How old is the Wisconsin Idea?

Although the birth certificate of the university’s defining concept is a little fuzzy, you could make a strong case for the Wisconsin Idea being 121 years old. UW president Charles Van Hise 1879, 1880, MS1882, PhD1892 gets credit for being the first person to articulate the Wisconsin Idea in 1904 when he uttered this oft-quoted sentiment: “I shall never be content until the beneficent influence of the university reaches every family of the state.” However, the concept had been evolving for some time, largely because of an earlier UW president, John Bascom, who believed that the university’s service to the state was a moral obligation. The credit for giving the vision a name actually goes to political scientist Charles McCarthy PhD1901, who wrote a book in 1912 called The Wisconsin Idea. Early examples of putting the idea into practice included the university’s support for the dairy industry, the creation of the Wisconsin Extension, and the influence of UW thinkers on public policies such as Social Security. In later years, the Wisconsin Idea expanded to include having a positive influence on the nation and even the world, and it continues to grow in relevance. Perhaps someday, it will help its beneficiaries live to a ripe 121 years old, as well.