Roger Pulliam

Advancement Officer for Academic Support Services

Roger Pulliam likes to talk about connections.

For 20 years, as assistant vice chancellor for Academic Support Services, he helped young people, especially first-generation and multicultural students, build connections to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

"When you come to campus, you have the opportunities to excel if you take advantage of resources," he said. "I think a lot of times students need encouragement, just to let them know that they can do it.”

He retired in 2008 but quickly returned to campus to stay connected to those students, now alumni who are ready to give back.

"They just tell me how much they appreciated their own experiences and how they hope they will be in a position to do something for others," Pulliam said.

Some alumni gifts bear the names of parents and grandparents.

Pulliam understands the gratitude. He, too, was a first-generation college student who was raised in Gary, Ind., by aunts and uncles after his mother died when he was 10. He's grateful to his family, community, church and coaches.

"My work is an expression of thanks for the things people did for me when I came up," he said.