The Impact of Gifts

Food insecurity is an ongoing issue across the nation, impacting nearly 12 million children. Approximately 200,000 of those children are living in poverty in Wisconsin.

Donors who contribute to discretionary funds help prepare Badgers for future success.

Every two years, leaders at UW–Madison look to the state for an investment that will help the university remain successful and serve the people of Wisconsin.

Over the last few years, the Soderholm Family Aquatic Center has offered outstanding opportunities for UW–Madison student-athletes, coaches, family members, and fans.

Biochemistry alumnus Daniel Klessig ’71 grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm. There, 18-hour workdays prepared him for the effort it would take to excel in school despite his dyslexia. Those arduous years also played a part in his desire to leave the farm and follow in his brother’s footsteps as a biochemistry-focused Badger.

Make “cool stuff.” That’s what Micah Robinson BS’23, MSx’25 wanted to do in the Biological Systems Engineering Shop. Thanks to the Martin and Kathleen Burkhardt Fund, that’s exactly what he did for two years as an undergraduate employee.

First unveiled in fall 2020, the Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery (MSABD) building is a state-of-the-art facility for research, teaching, and outreach. It contains a USDA-inspected plant for meat production, an animal biologics preparation room, a high-security biosafety lab, and a retail store called Bucky’s Varsity Meats. (See The Future Holds No Limits for Meat Science at CALS, Grow, spring 2021.) The building is also home to the MSABD program in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, which offers exceptional training opportunities for students, staff, and industry professionals.

Undergraduate Brooke Stibbe and alum Tom Schmidknecht BS’71 came to CALS with similar backgrounds. Both grew up in small rural Wisconsin towns, so both encountered a wave of culture shock when they arrived at UW.