Bascom Hall (Photo: UW-Madison)
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has received its largest ever gift from a single contribution. UW officials announced over the weekend that alumni John and Tashia Morgridge have agreed to donate $100 million to the state’s flagship campus.
The Morgridges are co-chairs of a new fundraising effort being planned by the UW. The money will go to match donations for endowing professorships, chairs and distinguished chairs as the school tries to recruit top-flight faculty members. UW officials announced the gift on the scoreboard at Camp Randall Stadium, during Saturday’s game against Nebraska.
John Morgridge graduated from the UW-Madison business school in 1995. He has served as CEO and chairman of the board for Cisco Systems. Tashia Morgridge graduated from the School of Education in the same year. She has worked as a special education teacher.
It’s not the first time the pair have made major donations to the UW-Madison. They gave $100 million previously to establish the Morgridge Institute for Research, along with $32 million to renovate and expand the School of Education building.