UW-Superior Alumni Association and UW-Superior Foundation join together

Having worked together for more than 75 years, the University of Wisconsin-Superior Alumni Association and UW-Superior Foundation have joined together to become the UW-Superior Alumni & Friends Foundation.

“We are excited to join forces and work collaboratively on events and engagement for alumni and friends,” said Linda M. Cadotte, Co-President of the Alumni & Friends Foundation. “The benefits of working together on these and other efforts, we believe, will provide superior opportunities for the university and students.”

Fueled by the belief that the two entities will be better together, the Alumni Association and Foundation unified on July 1, 2024, into one organization with a single Board of Directors. By joining together, and with the support of alumni and friends, the UW-Superior Alumni & Friends Foundation will continue to invest in the university, students, alumni, and the greater community.

“Those individuals who are volunteering their time to be directors are dedicated ambassadors for all things UW-Superior,” said Jeanne Thompson, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement & Executive Director of the Alumni & Friends Foundation. “Bringing in all directors, with their skill sets and experiences, to guide one unified Board will greatly enhance the conversations and actions that will ultimately benefit and create even more opportunities for the university, its students, and alumni.”

The UW-Superior Alumni & Friends Foundation is committed to honoring the past while recognizing and embracing the future. Its combined mission focuses on fostering lifelong pride and loyalty through alumni engagement, as well as securing, managing and stewarding philanthropic donations to support the university and its priorities. 

“Our new focus will provide us a wider, more inclusive scope,” said Oddi Hjellbakk, Co-President of the Alumni & Friends Foundation. “I think our friends of both organizations will greatly benefit from the added talents of the new, combined Board.”

The Alumni & Friends Foundation Board of Directors are:

Officers

• Co-Presidents: Linda Cadotte and Oddi Hjellbakk
• Immediate Past President: Jim Tomczak
• Secretary: Matt TenEyck
• Treasurer: Jim Tomczak

Committee Leadership

• Chair – Development: Deborah Olson
• Vice Chair – Development: Jeff Anderson
• Chair – Events: Meagan Avery
• Vice Chair – Events: Angie Kappes
• Chair – Finance: Jim Tomczak
• Vice Chair – Finance: Nick Trimner
• Chair – Governance: Stefan Fletcher
• Vice Chair – Governance: Kristin Ahlberg
• Chair – Outreach: Brent Opall
• Vice-Chair – Outreach: Tianna Day

Directors

• David Aslyn
• Aleda Bourassa
• Carl Crawford
• Jeremy Egnash
• Ike Eisenmann
• Doug Everson
• David Graichen
• Greg Grey
• Ariel Johnson
• Hal Mattson
• Terry Mattson
• Chad Matushak
• Diana McFadden
• Karl Morrin
• Chelsie Parrish
• Essie Rochman
• Avram Segall
• Dheenu Sivalingam
• N.R. Sumathi
• Dan Williams
• Ryan Yingling

Emeritus Directors

• Gary Banker
• Tom Fennessey
• John McNeil
• Ann Marie Novak

For questions regarding the new organization or how you can help, please contact:

Jeanne Thompson, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and Executive Director of the Alumni & Friends Foundation,jthomp51@uwsuper.edu or 715-394-8598.

Heather Thompson, Director of Alumni Relations and Associate Director of the Alumni & Friends Foundation, hthomps9@uwsuper.edu or 715-394-8593.