WAA to celebrate retiring director’s career

The Wisconsin Alumni Association will celebrate the 40-year career of WAA’s Executive Director Gayle M. Langer at the Monona Terrace Convention Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17.

Alumni and friends of the university are invited to attend “Celebrate Success!” A reception featuring live jazz and following dinner will toast Langer’s 40 years of dedicated service to the university and its alumni.

The event also will honor the work of all those who implemented UW–Madison’s sesquicentennial and university relations programs. The evening will conclude with a surprise-filled salute to Langer, who will retire in January.

Chancellor David Ward and the UW Foundation have earmarked $45,000 to match gifts to the new WAA Student MERIT Scholarship Fund, which is meant to recognize Langer’s leadership, affection for the university and her creation in 1980 of the nationally recognized Wisconsin Alumni Student Board.

The MERIT fund’s mission is to advance specific WAA programs for mentoring students, engaging students in advocacy and community service, recruitment and diversity, intern scholarships and training of future alumni leaders.

Alumni and community contributions to the fund will be welcomed in lieu of retirement gifts for Langer. To make a donation, please mail your check, made out to “UW Foundation-WAA MERIT Fund,” to: Wisconsin Alumni Association, MERIT Fund, 650 North Lake St., Madison, WI 53706.

Place reservations for the “Celebrate Success” gala by Oct. 7. Cost: $65 per person. Vegetarian meals available. Business attire appropriate. More information and reservations: Jean Knitter, WAA, (608) 262-9589 or toll-free, (888) 947-2586; or e-mail: jeanknitter@badger.alumni.wisc.edu