The College of Letters & Science has a relentlessly ambitious mission. It aims to provide a world-class education to the students in their classrooms, pursue innovative research that tackles some of humanity's greatest challenges and use their efforts to make Wisconsin — and the world — a better place. All of this is made possible through the generosity of donors who share this vision and recognize the value of the work required to make it happen. Forward-thinking philanthropic support from donors both large and small ensures that L&S will continue to inspire through instruction, service and research for decades to come.
Students and pedestrians walk along Bascom Hill near Bascom Hall between class periods during the first day of fall semester classes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Sept. 6, 2023. (Photo by Bryce Richter / UW–Madison)
As a vice president for the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, every day I see how this work in L&S changes lives. Scholarship funds open doors to a world of opportunities for students. Donors who support named professorships help recruit top talent to campus where they mentor the next generation gifted minds. Investments in research lead to breakthrough discoveries that directly impact people in our communities. And the combined power of public and private financing has made it possible for us to build toward an even brighter future with new, state-of-the-art campus buildings that will be transformational in the educational experience.
People are also reading…
At the start of the fall semester, Morgridge Hall will welcome its first class of students. The building will be the new home of the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS). As technology transforms each aspect of our lives, so too has the need for transformative ways of thinking, teaching and creating. The building is named after John and Tashia Morgridge, two alumni who saw the tremendous growth in CDIS and wanted to invest in its future. Meanwhile, just a few blocks away, a remarkable partnership between the state of Wisconsin and donors is helping build UW’s future hub for the humanities, Irving & Dorothy Levy Hall. Brothers Marv and Jeff Levy saw a need for a building like this and helped fund the project in their parents’ names. They both made donations and helped share the story of the incredible ways the building could be an asset for students, professors and the state. The cutting-edge facility will open next year. And these are just two examples of how incredible generosity will lead to generations of advancement here on campus.
While these investments from major donors are incredibly impactful, the heartbeat of philanthropy at L&S comes from regular donations of all sizes. When someone shows annual support to L&S, it sends a message that they believe that the Wisconsin Idea is at work and impacting our communities. This money directly benefits students through scholarships, research opportunities and new ways to pursue their dreams. These students then pay it forward by doing community service, joining the workforce, pursuing groundbreaking research or building businesses. If you are inspired by L&S and its mission-driven work, consider showing your support now or in the future.
—
About the Author
Steve Kean is a vice president and managing group leader at the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association. He leads a team of development professionals who represent the College of Letters & Science.
