Be All In
For over 175 years, Beloit College has transformed lives. The Be All In Campaign is our call to support the college for the next 175 years.
Why they are all in
Tori Key'03
Economics & Management
As director of the McNair Scholars Program, Associate Dean DeVon Wilson’90 was a fierce advocate for first-generation minority students like me to work through our self-doubt and go on to graduate studies, many as Ph.Ds.
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Katelynn Sinclair'20
Anthropology
My friends were incredibly supportive of me for all four years and beyond. I can’t imagine having anyone better in my life. I’m so happy that we’re still gathering and supporting each other, like at Megan Pollpeter Cullison and Alex Cullison’s wedding with Andy Rich, Lydia Travers, and me (all from the Class of 2020).
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Penelope Althoff'68
Geology & Anthropology
Dr. Hank Woodard was an exciting, in-depth, fun professor of geology from whom I learned so much and became a PhD geologist thanks to him. I’ve enjoyed a wonderful career in geological teaching and consulting in my own business.
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Ian Semple'61
Geology
During the many years of my post-Beloit life, the teachings of Dr. Hank Woodard, “The Chief,” are always remembered not just for the geological knowledge he taught, and the excitement of the learning he imparted, but also more importantly for those aspects of living that are vital to self and those around you, namely diligence, resourcefulness, hard work, teamwork, honesty, and respect for oneself and others in the face of adversity. These are all lessons within, but also well beyond, the boundaries of geology. The Chief has always remained one of my heroes in life.
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Oceana R. Gilliam'17
Russian & Political Science
Professor Donna Oliver supported me since my very first day at Beloit. As my Russian faculty advisor, she guided me through my Russian study abroad program, introduced me to the work of poet Alexander Pushkin, and mentored me as a Ronald E. McNair Research Scholar.
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Cecily Majerus'80
Government
Professor Milt Feder’s free-wheeling classroom discussions made you realize that, in life as in international relations, things are not black and white. They’re complicated, and often there’s no right or wrong. Yet no matter how intense the debate, he sprinkled in humor and showed respect for everybody’s opinion, quite eye-opening for someone fresh out of high school like me.
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Renee Murray'80
Spanish
Professor Milt Feder’s willingness to let his international studies students debate even the most controversial topics led to my “aha” moment and a life of social activism through writing.
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Audrey Grettie'99
Anthropology/Art History
Ian Nie, Tamara Hamlish, Nancy Krusko, Jo Ortel, and so many others made my Beloit experience special. I was a naive and sheltered suburban kid when I stepped onto Beloit’s campus in 1994. While I was there, I was introduced to ideas, art, cultures, and people from around the world. I was taught to think critically about world events, the human condition, and ethical issues. It has forever shaped how I move through my life.
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Jon Mason'80
Economics & International Relations
I hated studying German so much I was about to quit. Then Professor Bob Irrmann convinced me to tough it out so I could attend a seminar in Hamburg the next year. I did. And I not only became fluent in German, I stayed to work there, leading to a long career in international business.
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Maddie Ipsen'17
Psychology
Suzanne Cox and Kristin Bonnie were two of my professors in the psychology department. I don’t think I would be where I am in my career as a therapist without their guidance and support. They challenged me to improve as a student while supporting me each step of the way.
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Cam Murray'80
Chemistry
Dr. Phil Straffin’s willingness to block out an afternoon to tutor me on trigonometry allowed me to get into the chemistry program, which led to my career as a polymer chemist.
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Mike Knapton'97
Elementary Education
Professor Tom Warren introduced me to a plethora of educational tools to use inside the classroom to help engage students with all types of learning styles. He taught me that meeting their individual needs in the classroom was essential to effective learning. I have been a special education teacher for over 15 years. The experience and knowledge of the education department helped me with preparing to be a good educator.
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G. Robert Brakenridge'75
Geology
Professors Hank Woodard, Dick Stenstrom, and John Burger taught the courses I took and led the field trips. They worked together, they had high expectations, and they helped us live up to them. Then at graduation, when I had the opportunity to thank “The Chief,” Hank told me that it was all my own doing, my own hard work. Not true, but what great words to send a new grad off with!
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Tom Mullaney'61
Economics
In the fall of 1958, I was a transfer student to Beloit. Professor Les McAllister, as my advisor, was the first staff I met. Other than U.S. Economic History, I can’t remember any other economics courses I took my first semester, but eventually I took all of his. He gave me an interest in economics that continues to this day.
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David Eisenberg'77
Economics
Jerry Gustafson and Les McAllister were amazing professors and mentors. They encouraged their students to challenge themselves in economics and to capture the full breadth of a liberal arts education. Importantly, they both also encouraged leadership and engagement with the broader community as well. I still value their lessons today. (The attached photo is from my graduation, with Dr. Gustafson standing to my right.)
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Are you All In for Beloit?
Did becoming a Beloiter change your life?
Did you find your path, your soulmate, your direction, your purpose by being a Beloiter?
Was there one professor, advisor, or alum who went out of their way to see you succeed, or engage you in a transformative conversation you remember to this day?
Do you want to see Beloit thrive?
Then we invite you to Be All In for Beloit College right now.
Why now?
Over the past few years, Beloit has taken the bold step of strengthening its financial position while facing increasing competition for students and highly qualified professors.
The College paid down most of its debt and its leadership drafted the Beloit Action Plan, aimed at making the highly individualized education that sets Beloit apart even more relevant in today’s fast-changing world.
Beloit is now offering more intense student mentoring, a powerful program connecting college to careers, and bigger financial aid packages to help students and their families keep pace with today’s cost of higher education.
The Be All In Campaign
In February 2020, Beloit publicly launched its extraordinary fundraising campaign: Be All In to raise $54 million in unrestricted support over the next five years.
The response from alumni and friends, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extraordinary, indeed.
Your gifts to the campaign allow our students opportunities that will serve them for the rest of their lives—just like your Beloit experiences have served you.
What’s Included in the Be All In Campaign?
With your investment, Beloit will be here another 175 years.
The changes are paying off
The college has devised a strong five-year financial plan to address the headwinds. Enrollment growth will take several years, so in the meantime, we are asking our alumni and friends to join us in building the runway on which to taxi, until our numbers and net tuition revenue bounce back.
The great news? The plan is already working.
- We’ve received extensive national attention for our COVID response and success, and our happy and participatory students: we are a success story and still the same adventurous, resilient community as always
- Our retention rates have averaged 98% in the past two years, a sign of huge student satisfaction
- We were ranked #5 Most Innovative Colleges by USNews.
- Giving and engagement are growing.
But there is more to be done. For Beloit to fully implement its Action Plan, it must cover existing financial gaps until enrollment and net tuition revenue fully rebound.
We want the best and brightest to have access to the experiences that only Beloit provides. Today, more than 99 percent of Beloiters receive financial aid—nearly $30 million annually. This support is provided through the generosity of the college’s alumni, parents, and friends: Beloiters supporting Beloiters.
Beloit is the oldest continuously operating private college in Wisconsin and, with your investment, we will be here for the next 175 years.
We invite you to join us with your gift for this extraordinary campaign and Be All In for Beloit College.