University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

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Kulwicki Family Establishes Trust Benefiting Engineering Education

On Thursday October 15, 2009, Paul Andrews of Paul Andrews Racing, the former crew chief for the late Alan Kulwicki, made an announcement on behalf of Alan’s stepmother Thelma Kulwicki.  Andrews announced the creation of the Thelma H. Kulwicki University Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, which will have a substantial impact on engineering education with gifts to University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) and University North Carolina Charlotte (UNCC).  Andrews spoke at an event held at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, NC honoring the Kulwicki Family and their gift to the two universities.  

Kulwicki graduated in 1977 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in mechanical engineering.  Like most of the students at UWM, Kulwicki was a native of Wisconsin, growing up in nearby Greenfield, WI.  Kulwicki was honored by UWM in 1992, receiving a distinguished alumnus award.   The trust will award the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s College of Engineering & Applied Science approximately $629,500 over the next 25 years.  The gift will be used to create the Alan Kulwicki Memorial Scholarship Fund to award generous scholarships to deserving engineering students with financial need.    The College will also use a part of the gift to create the Alan Kulwicki Memorial Student Center on the first floor of the engineering building.   A group of engineering student leaders is advising on the design of the space, which will provide meeting and work areas for engineering student organizations.   The space will also include a display of donated memorabilia on Alan Kulwicki’s life and legacy.  UWM will begin construction in December with plans for the Kulwicki Center to open in May 2010.  

“Alan Kulwicki, the most famous alumnus of our college, succeeded through his entrepreneurial, technical and leadership skills.   At UWM, we strive to impart those same qualities in our students today.    Alan’s legacy and his connection to UWM still resonates deeply with our students, “  says Dean Michael Lovell of UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science.

“Alan and the fact that he attended UWM has served as a real inspiration to me and my colleagues.”  Mitch Crawford, Current UWM engineering student and President of the student chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). 

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