Making a difference through planned giving
ENVISION Magazine, 2005
UW-Whitewater also left a lasting impression on Ross Kinzler. So much so that the 1971 graduate of the College of Letters and Sciences recently decided to make a planned gift to the college and the university.
“I had a good experience at UW-Whitewater, one that ultimately led to my career,” Kinzler said.
A commuter student from nearby Jefferson, Kinzler’s goal was to graduate with no student debt. He was able to do so by working two jobs – milking cows in Helenville in the mornings and working at the Prestige Furniture store in Fort Atkinson.
“I focused on working and getting through my classes,” Kinzler said.
A double major in political science and broadcast journalism, Kinzler spent his last semester working as an intern in Gov. Patrick J. Lucey’s press office.
“Everyday, I made coffee for the press corps,” said Kinzler, “and at the end of each day I wrote a paper for the governor summarizing what all of the newspapers in the state said about our office.”
Not only was Kinzler’s experience in the press office an excellent learning experience, but it also resulted in a job offer.
Currently the executive director of the Wisconsin Housing Alliance, a statewide association representing the manufactured and modular housing industries, Kinzler serves as the chief spokesperson for the industry and as a lobbyist. The Kinzlers currently reside in Madison.
For more information on how to make UW-Whitewater a part of your planned giving, contact Kate Loftus at (262) 472-1622 or loftusk@uww.edu – Melissa DiMotto