Name: Holly Hartung
Year: Senior
Major: Journalism and Communication Arts
What is the Student Foundation?
The Student Foundation is a new Student Organization on campus that aims to educate students about the importance of private support in funding their education. We hope to build appreciation for those who give back now as a way to encourage students to pay it forward when they are alumni. In short, we want to perpetuate the cycle of giving to keep our university great.
How did the idea of this organization come about?
My co-founder Seamus Fitzgerald and I interned for the UW Foundation during the summer in 2011. For his project, Seamus was tasked with researching student philanthropy programs at other universities. From his research he noted that UW was one of the only universities in the Big Ten without some sort of Student Foundation. We also both had a background in non-profits having worked as fundraisers for the UW Foundation our freshman and sophomore years. When we would tell our friends about our job, we were shocked to find that so few students knew the UW Foundation existed. Even fewer knew that almost 20 percent of their education is funding by private support. When Seamus asked me to join him in creating a Student Foundation, I was very excited to join him.
What’s your favorite part about being involved with the Student Foundation?
I love that I am a part of something that I truly care about. It’s not just about me or building my resume. I know what I am doing will benefit the university in the long run, which is really exciting.
What’s been the reaction from students so far?
Definitely a mixed reaction. Some are very receptive to our message and want to know more about what exactly private support pays for besides scholarships. They are especially shocked when they find out that the tuition they pay covers only 15 percent of the budget, which is less than what private support accounts for. Others seem to tune us out the moment they hear the word “budget.” We sort of expected that with college students, though. We know it will take some time to really change people’s minds so that they realize college is not about them. We want them to realize that their university’s reputation is in their hands, because UW-Madison certainly cannot function the way it does without those who give back. State support is not about to increase any time soon and tuition hikes can only cover so much.
How can people get involved?
Apply on our website www.studentfoundation.wisc.edu! (Our website is about to undergo a lot of changes, so look for exciting new content!)