WISCONSIN CAMPAIGN A REPORT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION FALL 2004 insights Fit to print Publisher’s estate gives Law School biggest gift All together now Posses provide support that leads to success Campaign experts Center for Study of Politics charts races like no one else Overview Message from the president BOB RASHID Sandy Wilcox Happy New Year! We are, of course, a few those first thrilling rhythms from the marching months away from the traditional January holi- band’s drum line can make you start clapping day, but here on the University of Wisconsin- to the beat. It’s a great time to be a Badger. Madison campus, September marks the start of We are now at roughly the midpoint of the another year—the 155th—of learning, teaching, seven-year Create the Future: The Wisconsin research and outreach. The most obvious sign of Campaign. It is, quite frankly, the most challeng- this new beginning is the street-clogging mass of ing time. The $1.2 billion raised so far is the vehicles caused by students moving into their result of an extraordinary team effort. Volunteers dorms and apartments. Less tangible but more from literally around the world have worked powerful and infectious is the spirit that takes hand in hand with Foundation development staff over and touches everyone, no matter how many to bring the $1.5 billion goal within sight. These times we have experienced it. The promise of past months have been rewarding and inspiring. possibility is everywhere. We are sincerely grateful to all of you who have Welcoming approximately 5,000 talented, brought us to this point. We are counting on you eager freshmen certainly ignites the excitement. to be with us for the campaign celebration in Many of our faculty and research staff have the fall of 2006. returned from field study around the world This autumn is especially important as we bringing back first-hand observations and experi- continue on toward a successful campaign con- ences to share. Updated and new facilities like clusion. It is a time when the promise of possibil- the technologically sophisticated and architec- ity is strongest and most compelling because the turally stunning Health Sciences Learning Center results of our combined efforts literally surround will greet their first classes. Returnees are assess- us. These are the days we dare to believe that all ing progress on various construction projects— things—from a Rose Bowl victory to a cancer especially if it affects parking. Our beloved older cure breakthrough to a 4.0 grade point to raising buildings have been cleaned and polished. The $1.5 billion for people and programs—are within revamped Botany Garden and all our Campus our ability to accomplish. With your continued Natural Areas are in their full end-of-summer enthusiasm and support for Create the Future: glory. Fall kicks off the athletic season. As red the Wisconsin Campaign, the promise of possi- and white becomes the dominant color scheme, bility will be a promise realized. Thank you. 2 University of Wisconsin Foundation As the academic year begins, campus pulses with the excitement of fresh starts, new discoveries and a future about to unfold. A brat at the Union is another bonus. W ISCONSIN CAMPAIGN insights 3 Contents/Fall 2004 Volume 2, Number 2 Overview 2 Message from the president Campaign Update 5 Message from the campaign co-chairs 10 16 20 28 Campaign Gifts 6 Fit to print: Estate funds deanship 7 Posses help in finding the undergraduate groove 10 Fond memories inspire gifts to preserve green space 12 Fellowship honors noted UW food microbiologist 13 Cronons’ gift offers history department flexibility 14 An attorney who practiced history and generosity 16 Just a kid from Wausau: Remembering “Crazylegs” 18 Because kids count: Gift honors Rennebohms WISCONSIN CAMPAIGN 19 UW, professor inspired lifetime of gratitude insights 20 Pitching in to help youth achieve dreams Editorial Director 22 Into the woods: Hall honors Stanton and Dorothy Mead Lynne Johnson 24 And the cow jumped over the moon Managing Editor Chris DuPré 27 Defining a legend Contributing Writers Merry Anderson 28 Tracking the campaigns, beholden to no one Tracey Rockhill Sue Zyhowski 30 Colleagues keep consumer advocate’s legacy alive Publication Coordinator 31 Crossing the ‘Finnish Line’ to success Laura Van Toll Design and Layout 32 Artful giving Paul Fuchs Design 34 Joyful givers insights is published three 34 AT&T dials up support for DoIt’s Streaming Media Project times a year by the University of Wisconsin Foundation for donors 35 New members take seat on Foundation board and friends of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Bascom Hill Society Address comments or questions to: 36 Bascom Hill Society honors major UW donors Chris DuPré 38 Honor societies over the years UW Foundation 1848 University Avenue P.O. Box 8860 Madison, WI 53708-8860 Phone: 608-263-0863 E-mail: [email protected] F ront Cover Web: www.uwfoundation.wisc.edu With the onset of autumn, Bascom Hill explodes into color, as seen here outside the Law School. A new academic year brings fresh faces and optimism to campus as students build their paths to the future. 4 University of Wisconsin Foundation Campaign Update Message from the campaign co-chairs During this summer’s month-long Tour de France bicycle race, a reporter for National Public Radio asked one of the commentators covering the event how the cyclists can ride in blistering heat for more than 100 miles, mostly uphill, and still have energy at the end to sprint to the finish line. Without missing a beat the commentator replied that these are simply the best athletes in the world and this is what they do. While Create the Future: The Wisconsin Campaign is not quite the Tour de France, it has SUTTER PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul Collins and Wade Fetzer been an uphill climb and our wonderful volunteers have joined UW Foundation staff to travel many miles and spend countless hours in quest of a goal. initiatives. It also encourages the development of We are very close—$300 million shy of the $1.5 “thinking outside the box” ideas that lead to more billion target. How do we still have the energy to successful efforts. sprint to the finish line? It’s really pretty obvious. Facilities support is the key to preserving our We are the Badgers and this is what we do. beautiful UW campus and the memories it holds while It also is fairly obvious why we care so much assuring that those who come here to study, teach and about investing in the future of our University. research have the most up-to-date, functional and Scholarships and fellowships not only let bright, safe places to do their best work. deserving undergraduate and graduate students All of these opportunities contain what we call “the attend the UW-Madison, this financial assistance power of possibility.” This feeling certainly describes the allows them to focus on their studies, contribute spirit that pervades the campus these autumn days. It in the classroom and participate in the total UW keeps all of us working on the campaign pushing for- experience. ward until we reach the top. Our victory, however, will Professorships help the UW attract and retain the not be an amount of money; it will be the possibilities best instructors and researchers in the world. These realized, the dreams fulfilled, the benefits multiplied are people who not only teach but inspire, who not for all humanity. only set standards of excellence but also motivate others to exceed them. Program support allows the continuation and growth of successful efforts like learning communi- ties; research projects; counseling, testing and advising services; curatorial activities; and outreach W ISCONSIN C AMPAIGN insights 5 Campaign Gifts Fit to print: Estate funds deanship T HROUGHOUT HIS LIFE, FREDERICK W. MILLER WAS COMMITTED TO THE U NIVERSITY OF W ISCONSIN-MADISON. NOW, THANKS TO AN ESTATE BEQUEST THAT IS THE LARGEST GIFT EVER RECEIVED BY THE L AW S CHOOL, THE M ILLER NAME WILL BECOME A PERMANENT PART OF LIFE ON CAMPUS THROUGH UW’S FIRST ENDOWED DEANSHIP. The estate of Miller, former presi- in this gift was to help to make the dent and publisher of The Capital Law School pre-eminent in the Times, has provided more than nation. It’s his pride in the Law $7 million to the Law School. The School that is behind this.” bequest will fund the school’s dean- Miller was an enthusiastic ship, now held by Kenneth B. Davis supporter of the University and took Jr., as the Frederick W. and Vi Miller a leading role with both the William Law School Dean. T. Evjue Charitable Trust and The “Fred was a devoted friend of the Evjue Foundation Inc., which has University, and this generous gift will been a substantial contributor to go far to ensure that his name will UW-Madison over the years. Evjue always be associated with excellence was the founder of The Capital Times. MADISON NEWSPAPERS in the Law School,” said Chancellor Frederick W. Miller Wiley noted that Miller had a John D. Wiley. “He was always inter- particular interest in the Wisconsin ested in top-notch academics, and his philanthropy Idea—the notion that the boundaries of the University reflected that.” are the boundaries of the state—and was instrumental Davis said the gift demonstrates that Miller, who in creating the William T. Evjue Chair for the Wisconsin died last December at age 91, placed a high value on Idea, now held by chemistry Professor Bassam the education he received at the Law School.