Home > Update > December 2006

Create the Future
Real Estate Campaign

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Real Estate program consistently ranks as one of the top three real estate programs nationwide, and is widely recognized for its rigorous curriculum, top students, outstanding faculty and extensive alumni network.

In December 2005, the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association launched a bold effort to raise $20 million over the next three to five years, including $10 million by the end of December 2006, to further enhance the program.

Realizing that success would require broad participation from real estate alumni and friends, two School of Business alumni, Bryant Wangard, BBA ‘77, MS ’79; and Mike Arneson, MS ’81; and other principals of TOLD Development; offered a generous challenge to rename the Center for Real Estate in honor of the late Professor James A. Graaskamp. Their gift of $1.7 million has spurred an unprecedented level of support from alumni and friends. Combined with earlier gifts, including an anonymous gift of $1 million and a $1 million gift from Chuck and Kathleen Heath, $8.6 million has been raised so far for the Create the Future Real Estate Campaign, including $5.6 million of the $6 million center-naming goal.

“I have been impressed with the way that real estate alumni have stepped up to take this outstanding program to even higher levels,” said Dean Michael Knetter.

Professor Timothy Riddiough, who is academic director of the Center for Real Estate, explained the many ways in which outside support makes a difference. “External support provides critical resources we need to remain competitive. It allows us to provide unique and essential educational opportunities for our students, such as international study tours, resources to undertake feasibility and development project analysis, and management of a $1 million portfolio of REIT stocks as part of the Applied Security Analysis Program. It allows us to provide cutting-edge professional and continuing education programs—an increasingly important component of what we do in this fast-changing business world—to Center members, alumni or other friends. These resources also allow us to build a professional staff to provide advising services to students and marketing/outreach to enhance the University of Wisconsin-Madison brand.”

Four committed alumni leaders, known fondly among the group as “the tribal elders,” are ably leading the Create the Future Real Estate Campaign: Jim Curtis, MS ’76; Jim Smith, BBA ‘75, MS ’77; Craig Manske, BBA ‘79, MS ’81; and Jim Haft, BBA ‘80, MS ‘82. “The goal is challenging, but achievable,” said Haft.

“I would not be where I am today without the influence of Jim Graaskamp in my life,” said Chuck Heath, BBA ‘81, MS ‘83. “Now is the time to formally connect his name with the UW Real Estate program forever.”

Alumni are also involved in a new Real Estate Program Advisory Council. The small, rotating group of experienced alumni and industry leaders will be on call to advise the Real Estate program on “big picture” strategy on a regular basis.

Professor Stephen Malpezzi, who chairs the Department of Real Estate and Urban Economics, explained the program’s ultimate goals this way: “We want to be a leader, not a follower, as the real estate industry and real estate education move forward.”

Those involved in the Create the Future Real Estate Campaign are confident that Real Estate alumni will continue to give generously and make it possible for the Real Estate program to reach those goals.