The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has received its
largest bequest to date – a $5 million estate gift from alumnus Byron R.
“Chris” Chrisman.
Chrisman, who received a B.S. in business in 1959,
previously donated $1.5 million in 2015 to help construct the Mary Poppe
Chrisman Success Center. This brings his total actual and pledged contributions
to more than $6.5 million – the most of any individual donor to the campus.
Since its founding more than 150 years ago, UW-Whitewater
has enrolled and championed students from diverse backgrounds. This mission of
access meant that Chrisman – who left school in the 9th grade to join the U.S.
Army during the Korean War – could later pursue a college degree. He went on to
have successful careers in accounting, law, and real estate.
“UW-Whitewater blessed me by admitting me, on probation,
because I did not have a high school education, and provided me with the
college education that made it possible to go on to law school and achieve
success. UW-Whitewater sort of ‘kick-started’ the engine, so to speak, and made
it possible for me to go above and beyond.”
The $5 million gift will be targeted to four endowment
funds: Student Success, Warhawk Emergency Fund, Rugby, and Wheelchair
Athletics.
Chrisman, who lives in Colorado, is the founding donor of
the Student Success Fund, which supports the university’s robust tutorial
services. Each year, thousands of students use the Mary Poppe Chrisman Success
Center at UW-Whitewater, named after Chris’s late wife, herself a Warhawk
alumna. The additional funds will be used to hire more tutors, purchase new
technology, improve accessibility, and enhance programming.
Recent graduate Mackenzie Kroplidowski worked as a tutor
and office manager at the center and said the experience “positively changed my
life forever.”
“Not only did I receive support academically but I gained
professional skills through working there such as communication skills,
leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and advocacy skills,” she said. “I
am proud of campus tutorial services and am grateful to anyone who believes in
what (the Chrisman Success Center) does and the positive impact it has on
students at UW-Whitewater.”
The Warhawk Emergency Fund helps low-income
students stay enrolled despite financial emergencies. Since the fund’s establishment
in 2017, 300 students have been awarded almost $250,000 to pay for housing,
auto repairs and transportation, medical/dental bills, utilities, childcare,
and a wide range of other emergency needs.
Every student who received a grant – 100 percent – was
retained from the fall to the spring semester. The impact on student success
and wellbeing is profound, said Professor Lauren Smith, who manages the
program.
“My colleagues and I have worked with so many students
who had no reliable place to stay, drove unsafe cars, had trouble affording
required field placements, were sometimes choosing between gas to get an
internship and food,” she said. “Student financial crises distract
students from their academic work, and the quick infusion of money
that the emergency fund provides allows them to get back on track before
academic issues snowball. To be able to support these students is a relief and
a joy for me.”
Two other areas that will receive money are the Rugby
Fund and Wheelchair Athletics Fund. Both are club sports with a
history of winning national championships. Because they are not intercollegiate
sports, the programs are more heavily reliant on private contributions. Funds
from the Chrisman gift will be used to recruit and retain student-athletes, pay
for travel, and develop spaces for practices and competitions.
“We have become rugby fans because of the Warhawk team
and know that they can use the support so that the players and their families
have to give less. We love attending games when we can,” Chrisman said.
“We also had the opportunity to watch some of the wheelchair basketball members
play, and we were amazed and fascinated at what they do.”
Chrisman is so committed to fostering success at his alma
mater, he hopes to be able to contribute even more.
“My estate is still growing and it is my hope that I will
be able to give more because I know that more is needed.”
