The Board of Visitors is a group of alumni and friends who support, advise, and advocate for the Sociology Department. The Board is dedicated to promoting the long-term development of relationships with alumni and friends, and to building the resource base necessary to sustain the Department as a world leader in the social sciences. The Board may advise and assist with development and outreach efforts, help the Department expand career opportunities for students, keep the Department informed of best business practices, and serve as goodwill ambassadors for the Department. The photograph on the left shows members at the fall meeting of the Board in 2018.
At its October 9, 2020 Board of Visitors virtual meeting, new officers were elected to represent all UW-Madison Sociology alumni in advocating and supporting faculty, staff and students. The incumbents will serve three year terms. These UW-Madison Sociology alumni are: Beth Garrow, Chair (BA ’77); Wesley Sparkman, Vice Chair (BA ’96); and Lisa Youngers, Secretary (BA ’89). In addition, Martin Preizler, immediate past chair, was appointed to chair the newly formed Membership Committee.
Funseth, Abby
Position title: Ex-Officio Member of the Board
Email: abby.funseth@supportuw.org
Phone: (608) 405-0433
Gobourne, Kingsley
Position title: Member, Board of Visitors, Since 2018
Email: kingsleygobourne@gmail.com
McDowell, Vanessa
Position title: Member, Board of Visitors, Since 2021
Email: vmcdowell@ywcamadison.org
Preizler, Marty
Position title: Member, Board of Visitors, Since 2014, Former Board of Visitors Chair, Current Chair of Membership Committee
Email: map6686@uwalumni.com
Richter , Andrew
Position title: Member, Board of Visitors, Since 2012
Email: andrew.richter@aya.yale.edu
Sanchez, Laura
Position title: Member, Board of Visitors, Since 2019
Email: Sanchez.Laura.Ann@gmail.com
Sandefur, Gary
Position title: Member, Board of Visitors, Since 2022
Email: gary.sandefur@okstate.edu
Schwartz, Christine
Position title: Chair Ex-Officio Member, Board of Visitors
Email: cschwart@ssc.wisc.edu
Sparkman, Wesley
Position title: Vice Chair, Board of Visitors, Since 2020
Email: sparkman@countyofdane.com
Suemnicht, Caitlin
Position title: Member, Board of Visitors, Since 2021
Email: caitlin.suemnicht@gmail.com
Weirath , Thomas
Position title: Member, Board of Visitors, Since 2009 (Previous Chair)
Email: gored75@aol.com
Youngers, Lisa R.
Position title: Board Secretary, Board of Visitors, Since 2020
Email: lryoungers@gmail.com