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
Bob DiLeonardi'81
English Composition & Psychology
Professor Tom McBride inspired me to appreciate the power of good writing. Thanks to his help I learned to write well, a skill that opened the doors to a variety of interesting opportunities over the years. I still use every day the basic writing and analysis skills I learned from Professor McBride 40 years ago.
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Jishnu Guha'13
Media Studies
Professor John Kaufmann’s infectious enthusiasm, passion, and commitment while directing me in several Beloit theater productions such as Kid Simple: A Radio Play In The Flesh and The Lady From The Sea. That is why I’m a filmmaker today.
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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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Charlie Baxter'14
Psychology
Professor Suzanne Cox had such faith in me as an individual: she wrote a strong recommendation that led to my Honors Term project even though my GPA was slightly under the 3.2 minimum required to apply. This act of grace allowed me to help establish a student leadership program at Beloit, and it launched my career in experiential learning.
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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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Harold Mayer'64
Economics
The day a freshman English paper was due, Professor Bernie Morrissey called on me to read mine in class. But I had been so busy with Homecoming, I only had a rough draft. Instead of putting me on the spot, he invited me to his office, where he spent two hours going over what I had written. And then he accepted it late.
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Bruce Bartleson'56
Geology
Dr. Hank Woodard, or “The Chief,” as he was fondly known, was truly inspirational to his students. He exhibited enthusiasm, integrity, a deep knowledge of his subject, and a rare combination of caring for students while maintaining respect and admiration. Many of his students went on to teach with “The Chief” as their model.
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Steven Soli'22
Biology
Coach Kevin Lerg came in for my senior year season for lacrosse as the third coach our senior class had while playing lacrosse at Beloit. He immediately brought the team together and established a culture while trusting myself and the other seniors to lead the team. He gave us the chance to meet with multiple recruits off the field and teach the young players how to play the game fluidly on the field. He is a man of few words but someone who knows what to say when. I looked up to him and want to emulate him as a person and aspiring physician.
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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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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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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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Jim Winter'97
Creative Writing
Professor Tom McBride taught me to think differently about the world. His approaches to sharing his vast knowledge with us were unorthodox but always entertaining. He challenged me to see the world differently and consider all perspectives. His unique combination of matter-of-factness and dry humor made learning from him all the more enjoyable.
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Laurence Pimentel'67
Government & English Composition
Dr. Feder inspired a lifelong interest in politics and American political history in me. Since graduating from Beloit in 1967, I have worked with many organizations dedicated to civil rights, public education, health care reform, and separation of church and state. Dr. Feder’s excellent lectures spurred me to read all I could about these issues and get involved!
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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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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.