Madison, Wisconsin – Wisconsin is celebrating the 24th annual Wisconsin Private College Week,
July 27 to August 1, 2020, but with a twist. Wisconsin Private College Week is sometimes
referred to as a “road trip” for students and families to visit the 23 private, nonprofit colleges and
universities in Wisconsin. In an abundance of caution, and in light of the pandemic, this year’s
Private College Week will be “virtual.”
Wisconsin Private College Week is sponsored by the Wisconsin Association of Independent
Colleges and Universities (WAICU). Dr. Rolf Wegenke, WAICU President, explains that the
purpose of this year’s Wisconsin Private College Week is the same as in prior years, even though
the mechanics and format are changing. Wegenke explained, “regardless of the format,
Wisconsin’s private colleges are not themselves all the same, but they do hold certain
commitments in common:
*Increasing educational opportunity and valuing diversity; for the eighth year in a row, the
average out-of-pocket tuition (sticker price minus financial aid) has been at or under $5,500;
*Students attending Wisconsin private colleges have a 60 percent greater chance of graduating in
four years than they would at a public institution; this means students enter the workforce sooner
and graduate with less debt;
*Personal attention from faculty and staff is also emphasized; the average class size of these
colleges is just 16 students. These colleges embrace and respond to student interests, with over
470 majors; and
*Honoring what is good in the past, while empowering the students with the learning and
creativity needed for building a better future.”
Governor Tony Evers issued a proclamation regarding Wisconsin Private College Week in which
he said, “…private, nonprofit colleges and universities in Wisconsin emphasize creativity,
critical thinking skills, and a broad interdisciplinary approach to education that contributes to the
growth of leaders in our great state.”
During Wisconsin Private College Week, students and family members are invited to participate
in special online events available at each institution – including virtual tours, financial aid and
admissions sessions, faculty and student panels, programs about specific majors, and campus life
information. Students participating in the virtual event will be asked to complete a student
evaluation form to be entered to win a pair of Beats headphones. To learn more or to arrange a
campus visit, go to: wisconsinsprivatecolleges.org/visit
###
WAICU members include Alverno College, Bellin College, Beloit College, Cardinal Stritch
University, Carroll University, Carthage College, Concordia University Wisconsin, Edgewood
College, Herzing University, Lakeland University, Lawrence University, Marian University,
Marquette University, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design,
Milwaukee School of Engineering, Mount Mary University, Nashotah House, Northland
College, Ripon College, St. Norbert College, Viterbo University, and Wisconsin Lutheran
College.
About WAICU: Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU) was
founded in 1961 and is the official organization of Wisconsin’s 23 private nonprofit colleges and
universities and their more than 52,000 students. WAICU is dedicated to expanding educational
opportunity for students and is nationally recognized for his innovative programming to control
college costs and forge partnerships with employers to provide skilled graduates.
Leave a Reply