James and Lisa Lillie Charitable Foundation announces funding of Great People Scholarship

James Lillie (’83 BS L&S) and his wife, Lisa Sheffield-Lillie, have established a Great People Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Speaking on behalf of his family’s foundation, Lillie said, “My wife, Lisa, and I have been very fortunate over our 18 years together. Very early on in our relationship we always felt that it was important to give back. Approximately 14 years ago we established a charitable foundation with the goal of helping individuals attend higher education. Our goal through the years has been to help individuals with the hope that they also ‘pay it forward’ as they achieve various levels of success. By partnering with the University of Wisconsin we are making $50,000 of scholarship dollars initially available for students at the Madison campus.”

Great People Scholarships are awarded as part of financial aid packages that often include student and family contributions, loans and work-study employment. More than 500 students received Great People Scholarships in the 2011-12 academic year, and that number will grow in 2012-13.

James Lillie, who grew up in Madison off and on throughout his childhood, entered the university in 1979 after graduating from high school in Mallorca, Spain. A lifelong supporter of the university, he had his first “real” job at Camp Randall selling soft drinks during Badger games while attending Sherman Middle School. Today, the former sabre fencer from Wisconsin’s award-winning Big Ten team is the chief executive officer of Jarden Corporation. Jarden Corporation is a provider of a diverse range of consumer products with a portfolio of more than 100 brands sold globally.