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Founders' Day Celebration—January 31, 2025

Founders' Day  Day-of-Giving logo

Honoring the Past . . . Investing in the Future

This Founders’ Day—Friday, January 31, 2025—we invite you to honor our rich history while paving the way for future generations of Wayland students. Your gift supports transformative education, meaningful experiences, and a thriving campus community. Together, we can uphold the values and vision that have inspired Wayland students since our founding.

Wayland Academy traces its roots back to January 31, 1855, when the Wisconsin Legislature signed Wayland University’s charter, officially bringing the school to life. Although Francis Wayland himself was not directly involved with its establishment, his philosophy of fostering learning within an intimate, cohesive, small school atmosphere remains at the heart of everything we do. 170 years later, this commitment to individualized education and community-driven learning continues to define Wayland.

While our core values remain steadfast, Wayland Academy has evolved to meet the changing needs of our students and the world around us. Over the past five years, we’ve exponentially grown our enrollment, increasing our student population by nearly 50%. To meet the needs of our growing student body, we’ve built a brand-new dorm, expanded our athletic program, and completed major upgrades to the Janik Field House. We’ve also developed and advanced several new signature programs, including Environmental Science, Media Studies, STEAM, and Student Success. Additionally, the launch of our Summer Experience program has allowed more students to explore what Wayland has to offer. 

These achievements were made possible by the generosity of donors like you. Imagine what more we can accomplish with your continued support. By contributing on Founders’ Day, you help ensure that Wayland Academy remains a place where students can embrace new opportunities and carry forward the values that have defined us since 1855. Together, we can honor our past and shape a future full of possibility.

 

Any gift received between January 24 and February 7, 2025 will count towards the Founders’ Day: Day of Giving fundraising goals, unless otherwise noted.

Areas of Focus

Your support today ensures that the next generation of Wayland students will thrive tomorrow. It also means providing opportunities for our students that are dynamic and diverse. 

We invite you to invest in our future. Your gifts can make a lasting impact. Every gift counts!

Academics

two students in a science classroom in Discovery hall

Athletics

boys varsity soccer action on George Cobb field

Performing Arts

band students perform in Kimberly chapel, with flutist in foreground

Visual Arts

two female students working with clay on the wheels in the art studio

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Admission Ambassadors pose in the library for a group photo

STEAM

Mr. Donovan works with STEAM students on bridge building

Student Activities & Transportation

students attend a UW–Madison football game with Coach Schultz at Camp Randall Stadium

Student Wellness

students take a break on the Marsh

Unrestricted

Mr. Walters and students gather on the front lawn for Orientation games

Wayland offers a balance of traditional and modern approaches in our vision of educating students for their future, and not our past. Supporting Wayland helps ensure that that the changing needs of today’s student body are met with the best innovations.

Seth Ahlborn, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Innovation

If you would like to make a special gift in celebration of Wayland's Founders' Day day-of-giving,  please contact:

Amanda Zopp

Director of Alumni Engagement and Academy Fund