpose that will advance the mission of the program and/or the goal of fostering student success. These may include but are not limited to grants to low-income students and students without familial financial support to address an emergency situation that may prevent them from finishing school. The goal of the program is to retain and graduate students who are in good academic standing and who are experiencing a temporary crisis. Emergency grants may cover housing, car repairs, food, medical/dental needs, utilities, child care or other approved emergencies.
Warhawk Wheelchair Athletics Endowment Fund
This endowed fund was established to provide flexible general support of the UW-Whitewater Warhawk Wheelchair Athletics program. Funds can be used for any purpose that will advance the mission of the program and/or the goal of fostering student success. These may include but are not limited to; recruit and retain selected players, travel to various competitions, equipment, and develop designated practice/match space.
UW-Whitewater Rugby Endowment Fund
This endowment is intended to provide a sustainable stream of annual money in such a manner that both rugby teams may recruit and retain selected players, compensate coaching staff as needed, travel to various competitions, support any needed capital purchases, develop designated practice/match space, and generally provide for any financial needs that will enable the club to excel.