Student Activism Award
Previously the Excellence in Civic Engagement Undergraduate Award, the Morgridge Center for Public Service has named the Excellence in Civic Engagement Undergraduate Award after Senator Fred Risser.
The Fred Risser Excellence in Civic Engagement Undergraduate Award will recognize an undergraduate student who has made civic engagement integral to their college experience. Senator Risser has concluded an extraordinary career in elected office here in Wisconsin. It’s safe to say that without your leadership on the State Building Commission dating back as far as 1960, the UW–Madison campus would not be what it is today.
Here at UW, we want to honor his long and steadfast commitment to public service. The mission of the Morgridge Center is to connect campus to community through service and learning to build a thriving democratic society. Your decades of service in both the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Wisconsin State Senate are a truly remarkable example of this pursuit.
This award offers a $400 one time scholarship to an individual or student group* that skillfully and equitably engages in student activism.
*The distribution of the award to student groups requires consultation with the Morgridge Center to determine equivalent distribution options. Individuals seeking to nominate a non-registered student organizations are highly encouraged to select one member of their organization to act as the nominee. This allows us to best coordinate an equitable payment.
2026: Devin Guthrie
2025: No Recipient Selected
2024: Alicia Obiakor
2023: Antiracism Learning and Action in Neuroscience
2022: No Recipient Selected
2021: UW–Madison BIPOC Coalition
Any questions or concerns? Email: jramirez27@wisc.edu.
2026 Recipient Devin Guthrie
Devin has shown outstanding leadership in advancing environmental justice and inclusion across UW–Madison.
As president of We Outside, Devin created more than 20 opportunities for BIPOC students to connect with nature and represented the organization in community dialogues about access to outdoor spaces.
Devin’s impact also includes co‑leading SEEDS, coordinating events that support diverse students in ecological research, and fostering belonging as vice president of the Multiracial Student Union.
Through the Community Environmental Scholars Program, Devin applied community‑engaged training to highlight environmental disparities in Madison and expand participation in environmental initiatives.
Through creativity, collaboration, and a growing emphasis on eco‑futurism, Devin is shaping a more inclusive and imaginative environmental future.