Wisconsin Idea database spreads word of service to state

Legislators, county officials and newspaper readers across the state are finding out about the Wisconsin Idea through a university database that documents faculty and staff contributions to the state.

News releases, Wisconsin Profiles and county-by-county legislative reports are being generated from entries in the Wisconsin Idea in Action database. The releases are being published in print and online across the state in newspapers with a combined readership of more than 300,000. The profiles are appearing in a statewide magazine for county officials. Legislative reports have been well received by members of both parties at the State Capitol. The news releases and reports have cited examples of UW–Madison teaching, research, outreach and public service benefitting each county in Wisconsin.

In a recent campuswide e-mail, Provost Paul DeLuca and Vice Chancellor for University Relations Vince Sweeney appealed to faculty and staff to continue adding to the database so it can remain an effective tool for telling the story of UW–Madison’s benefits beyond the boundaries of campus.

“To continue these productive efforts, we must constantly refresh the database with new examples of the Wisconsin Idea in action,” DeLuca and Sweeney wrote. They are asking faculty and staff to submit projects and programs that exemplify the university’s service to state citizens, businesses and communities. Of most interest is Wisconsin-focused work, especially examples from outside of Dane County. Here are two examples of the Wisconsin Idea in action:

UW Specialty Ophthalmology Clinic in Mauston: Along with Drs. Potter, Blodi and Perkins, Dr. Gary Sterken examines a variety of eye patients in Mauston, treating their various conditions medically and surgically. This greatly aids many patients who would otherwise need to make many lengthy trips to Madison or some other larger medical community for their necessary eye care. The clinic also provides occasional information seminars to the community.

Discovery Farms Program: Discovery Farms are working Wisconsin farms facing different environmental challenges. They include: Harrison Farms, Elk Mound; Bragger Family Farm, Independence; Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, Kewaunee; Breneman Farms, Rio; Heisner Family Dairy Farm, Mineral Point; and Riechers Beef, Darlington. UW–Madison faculty and graduate students of the Discovery Farms Program take a real-world approach to finding the most economical solutions to overcoming the challenges that farmers face as they try to comply with new and changing environmental regulations.

• submit a listing to the Wisconsin Idea in Action.
• update an existing record or locate the listing on the database Web site.

For more information or assistance, contact Bill Graf, Project Manager for the Wisconsin Idea Project, at 265-0476.