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Statements from UW-Madison leadership on the Morgridge scholarship gift

December 18, 2007

University of Wisconsin–Madison leaders have high praise for the gift of $175 million from John and Tashia Morgridge, which will support need-based financial aid for thousands of talented prospective students in Wisconsin.

  • From UW–Madison Chancellor John D. Wiley:

"The gift announced today from John and Tashia Morgridge is nothing short of magnificent. Supporting need-based scholarships at this level will make the dream of a college degree a solid reality for thousands of Wisconsin families, while also sending a powerful message that access to higher education is a statewide priority.

The Morgridges have been wonderful friends and allies of UW–Madison for many years, and have helped support some of our most innovative new initiatives. Just to name a few, The Morgridge Center for Public Service is a national model for engaged student learning, and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery/Morgridge Institute for Research will soon be a crown jewel of our research enterprise.

What an outstanding development that, through this latest gift, young people across the state of Wisconsin will be beneficiaries of the Morgridges’ timely and vital investment. Thank you again, John and Tashia, for your passionate commitment to higher learning in Wisconsin."

  • From UW–Madison director of financial aid Susan Fischer:

"The doors of access to a higher education in Wisconsin have just been opened further by the extreme generosity of John and Tashia Morgridge. With the establishment of the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars, the Morgridges send a message to middle and high school students throughout the state that a higher education is within reach, regardless of their family’s economic situation.

The Fund for Wisconsin Scholars will provide access for low-income Wisconsin residents to a higher education in a meaningful and solid way. As an alumna of and staff member at UW–Madison, I hope we can encourage as many students as possible to access this grant and attend our university. As a financial aid professional, I am just excited about the many post-secondary possibilities for Wisconsin students who have so much opportunity now available to them throughout the state."