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Edgewood College Honors Indigenous People’s Day
Edgewood College honored Indigenous People’s Day in a special way this October when it unveiled a Land Recognition statement. The statement honors our local First Nation, the Ho-Chunk, and the additional 11 Indigenous Nations of Wisconsin that have shaped our state’s history and our local community.
Representatives from the Ho-Chunk Nation, including Daniel Brown, Executive Manager of Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison; and Elliott Funmaker, leader of the Ho-Chunk Nation Drum Group Wisconsin Dells Singers, were highlights of the ceremony.
“This important event is an expression of our commitment to building an inclusive and diverse campus,” Tony Garcia, Executive Director of Diversity & Inclusion, said. “We are making a concerted effort to not only care for the land, but to work in partnership with the Ho-Chunk Nation to honor our community’s past.”
The 55-acre campus that Edgewood College shares is home to several effigy, conical, and linear mounds, created by native peoples several hundreds and perhaps thousands of years ago. The new statement appears – in both English and Ho-Chunk – on a plaque just outside the Predolin Humanities Center.
It reads, “We recognize the sacred land upon which Edgewood College exists. Our Dominican heritage, educational mission, and core values call us to be stewards of this land and the Native mounds located throughout our campus. We respectfully acknowledge our local First Nation, the Ho-Chunk, and the additional 11 Indigenous Nations of Wisconsin that have shaped our state’s history and our local community.”
Eagles, Coach Brewster Soar at NACC Championship
The Women’s Cross Country team captured the program’s second-ever Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Championship with a win at the league meet Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018 at Aurora University in Aurora, Ill. The Eagles, who totaled 54 points at the event, had to hold off Benedictine University (58) and host Aurora University (59) to win their first NACC title since the 2015 season.
The Eagles had three runners finish in the top 10, all three garnering All-NACC accolades on Saturday. Piper Atnip, a senior from Mt. Horeb, Wis., finished second in the race, Taylor Mair, a junior from Delavan, Wis. finished fifth, and Clara Berning, and sophomore from Sun Prairie, Wis. finished tenth.
The race was incredibly close at the top with the three schools (Edgewood College, Benedictine, Aurora) separated by just five points.
Eagles head coach Bethany Brewster (seen here with Ass’t Commissioner of NACC Josh Schroeder) was named NACC Coach of the Year after guiding them to the team title. Brewster was also Coach of the Year in 2015 after leading the Eagles to their first NACC title.
$7 Million Gift Will Make Lasting Impact
In August 2018, Edgewood College announced one of the largest gifts in our 90-year history: an estate gift commitment of $7,000,000. The funds will be applied to the College’s endowment. The gift is from a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous.
“An endowment gift is special because it represents a significant investment in the future,” President Scott Flanagan said. “This generous friend of the College will make a remarkable difference for the students whose education will be made more affordable–a difference that will extend to the families and communities of those students. This person’s humility, modesty, and selflessness is an example to all of us. We are truly grateful for the leadership this commitment conveys.”
Endowments are often established to support the ongoing operating expenses of an organization. They may be for designated purposes such as scholarships, projects, or programs. Endowments can offer organizational stability in that they can supply a guaranteed stream of financial support in perpetuity. This gift, in the form of an estate commitment, will be applied to the College’s endowment, a fund that is valued at $40 million as of 2018.
In the most recent measure, fully ninety-eight percent of incoming freshmen received financial aid in the form of scholarships and grants. At the same time, Edgewood College has maintained its place in the top twenty-five percent most affordable private colleges in the state of Wisconsin.
Alexander Announces Retirement
In November, just shy of 30 years with Edgewood College, Tim Alexander announced his retirement from the Women’s Soccer head coaching position. The announcement closes out a great career where Alexander wore many hats, and served hundreds of students.
Alexander came to Edgewood College in 1990 when he started the Men’s Soccer program. A few years later, he launched the Women’s Soccer team and coached both programs from 1993-2014. On September 18, 2013, he became just the 17th coach in NCAA history to reach 500 wins. He leaves the Eagles with 574 career victories, 331 with the women’s program and 243 with the men.
“Tim has been a fixture and gift for Edgewood College,” Al Brisack, Athletic Director, said. “Nearly three decades of student-athletes have benefited from his coaching abilities, his compassion and his mentorship. It was obvious to me the first time I met Tim that he truly loves Edgewood College and its students. He has been willing to help in any capacity, to make the school better and to provide opportunities for our students. Though the search for our next Women’s Soccer Coach will begin immediately, there is no way we will be able to replace Tim and the impact he has had on this community.”
Alexander guided the two programs to seven NCAA tournament appearances. The women’s team reached the NCAA Tournament three consecutive years from 1999-2001 and qualified again during the 2008 season. The men’s program added trips in 1999 and made back-to-back appearances in 2004 and 2005.
Alexander served Edgewood College in many other roles during his time, including a five-year stint as the head Baseball coach, and three years leading the men’s tennis team.
Congratulations, Coach!
Major Gift Creates Rouse Family Scholarship
Edgewood College is pleased to announce a gift of $500,000 that creates the Rouse Family Scholarship, named in honor of Al Rouse, a longtime staff member and colleague.
Fred Rouse, on behalf of his brothers and sister, said their older brother Al has a special place in his heart for Edgewood College.
“He dedicated a large part of his life to do the best he could for Edgewood College,” Fred Rouse said. “So many of his family attended and graduated from there. It’s a special place for Al, and his whole family.”
Al Rouse joined Edgewood College as College Business Officer in 1971. During his nearly 40 years of service, he worked closely with a total of five Presidents and was instrumental in navigating numerous peaks and valleys in the institution’s history. He retired in 2007, after the successful completion of Dominican Hall, the LEED®-certified residence hall on campus. He and his wife continue to make their home in DeForest, Wis. He’s seen here at the celebration of his retirement in December 2007.
“Al Rouse was one of the first people I met when I started my career at Edgewood College twenty years ago,” Scott Flanagan, President of Edgewood College, said. “I quickly learned what others already knew—that Al carries an exceptional passion for Edgewood College, that he can be relied on as a trusted advisor, and that he is a thoughtful colleague and friend. Al’s name is etched deeply in the Edgewood College story, and this investment in our students is a fitting tribute to Al’s many years of service and the impact the Rouse family has had—and will continue to have–on Edgewood College. We are grateful for the Rouse Family’s generosity and support.”
The Rouse Family Scholarship will be available to fulltime undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need in good academic standing at Edgewood College.
In the most recent measure, fully ninety-eight percent of incoming freshmen received financial aid in the form of scholarships and grants. At the same time, Edgewood College has maintained its place in the top twenty-five percent most affordable private colleges in the state of Wisconsin.
