Everything from the cheese club to UW-La Crosse athletics teams is taking part in year seven of “One Day,” beginning Tuesday across campus.
Lauren Wanders, UW-L’s strategic giving programs manager, was in studio to talk about the 24-hour event, which gives alumni, students, employees and community members a chance to support more than 200 campus causes.
One Day for UWL raised a record $622,000 last year, bringing the total raised over its first six years to more than $2.2 million. This year, the goal is 1,909 gifts — a nod to the university’s founding year. Reaching that number unlocks additional funding for the UWL Fund, which supports scholarships and the university’s greatest needs.
One Day for UWL runs from 9 a.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. To browse campus causes, find matching gifts and make a donation, visit the One Day for UWL website.
Conversation highlights:
A $62,000 challenge for UW-L football: A former player from the class of 1962 is challenging 62 people to donate to football. If they do, he’ll establish a $62,000 endowment for the program.
Which campus groups get creative? Wanders gives Murphy Library a shoutout for its fundraising videos and sidewalk chalk, and talks about the friendly competition between campus groups.
A first-time fundraising opportunity: The Health Science Interprofessional Research Center is participating in One Day for the first time. Wanders explains the community-based research and programming the center supports.
Students and community: Wanders explains how UW-L’s community-engaged learning program connects students with local businesses and civic organizations, giving students hands-on experience while helping community groups. Mid City Steel is offering a matching gift to support the program.
The competition goes beyond athletics: The gymnastics team has been successful at raising money, but last year the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences out-raised the College of Business Administration.
Pancakes at 2 a.m.? Wanders pitches a late-night pancake event as one possibility for getting students involved in future One Day celebrations.

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