Alumni Share Medical School Memories with the First UW Medical School Great People Scholars

When the Great People Scholarship Campaign was launched in 2008, Dr. Dennis (’62 BS L&S, ’64 MS L&S, ’67 MD MED) and Gail (’62 BS AHP) Maki were among the first faculty and staff leaders to participate in this program established to increase need-based financial aid for qualified students. Recently, the Makis hosted a reception to introduce the first two Great People Scholars attending the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) and provide an update on program’s success and the importance of continued support. The event gave Dr. Maki the opportunity to recognize Dr. Benton Taylor who had just established the Dr. Benton and Mary Taylor Great People Scholarship. A 50 percent match from both the SMPH and the UW Foundation doubled Dr. Taylor’s gift.

UW Medical School alumni, current and former faculty and Department of Medicine residents shared medical school memories and advice with first year medical students Phil Miles (’08 BS EDU) and Heather Nennig, the Great People Scholarship recipients. University of Wisconsin-Madison Interim Chancellor David Ward (’62 MS L&S, ’63 PhD L&S) and SMPH Dean Robert Golden also spoke about the importance of private support and student support in particular.

Reminiscences and challenges of medical school were a lively topic during the evening as the future doctors had just completed a week of exams.

Photos from the event

Benton Taylor and Dennis MakiDennis Maki. Heather Nennig and Phil MilesGordon Derzon and David WardHeather Nennig and Benton Taylor