The Chemistry Biology Building (CBB) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will be named in honor of an alumni couple in recognition of their significant contributions to the university.
Frank and Kathleen Haeni, 1970 graduates of UW-Stevens Point and longtime educators prior to their retirement, have supported students at their alma mater through four endowed scholarships in the College of Letters and Science (COLS) and the College of Natural Resources. They have also supported faculty-mentored undergraduate research, the COLS Undergraduate Research Symposium and the Olson Museum of Natural History. Their most recent commitment created an endowment to fund laboratory repairs and equipment purchases and maintenance for what will be the Haeni Chemistry Biology Building.
Previously the couple was honored with the naming of the CBB Haeni Lecture Hall in 2021.
“The Haenis have remained committed to education and student success throughout their careers as educators and in retirement in their support of UWSP students, programs and facilities,” said Chancellor Thomas Gibson. “Their gifts encourage growth and purpose for our students, as well as allow our faculty and staff to retain state-of-the-art classroom instruction and hands-on research opportunities that prepare students for professional careers in the sciences, health care, natural resources and education. We are so grateful for their generosity.”
“We thank the university for this great honor and are humbled by this generous gesture,” said the couple. “Our love for the university has grown exponentially since we started our educational journey. It is our hope and desire to continue paying it forward to future generations of Stevens Point students.”
The Haenis both earned degrees in biology from UWSP, then Frank earned a master’s degree in biology from Southern Connecticut State University in 1976 and Kathleen earned a master’s degree in education from Viterbo University in 1996.
Kathleen was a seventh and eighth grade science teacher for 24 years and Frank taught science education for 33 years. Now retired, the couple spend time maintaining their property in Crivitz, where Frank is a naturalist and woodworker. He donated more than a dozen wooden benches and tables to the university which he carved from an oak tree grown on campus.
The Haeni Chemistry Biology Building will be dedicated at a later date.