For more than two decades, Morrison “Morrie” Waud Jr. was a cherished friend and enduring champion of the UW School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM). Morrie began his philanthropic relationship with SVM in the late 1990s after seeking treatment for one of his beloved draft horses. He was impressed by the compassion and proficiency demonstrated by his care team, fueling his enthusiasm for the school and the large animal hospital.
Morrie created the Fund for Excellence in Equine Health in 2005 to advance large animal medicine and support the purchase of state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment and other innovative technologies. Deeply invested in student success, he established the Morrie Waud Student Support Fund in 2011, providing significant annual gifts to impact veterinary medical students. From scholarships to personalized gifts and events honoring student achievements, Morrie’s generosity has brought joy to many Badgers.
“I love caring for horses, being out on farm calls, and helping equine clients,” says scholarship recipient Brenna Wetherbee ’20, DVM’25. “It means the world to me that Morrie supported my lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian. I hope to be able to pay it forward in the future.”
A true advocate, Morrie joined the Class of 2015 as an honorary member, walking beside them from orientation to graduation. In 2016, the large animal hospital was named in his honor. Morrie’s $5 million match in 2017 helped raise nearly $9 million for the Animals Need Heroes Too campaign, aiding the school’s vital building expansion.
Morrie left an indelible mark — he served on the SVM board of visitors, contributed a substantial estate gift that further supports SVM, and, to this day, remains one of the most generous donors in the school’s history. He passed away on November 6, 2018. Through his visionary benevolence, Morrie’s legacy of boundless compassion and dedication to veterinary medicine will impact SVM students for generations.