John Brunnquell, WALSAA President

The school year is in full swing, and your alumni committee chairs are busy, busy, busy. This year I have charged the committee chairs with a committee specific overall goal to advance the organization, in addition to their routine activities. I am very pleased with how all have embraced this extra ask. Specific to myself and the executive team, we are working on a time, talents, treasure data base. Our alumni have immense talent, connections, skills, etc. and when called upon, you always rise to the occasion. The issue is, historically this has taken an ad hoc approach. An opportunity presents itself and we brainstorm about potential alumni who might be able to assist. Our goal is to bring more process to the table. An example is, we, as alumni, do not have a coordinated way to support the college when the state is going through annual budget issues that can impact the college. Yet we have several alumni who have great relationships with the other end of State Street. Our goal is to build a database over time so we can call upon alumni on specific objectives.

Separately, I would like to recognize David Cooper who chairs the scholarship committee. They are actively sorting through a record level of applicants for the Outstanding Sophomore and Outstanding Senior Awards. I had the privilege of being involved in this process and have been very impressed with the thoughtfulness and many hours of volunteer time that goes into the selection of these very worthy candidates and our future members.

On Wisconsin! 

John Brunnquell (B.S. 1985)