UW-Whitewater launches $50 million campaign, more than halfway to goal
June 17, 2025
Written by Chris Lindeke | Photos by Blue Dorr Photography
Chancellor Corey A. King, Foundation President Katie Kuznacic, and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Foundation formally announced the university’s “Our Stories. Our Future.” fundraising campaign on June 12, 2025, at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium, home of the 2025 national champion Warhawk baseball team.
The campaign is the most ambitious in the university’s history, which spans more than 150 years.
“It is my hope that, through this campaign, we’ll continue to make UW-Whitewater stronger for another 155 years,” King said.
In a gathering of alums, faculty, staff, students, stakeholders, and community members, UW-Whitewater Foundation Board Chair Sandy Dunst announced the campaign is more than halfway to its minimum fundraising goal of $50 million. The foundation started working with university leadership in 2021 to establish the framework for the campaign, which will support scholarships, innovation, faculty development, and campus enhancement projects to ensure continued university excellence.
Pictured right: Chancellor Corey A. King addresses attendees at UW-Whitewater’s “Our Stories. Our Future” campaign launch on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium in Whitewater.
“Many of you in this room have given your time, resources and talents, and you do it every day because you love this great institution,” King said. “I ask you to continue to lean into your story and your journey as a part of the Warhawk family.”
John and Wendy Buckley are serving as co-chairs of the campaign along with honorary chairs Gaylon and Hannah Greenhill. Gaylon Greenhill served as Chancellor from 1991-99 as part of a 37-year professional career at the university, and John Buckley graduated from UW-Whitewater in 1982 with a BBA in accounting.
John Buckley, left, accompanied by his wife, Wendy Buckley, addresses attendees at UW-Whitewater’s “Our Stories. Our Future” campaign launch on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium in Whitewater. The Buckleys are serving as co-chairs of the campaign along with honorary chairs Gaylon and Hannah Greenhill.
“This is more than a campaign, this is about building the foundation for the future generations and for other people to write their own stories,” Buckley said.
Buckley outlined the campaign’s approach to build affinity groups — groups of people with shared experiences who are committed to the betterment of UW-Whitewater by supporting opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.
Examples of such groups could be a group of alums who live in a certain area, alums who studied the same major, or alums who were part of a sports team, club, or organization on campus.
“This campaign is about more than dollars — it’s about connection, legacy, and belief in what UW-Whitewater makes possible for generations to come,” Kuznacic said.
Each speaker celebrated UW-Whitewater’s recent successes, including the Symphonic Wind Ensemble’s performance at Carnegie Hall and, most recently, the baseball team’s third national title.
Attendees enjoyed baseball-themed snacks, appetizers and gift bags, and toured the baseball facility — widely recognized as one of the best in the nation — as part of the launch event.
The UW-Whitewater Foundation drives long-term university support through strategic engagement and impactful giving.
To learn more, visit the “Our Stories, Our Future.” campaign.
