Sept. 3, 2026 9:15a
(WGTD)---Officials at UW-Parkside hope that three not-so-little letters will boost school pride and pay off in indirect benefits.
Sculpted, story-high letters in white—U-W-P—now stand in the circle in front of Parkside’s student center off of Wood Road. The display was paid for by donors.
Speaking on WGTD’s Morning Show, Chancellor Lynn Akey said the monument is more than a new landmark. "It's a reflection of identity. It's a reflection of pride," she said.
Akey said the sculpture is expected to serve as a backdrop for photos and thought as students mark milestones in their college journey.
When the final numbers are in, Parkside expects to see a nearly 15% increase in freshmen enrollment this fall, on top of an 8% increase last year. FTE enrollment, based on student credit hours, is expected to remain steady, according to a news release. Overall student headcount is expected to decrease slightly, driven primarily by lower international graduate student enrollment, the release said.
In addition to citing freshmen enrollment--the largest since 2019--Akey is also pleased with the school's new accelerated online learning program. Over 120 additional students were drawn in last year by the five undergraduate programs. Two more will be launched this year.
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