The Morgridge Center for Public Service celebrated its 30th anniversary on Thursday, Oct. 9, hosting an open-house party with keynote speakers, food and community. The event brought together students, faculty and staff, alumni and community partners to celebrate three decades of service at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Founded in 1996 with the support of UW alumni, John and Tashia Morgridge, the center has become a hub for public service on campus, connecting students with opportunities to serve and lead in a community-centered manner.
University leaders and Morgridge Center staff spoke at the event, reflecting on the enduring impact and the vision which launched the center all those years ago.
Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs John Zumbrunnen spoke heavily about the Wisconsin Idea and the original articulation of “I will not rest content.”
He noted the role the center has played in bringing this ideal to fruition, “which is to simultaneously challenge us to live up to the Wisconsin Idea, to continue to refine our understanding of it and to continue to improve our practice of it.”
Mary Rouse, the center’s founding director, reflected on the legacy of the center and passed along a message from the Morgridges:
“We founded the Morgridge Center because we have always believed that public service benefits both those who serve and those who receive service. We are proud of what the Morgridge Center has become. Happy 30th Birthday!”
Attendees also heard from Travis Wright, the current faculty director, who impressed the importance of the work the center does to shape the student experience and impact the broader Madison community.
“Now more than ever, the center has a critical role to play in advancing democratic ideals and sounding the call of citizen service,” he said.
Throughout the evening, guests were able to interact with displays highlighting past and present work including initiatives with Badger Volunteers, community-based learning and the Wisconsin Idea Fellowship. The event also highlighted the importance of community partners who collaborate with the center in order to foster change in the Madison area and beyond.
The Morgridge Center embodies the Wisconsin Idea every day, and looking ahead to the next 30 years, the center maintains its commitment to build relationships between campus and community through service and engagement.
Thanks to Tashia and John Morgridge, the university and private support, the Morgridge Center has been able to achieve an impressive record in the first 30 years. A gift to the Morgridge Center works like ripples in a pool. It touches lives on campus, locally and globally. The Morgridge Center inspires students, faculty, and staff to give of themselves to benefit people beyond the university.