Stories from UW Alumni

Dedicated Donors Advance Pediatric Immunology Research

Few Badgers have deeper or more enduring roots at UW–Madison than retired pediatrician E. Richard Stiehm ’54, MD’57. Raised near Camp Randall and the child of two alumni-turned-medical professionals, Stiehm has long been connected to the university and to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Stiehm and his wife, Judith Hicks Stiehm ’57,... Read more »

A Journey of Gratitude, Giving, and Great Success

Growing up in Strum, Wisconsin, after his family emigrated from Norway, Bjorn Borgen ’62 worked at a Ford dealership and excelled in school, earning a scholarship to attend UW–Madison.

Helping Families Find Strength

Since 1993, the Child Life program at the American Family Children’s Hospital has been helping pediatric patients and their families manage the stress and anxiety associated with hospitalizations.

Serendipity and Perseverance at UW–Madison

At UW–Madison, the forces that propel students forward often arise from two very different sources: unexpected good fortune and steadfast determination.

A ‘Game Changer’ for Estate Planning

Giving back is important. It’s a fundamental belief held by Jeffry Brown ’79 and Kristin Brown. It’s also the motivating factor behind their establishment of the Jeffry (Class of 1979) and Kristin Brown Endowed Professorship Fund at UW Law School, which is structured as a gift of carried interest.

Commemorative Scholarship Supports CDIS Badgers

In fall 2024, the family of beloved Badger Arun Pancholia ’23 made a generous contribution to establish a fund in honor of Arun’s life and his belief in the transformational power of education. The Arun Pancholia Scholarship supports dedicated undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds who are studying at the UW School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences.

Introducing the Wisconsin Exchange

At a time when national surveys show that 77 percent of Americans have few or no friends with differing political beliefs, UW–Madison is taking bold steps to foster connections across divides.

A Promise Worth Keeping

Since its launch in 2018, Bucky’s Tuition Promise has provided free tuition for Wisconsin students from families earning $65,000 or less, making a college education more accessible. Mackenzie Straub ’21 benefited from the program after her father’s untimely death when she was 13, leaving her family with significant financial uncertainty. This initiative has supported more... Read more »

Advancing Excellence for Nurses

Barbara Bowers dedicated 37 years to the UW School of Nursing, where she advanced research on aging and caregiving and went on to establish the Center for Aging Research and Education (CARE). Now retired, Bowers continues to mentor students and lead national efforts to improve long-term care. The Bowers Fellow giving level was established in... Read more »

The Power of Planned Giving

Gary Kramer ’67, MS’69, and his wife, Ellie, embody the spirit of lifelong generosity. From humble beginnings in Eastman, Wisconsin, Gary journeyed to UW–Madison largely because of the encouragement of his high school guidance counselor and the support of scholarships that made his college education possible. Though his academic path shifted — from chemistry to... Read more »