Record attendance at Summit Fest – Summit Credit Union’s annual meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2023

Media Contact:
Jason Waller
(608) 243-5000
publicrelations@summitcreditunion.com 

Record attendance at Summit Fest – Summit Credit Union’s annual meeting 
Wisconsin Cooperative celebrates members and announces big wins at annual meeting and member picnic   

MADISON, Wis. – Summit Credit Union again held a novel annual membership meeting and family event called Summit Fest, welcoming 3505 members on Sunday, May 22. This is the largest attendance recorded for Summit’s annual member appreciation event. Members and their families took part in kids’ obstacle races, enjoyed yard games, and spent a fun time together eating a Wisconsin summer cookout.  

“We grow when we add value to our members and this annual event is an opportunity to both celebrate our achievements and show our members how much we appreciate them,” said Summit Credit Union CEO & President Kim Sponem. “This year, we have seen a large growth in assets, the largest acquisition of a bank by a credit union in US history, and we are in the Top Workplaces for Madison, Milwaukee and the USA. There’s a lot for our employees and our members to celebrate.”  

The celebration offered a short business meeting and family-friendly entertainment at the local baseball stadium, The Duck Pond, Mallard’s Stadium at Warner Park, Madison. Attractions at Summit Fest also included a diaper dash for toddlers, free mini cupcakes with the chance to win $10 to pay-it-forward, and the return of an employee-led cover band playing songs by an array of artists from The Blues Brothers to Taylor Swift to Queen.

Annual board meeting 

During the board meeting, Summit Credit Union’s 2022 successes were noted and included the following:  

• The acquisition of Commerce State Bank. This is the largest acquisition of a bank by a credit union in US history. With this acquisition we welcomed 71 employees, more than 5,700 new members and added four locations — West Bend, Elm Grove, Sheboygan, and Cedarburg.  
• Summit Credit Union saw a 29 percent growth in assets to more than $6.4 billion.  
• More than 43,000 new loans were secured for cars, homes, vacations, and other members’ goals.  
• Kiplinger and Investopedia reported Summit Credit Union’s 3-year certificate rate among the top in the nation.  
• Summit Credit Union was named a Top Workplace in Madison, Milwaukee, and the USA.  

About Summit Credit Union  

Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative. Summit holds $6.4 billion in assets and has more than 240,000 members and 945 employees across 55 locations throughout south-central and southeastern Wisconsin. Since 2002, Kim Sponem has been CEO & President of Summit Credit Union, formerly known as CUNA Credit Union/Great Wisconsin Credit Union. Recognized for its excellence in employee engagement, Summit was named a Top Workplace in the USA in 2021, 2022 and 2023 by Top Workplaces USA and a Top Workplace in the Madison area for 2021, 2022 and 2023 by the Wisconsin State Journal.  

For more information, visit www.summitcreditunion.com or call 608-243-5000 or 800-236-5560. For additional media information, visit https://www.summitcreditunion.com/about-summit/press-room or follow Summit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

We have a winner of the 2023 Summit Credit Union Project Teen Money program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Jason Waller
Public Relations and Communications Manager
(608) 243-5000 ext. 6862
publicrelations@summitcreditunion.com  

We have a winner of the 2023 Summit Credit Union Project Teen Money program
Cooper Smith from East High School, Madison, wins a $3,000 continuing education scholarship. All 10 finalists receive at least $500 continuing education scholarships

Madison, Wisc. – The votes are in. Cooper Smith from Madison’s East High School is this year’s Summit Credit Union Project Teen Money winner.  

Summit Credit Union’s Project Teen Money is a unique challenge to help young adults achieve financial success – not just the participants, but also their friends and families who viewed their videos. 10 students from Madison’s East, La Follette, Memorial and West high schools were selected as finalists to compete for top scholarships. 

This year, the applicants submitted a short video addressing this question: What are three tips you’d give to other teens to help them protect their money from scams? 

The winning advice from Cooper was to change your passwords frequently and make sure they are strong and complex, don’t share sensitive or personal information over email or the phone, and always call your financial institution to verify they are contacting you. You can watch it here. 

“Congratulations to Cooper and all the Project Teen Money finalists,” said Summit Credit Union CEO and President, Kim Sponem. “What I love about this program is that teens are teaching teens about financial wellness. There was a lot of great advice, all presented in creative ways. Hopefully, everyone who watched these videos learned some tips to keep their finances safer.” 

How does Project Teen Money work? 

Using points-based scoring criteria, 10 finalists were chosen and featured on the Summit Credit Union Project Teen Money web page. Then the public voted for their favorite. All 10 will now receive scholarship money with $3,000 going to the winner, $2,000 to second place, and $1,000 to third. Fourth and fifth placed will receive $750 and all remaining runners-up will receive $500. 

This program is one of many ways Summit Credit Union champions financial wellness. 

Background information on Summit Credit Union 

Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative. Summit holds $6.4 billion in assets and has more than 240,000 members and 945 employees across 55 locations throughout south-central and southeastern Wisconsin. Since 2002, Kim Sponem has been CEO & President of Summit Credit Union, formerly known as CUNA Credit Union/Great Wisconsin Credit Union.

Recognized for its excellence in employee engagement, Summit was named a Top Workplace in the USA in 2021, 2022 and 2023 by Top Workplaces USA and a Top Workplace in the Madison area for 2021, 2022 and 2023 by the Wisconsin State Journal.  

For more information, visit www.summitcreditunion.com or call 608-243-5000 or 800-236-5560. For additional media information, visit https://www.summitcreditunion.com/about-summit/press-room or follow Summit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

WPS Health Insurance adds 1,845 mental health care providers to its networks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Insurance adds 1,845 mental health care providers to its networks

MADISON, Wis.—May 15, 2023—WPS Health Insurance answers the call for mental health care providers in response to growing needs. In 2022, it added 1,037 mental health providers to its networks; in 2023, it has added an additional 808 so far for a total of 8,022. These numbers are in addition to the mental health care practitioners available through Teladoc^® telehealth services. Included in these numbers are all types of mental health care providers, from therapists and alcohol and other drug abuse counselors to midlevel nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and psychiatrists.

WPS reports show the need for mental health services peaked in 2021 but remains high. From 2020 to 2021, WPS received 11% more claims for mental health services, a 23% increase in total charges for mental health services and a 15% increase in total customers getting mental health services.  

“WPS has focused on growing our mental health networks by seeking out providers with cultural competency to treat customers who have historically been underserved. We know that we need to offer not only enough providers but also a diverse provider population to meet the needs of our communities,” Heather Oliva, WPS Senior Director of Provider Contracting and Strategy, said.

Oliva added, “WPS takes into consideration the complexity and variety of customer needs. To effectively meet these needs, we are always evaluating whether we have the right mix of providers, including substance abuse practitioners and other types of counselors. WPS further focuses on recruiting providers with the knowledge, expertise, and lived experience to best serve underrepresented and underserved communities, including, but not limited to, people who are LGBTQ+, have limited English proficiency, or are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Hiring culturally and linguistically competent providers coupled with establishing trust leads to better health outcomes, thus making health care easier for the people we serve.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness each year, and more than 50% will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime. A Kaiser Family Foundation brief, “The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use,” found 50% of young adults (ages 18–24) reported anxiety and depression symptoms in 2023, making them more likely than older adults to experience mental health symptoms. 

About WPS Health Insurance

As one of the largest health benefits providers in the state, Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Insurance) remains not-for-profit and offers high-quality health plans to the public and private sectors. Headquartered in Madison, Wis., WPS Health Insurance offers Preferred Provider Organization health plans for individuals and groups, third-party administrator services, and Medicare supplement insurance plans. Visit wpshealth.com for more information. 

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UW–Madison Division of the Arts Name Artivism Student Action Program Spring 2023 Recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 4, 2023

Contact: Kate Lochner, UW–Madison Division of the Arts Marketing and Communications Manager, krlochner@wisc.edu 

Website: go.wisc.edu/UWASAP

Release Link: ​​ https://artsdivision.wisc.edu/2023/05/04/asap-spring-2023-update/

Media Kit: https://uwmadison.box.com/s/7kgv24z7689c4h5ol0a2511pxc4hrp60

UW–Madison Division of the Arts Name Artivism Student Action Program Spring 2023 Recipients

Madison, Wis. – The Division of the Arts is thrilled to announce the Spring 2023 Artivism Student Action Program (ASAP) funding recipients. Founded in 2021 and available to UW–Madison students in any year or major of study, ASAP supports projects or collective actions that use the arts as a force for social change.

“ASAP is a vital resource to students, now more than ever. Out of necessity, our students of color are creating spaces where new futures and future leaders are shaped – a space where they establish new roots, a space where they belong.” says Chris Walker, Division of the Arts Director. “Belonging goes beyond inclusion to mean that individuals feel grounded, valued and involved in shaping their communities, as well as empowered to express their needs and receive care. There is something magical about knowing that you are participating in shaping a future that is going to be better for those who come after you.” He continues, “ASAP plays just a small part in removing barriers to event and programming facilitation, and addressing the unique needs of this generation of students.”

Projects received a total of $4,000 in funding in the spring semester, including: a community-building arts performance celebrating underrepresented communities on campus; two literary publications; and a creative writing workshop series for youth in local juvenile detention centers. A total of $12,200 was awarded through ASAP during the 2022-23 academic year.

“The Artivism Student Action Program review committee and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of ASAP recipients’ collective hard work and dedication as we continue to foster arts engagement and activism on campus,” said Nicholas Santas, a 2023 Master of Arts – Business in Creative Enterprise Leadership student and Division of the Arts Graduate Assistant. 

Please join the Division of the Arts in congratulating the third cohort of ASAP award recipients. The following funded projects exemplify the breadth and creativity of art and activism that ASAP continues to support.

“Formless: An Artivism Concert” | Madelyn Vilker in partnership with the Social Justice Hub and Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee

Now in its second year, “Formless” exemplifies the intersections of art and activism by supporting underrepresented identities and giving them a space to perform. The March 2023 showcase included spoken word, dancers, musicians, designers and artists of other mediums to foster community-building through art.

“Let It Burn” | Diya Abbas

In collaboration with the Madison Public Library’s Teen Bubbler Program, this project presents a series of writing workshops for middle and high school students in local juvenile detention centers, using creative writing and poetry as a therapeutic tool they can carry with them throughout their lives. 

“Madison Journal of Literary Criticism, Spring 2023 edition” | Ria Dhingra for Madison Journal of Literary Criticism 

The theme of this issue of the “Madison Journal of Literary Criticism” is “Renaissance.” As an abolitionist effort, the publication aims to inspire and encourage readers to use art as the creative basis to reimagine and re-invent institutions of harm.

“The Issue 002” | Robyn George for The Issue

“The Issue,”a student-run organization and publication on the UW–Madison campus covering style, arts, culture and current events, presents their second issue, “Land Acknowledgement,” in collaboration with a number of Indigenous student artists and student organizations to advance more inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible community practices on campus.

The 2022-23 ASAP funding is made possible by the generous support of the Evjue Foundation, the charitable arm of “The Capital Times” newspaper. For more information on the program, email asap@arts.wisc.edu or visit go.wisc.edu/UWASAP.

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Study confirms Overture Center’s significant impact on the local economy

Madison, Wis. (May 3, 2023) — An economic and fiscal impact analysis by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC) reports Overture Center for the Arts contributed $34,480,000 to the Madison economy during its 2021/22 season, September 2021 through June 2022. Overture engaged in the economic impact study to establish a post-pandemic baseline for its activities.

“The analysis provides a baseline for us coming out of the pandemic,” said Chief Development and Communications Officer Emily Gruenewald. “Prior to our 18-month closure, Overture provided nearly 700,000 artistic experiences annually. In our first season open post-pandemic, Overture ramped up operations over a 9-month period, resulting in 288,150 artistic experiences. We felt it was important to conduct an economic survey during this limited season to track the recovery of the arts industry over the next few years. The last time Overture conducted an economic impact study was back in 2010, and it found the center contributed $28.1 million to the Madison economy. It’s encouraging to see that even in this reduced season Overture’s economic impact has grown to support our community. As we continue to reintroduce more programming in the 2022/23 season, we are seeing stronger attendance and participation, resulting in an even larger economic impact going forward.”

Overture Center’s economic impact comprises four categories of direct spending and the impact of each category. The direct spending comes from the cost of producing and running shows and events, the cost of maintenance and renovations, and ancillary purchases made by Madison tourists. The money that was directly spent in these four categories was then re-spent in multiple subsequent rounds. These subsequent rounds of spending are categorized as “indirect” spending. The sum of the direct and indirect rounds of spending is what constitutes Overture Center’s full economic impact on the Madison economy.

The direct spending was divided up into four distinct categories:

• Broadway: $2.52 million
• Resident Events: $2.50 million
• Non-Resident and Local Events: $680,000
• Operations: $28.80 million

“The importance of Overture Center to the economic health, vibrancy and overall vitality of downtown Madison cannot be overstated,” said Jason Ilstrup, Downtown Madison Inc. “Nearly every day, Overture Center welcomes thousands of guests to entertain, enlighten and wow, helping create an energy, spirit and sense of community downtown. Overture Center is at the heart of a successful downtown Madison now and into the future.”

Additional highlights from the 2021/22 study include:

• Ancillary spending by Overture Center visitors totaled $6,300,000.
• Nearly 53% of attendees were people who live outside the Madison area.
• Ninety-three percent of attendees from outside of Dane County said that attending a show/event at Overture Center was a “very important” factor in their decision to come to Madison.
• Overture Center visitors rented around 7,000 total hotel rooms and their annual hotel spending exceeds $1,000,000.
• Overture Center operations and events also resulted in visitor spending of $4.6 million at local restaurants, primarily located in downtown Madison.