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On Tuesday, November 28, Blue Devils everywhere can unite and help transform �������� during our 5th Annual Giving Day.

Stout Gives Back is a day for alumni, friends, industry partners, employees and community members to celebrate their love and passion for Stout by giving back to areas that are especially meaningful.

Last year, more than 700 donors helped us exceed our goal of $150,000! This year, the Stout University Foundation has increased its goal, aiming to raise $250,000 in a single day.

�������� alumni and friends will have a chance to double their impact when giving to certain areas for which generous donors have stepped forward and challenge the Stout community to join them in supporting these funds of focus.

New This Year: Power Hour Challenges 

Each year Giving Day has featured matching gift challenges, and this year, we’ve added power hour challenges sponsored by Marilyn Krause Leccese (‘74), and her husband, Rick Leccese. Marilyn and Rick have been active champions of Stout Gives Back Day since its inception in 2019 contributing to departments or programs that are close to their hearts. This year, they couldn’t choose just one and are generously supporting four areas across campus. 

“We chose these funds because they spoke to us as opportunities to make a difference,” said Marilyn.

With Rick ��������. background in food service, he has “always been focused on and supportive of being well trained and ready to enter the industry,” and they have witnessed the ways that Stout ��������. Learning Environments are critical to that preparation.

Marilyn also shared that the Fostering Success program is “an opportunity for us to be a part of breaking a pattern and to give students a chance to be successful regardless of their background – that is special and gratifying.”

It has been 50 years since Marilyn Krause Leccese graduated from Stout. When she and Rick toured campus, she noted that “some things change, like dorm curfews at 6:00 p.m., things stay the same, like the light on the clock tower.” 

When asked why they continue to support Giving Day each year, Marilyn said, “We have been blessed. Why not share?” 

Watch the clock on November 28, and don’t miss out on these special hour-long challenges: 

• 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. – Student Emergency Fund | $2,500 Challenge 
• Noon – 1:00 p.m. – Learning Environments | $2,500 Challenge 
• 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Fostering Success | $2,500 Challenge 
• 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – StoutPromise Scholarships | $2,500 Challenge

More Ways to Maximize Your Impact

In addition to power hour challenges, the following Giving Day challenges last all day long. If you make a gift to an overlapping area, like the Student Emergency Fund, your donation will count for both challenges, so be sure to schedule your gift at the right time!

• Blue Devil Athletics | $32,500 Challenge

  Sponsored by a team of athletics alumni and friends, including Paul McNally, Craig Sandbulte ('98), Joe Pleshek ('91), Dale Evans ('73) and an anonymous donor.

• Automation Advancement fund | $25,000 Challenge

  Sponsored by OEM Fabricators, Inc. 

• StoutPromise Scholarship | $22,000 Challenge

  Sponsored by Stout University Foundation Board of Directors and Dave Rasmussen ('85).  

• Student Emergency Fund | $15,000 Challenge

  Sponsored by Chancellor Katherine Frank and her husband, Joe Dvorsky. 

• Learning Environments Fund | $10,000 Challenge

  Sponsored by Provost Glendali Rodriguez.  

• Study Abroad Scholarships Fund | $3,000 Challenge

  Sponsored by Professors Emeriti Robert Spinti ('54, '57) and Beverly Spinti ('54, '76).  

• Helping Hand Food + Pantry Fund | $1,500 Challenge 

  Sponsored by Professor Emeritus Phil McGuirk ('76), former Stout University Foundation Directors Dave Williams and Pat Reisinger ('61, '67). 

Donors can specify or make undesignated gifts. Hosted by the Foundation, donations can be made online or by check and addressed to:

Stout University Foundation
320 S. Broadway St.
Menomonie, WI 54751

Giving Day donors can share the hashtag #STOUTGIVESBACK to encourage others to give and follow social media sites for the university, Alumni Association and Athletics for posts on information prior to and throughout the event.