MADISON, Wis.—University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross, Regent President Andrew S. Petersen, and Regents José Delgado and Becky Levzow joined UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt for a series of events at UW-Oshkosh today in the fifth stop of UW System’s All In Wisconsin tour, aimed at demonstrating the value the UW System brings to Wisconsin.
“The UW System needs to have ongoing conversations and form deeper relationships with businesses and communities,” President Cross said. “Partnerships with businesses offer real and invaluable opportunities for our students and for the citizens of Wisconsin. We need to hear from our partners what they need and what they would like from us, now and in the years ahead.”
The tour kicked off with a breakfast with community and business leaders including the Oshkosh Chamber, Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation, the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, and leaders and representatives from other corporations, enterprises, and local governments in the Fox Valley region.
At the breakfast, Regent President Petersen spoke about how business leaders can help the UW System build an economic ecosystem and promote student success by being tenacious advocates of higher education.
“I know the UW System is Wisconsin’s economic driver and the absolute best investment our taxpayers can make,” Regent President Petersen said. “Many of you have already developed strategic partnerships with UW-Oshkosh, but today I am asking all of you to join us, not just as partners, but as passionate advocates for the UW System.”
After breakfast, UW-Oshkosh held a panel discussion with students and alumni reflecting on internships, entrepreneurial efforts, and research collaborations. The panel highlighted how internships and projects led to career and business opportunities.
Chancellor Leavitt then led a tour of UW-Oshkosh’s Student Managed Endowment Fund (SMEF) Lab within the College of Business. This program is the first in the state of Wisconsin to provide a learning environment where students manage an institutional investment fund. Since 2000, over 350 students have participated in SMEF, which has funded more than $193,000 in student scholarships.
“The continued support from academic and community partners for the Student Managed Endowment Fund has enabled UW Oshkosh to continue to bring this high-impact learning opportunity to students,” Chancellor Leavitt said. “Its success reminds us what we can accomplish when business, the community, and the university come together.”
The final two events of the day included a forum with faculty and staff and a lunch with student leaders.
The All In Wisconsin tour is intended to demonstrate how the UW System meets the needs of Wisconsin and to generate additional ideas about how the System can continue to do so.
The next stop on the All In Wisconsin tour is UW-Stevens Point on October 30.
