By almost any measure, the Winingers are a UConn family. Twins William and Michael graduated in 2004. And their older brother, Matthew Wininger, who graduated from UConn in 2000, has become an active young alumni donor and advocate for the University’s actuarial science program.

“The reason I give back is that when I was a student, I received an actuarial science scholarship,” Wininger says. “Truthfully, it didn’t make or break my decision to attend UConn, but it gave me the opportunity to determine whether becoming an actuary was the right career for me. It absolutely was.”

Wininger says he found the UConn program, part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, to be exceptionally good in offering both classroom and experiential learning.

“The summer work I received through internships helped to build my future,” he says. “Being at UConn allowed me to shape a math career that fit me well. I could have gone to other universities, but upon graduating I would have been at a big disadvantage in a program that did not also feature a strong business leadership component. And in the Hartford area, there are tremendous opportunities in actuarial science because of UConn’s proximity.”

Today, Wininger gives back to support the actuarial science program.

“Looking back at everything I received from UConn, I felt it was important to support current students,” he says, “just as I was supported by the companies and alumni who contributed to the scholarship fund in the 1990s. For me, supporting UConn goes beyond financial support and rooting for the Huskies. I would say to any alumni, ‘UConn helped mold you into the person you’ve become. How can you have a similar impact on the University?’”

Wininger increases his financial support each year, and is actively seeking ways to help support the actuarial science program by assisting with community outreach and other efforts. He speaks to local high schools about career opportunities as an actuary; and this has proven to be a fruitful endeavor, as a number of students who heard his presentation have gone on to study actuarial science at UConn and other schools.

Wininger says the ultimate success of UConn through these new students benefits him both personally and professionally.

“I’d like to actively participate in the actuarial science program and help ensure it continues to prepare graduates for challenging careers,” he says. “I’ve recruited students from UConn over the years and know what I’m getting when I hire a UConn alum. Their business experience and financial acumen gives them a running start compared with graduates from other actuarial science programs. The UConn experience is simply more in-depth and relevant. Through my giving I’d like to keep it that way.”

For more information about supporting the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please contact the UConn Foundation’s development department.