Denny Waldera BBA '70

Denny Waldera receives the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to UW-Whitewater   

Written by Dave Fidlin | Photos submitted

Over the decades, Denny Waldera retained a sense of gratitude for the foundational experiences he received at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as a young adult.

But he’ll quickly point out that, after graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1970, UW-Whitewater was largely in his rearview mirror as he advanced into adulthood, established a career and began his family.

“I had no meaningful contact with Whitewater, other than an occasional $50 or a $100 response donation to an email that was being sent out to the alumni,” Waldera said.

That all changed in 2020, when he felt a nudge to get back in touch with his roots as he thought about some of the people who had a sizable impact on his formative years. Elmer G. Redford, a physics professor, was among those influential people.    

“I just called Whitewater, and I said, ‘I want to talk to the foundation president,’” Waldera said of the first step, born of a desire to honor Redford, that reconnected him to the campus. 

Today, Waldera has deep ties to the UW-Whitewater Foundation, serving on its board of directors, chairing its Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Committee and having a seat on its Executive Committee. He gives of his time to the foundation in numerous ways, from pitching in at events to helping make sure alums are welcomed. 

This spring, Waldera is receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to UW-Whitewater. The recognition is presented to a UW-Whitewater graduate, in recognition of outstanding support in the development of the university, its goals and mission and university affairs. 

Waldera’s current influence on the UW-Whitewater campus has extended beyond the foundation itself through numerous gestures. He funded the Dr. Elmer G. Redford ’59 Lab within the Mary Poppe Chrisman Success Center on the UW-Whitewater campus in honor of his mentor, who passed away in 2021.

Additionally, Waldera is a major donor to the Warhawks Give Fund, King/Chávez Scholars Program, Muren Family Scholarship and Elmer Redford Faculty Service Award, among others. He also is a brother of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and actively supports current members in maintaining their house. 

Waldera earned a dual Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern University in 1973, and then carved out a distinguished career in strategic marketing, at Procter & Gamble and then in consulting companies he helped found and lead, before retiring in 2001. 

Seeing the big picture more fully in his retirement years, Waldera said it has been a pleasure to give back to a place where many of his foundational experiences started.

“To some degree, I’m trying to catch up, but I wouldn’t do that if I weren’t comfortable with what the school is achieving, and they’re doing good things,” he said.

Having lost his father as a child, Waldera’s mother played a pivotal role in his adolescence, as did role models such as Redford, who Waldera knew prior to arriving at UW-Whitewater. 

Waldera and Redford’s relationship actually began when Waldera was in the eighth grade, attending a West Allis junior high school. At the time, Redford was a part of the school faculty and was Waldera’s homeroom, math and science teacher. Over the years, Waldera said he kept in touch with Redford because of the profound impact the mentor had on his life.

The realization of the role older adults can have on students charting their course is a part of the reason Waldera said he desires to give back to UW-Whitewater.

“Whitewater is committed to student success,” Waldera said. “As we admit students, we take on an obligation to help them get through the challenges we know they’re going to face. Year one may be the most critical, which is why the orientation sessions and  guidance sessions have all become more diversified and important.”

Today, Waldera has advice to other UW-Whitewater alums who might consider reconnecting.

“First of all, I say ‘reflect.’ Take the time to think back,” Waldera said. “When you get some quality time, reflect on your time at Whitewater. You will remember some professors, some organizations, some friends who you now realize X years after the fact made a difference in your career track, and helped you to get where you are.”

The second step, from Waldera’s vantage point, is to do what he describes as “re-engaging” — taking a deeper dive into the current status of the university.

“Go to the school’s website, find friends who were your classmates there and learn a little bit more about what the school is now doing, its success track record, who’s still around that you know, and what’s going on.”

The final step in the process, he said, is “the response phase” that entails a possible call to action.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean making a donation, because there are many other ways you can get back involved that are just as meaningful,” he said. “But in terms of financial contributions, there’s nothing too small. Every single dollar makes a difference in how many more students we can help succeed.”

Waldera has one son, Andrew, who is an attorney and senior partner at Sawtooth Law in Boise, Idaho. In different ways, the mentorship Waldera received as a child and young adult has been passed forward through his role as a father, as well as his volunteer pursuits. 

“I believe in providing support wherever it’s deserved, and I also believe Whitewater is doing an outstanding job, thanks to a faculty and staff genuinely committed to student success,” Waldera said. “That commitment is what keeps me engaged and supportive of the university.”