Sheboygan recognizes partnerships with UW–Madison

This July marks 175 years since Wisconsin’s first governor and legislature created the University of Wisconsin.

On Wednesday, June 28, the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association and UW–Madison will honor this milestone and celebrate how the university is making a difference in the Sheboygan area.

“Since its creation 175 years ago, UW–Madison has positively impacted every corner of Wisconsin,” says Charles Hoslet, vice chancellor for university relations. “From the beginning, UW–Madison has been a vital contributor to the state’s industry and economy and has helped raise people’s standard of living. It’s also provided an affordable, world-class education to hundreds of thousands of students, many of whom have stayed in — or returned to — the state and continue to give back.”

There are many connections between UW–Madison and Sheboygan County:

· About 300 of the approximately 17,000 in-state undergraduate students at UW–Madison today are from Sheboygan County.

· The university awarded financial aid of more than $1.15 million in 2022–23 to Sheboygan County undergrads.

· Currently, 52 students from Sheboygan County receive financial aid that covers the full amount of tuition and fees through either Bucky’s Tuition Promise or Badger Promise.

· Overall, about 178,000 UW–Madison alumni live in Wisconsin. Of those, 2,188 live in Sheboygan County including:

Building Wisconsin’s economy

Between July 2021 and June 2022, UW–Madison paid more than $292 million in Wisconsin through the formal purchasing process to 2,800 Wisconsin businesses, individuals, and organizations. These transactions include everything from major ongoing vendor relationships to one-time purchases. In 2021–22, UW–Madison spent $164,000 in Sheboygan County.

Campus Community Partnerships

Kohler

The relationship between Kohler and the University of Wisconsin dates to 1919 when Walter Kohler Sr. served as president of UW’s Board of Regents. In 1954, the Kohler Foundation supported 12 fellowships, which provided students with free housing and offered an opportunity for them to live together in the Knapp House and share their research, culture, and interests. The Knapp House fellowship program continued until 2012 when building complications ended the residential component. In 2013, the Kohler Foundation and the UW–Madison Graduate Program provided funding to establish the Marie Christine Kohler Fellows @ WID (Wisconsin Institute for Discovery), which provides graduate and professional students an opportunity to collaborate, share resources, and connect across campus, creating a unique interdisciplinary experience. Over time, the relationship has grown to include generous donations to different UW schools and colleges (more than $8.5 million to date), joint projects, and the hiring of many UW–Madison graduates. An estimated 195 alumni currently work for the company.

Johnsonville

Johnsonville and UW–Madison have enjoyed a long-standing partnership that goes back more than 30 years. Most recently, Johnsonville was a generous donor to and valued professional adviser in the construction of the new Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery Building at the university, which now houses the Johnsonville Lecture Hall. In addition, Johnsonville has worked with the Wisconsin School of Business Center for Professional and Executive Development to optimize team engagement and performance in an effort to ensure a culture of growth. Over the years, Johnsonville executives have also had the pleasure of serving on various university committees, such as Chief Information Officer Lori Plate serving as an advisory board member of the UW’s bachelor of science in applied computing program. In 2000, Johnsonville cofounders Ralph F. and Alice Stayer were inducted into the UW’s Wisconsin Meat Industry Hall of Fame. Currently, 50 UW–Madison alumni work at Johnsonville.

Other connections

UW–Madison remains central to advancing Wisconsin’s world-class dairy and cheese-making reputation. Of the more than 100 cheese manufacturers in Wisconsin, only 40 of them employ Master Cheesemakers as certified by the Center for Dairy Research, including Sartori Cheese in Plymouth, WI.

The UniverCity Year (UCY) program matches UW–Madison students and faculty partners with Wisconsin counties and local governments to help solve their real-world problems. UCY’s 2022 cohort includes a record-breaking nine new community partners; since 2015, UniverCity Year has worked with 29 Wisconsin communities.

The UW Division of Extension has supported local leaders and volunteers all over the state for more than a century in areas that include agriculture, health and well-being, families and finances, and natural resources. In Sheboygan County, 1,936 people attended Extension events in 2021–22. Find out more about what Extension offers in Sheboygan County at https://sheboygan.extension.wisc.edu/.

The Celebration

To salute these partnerships and successes, the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association will hold an alumni and community celebration at Kohler Communications – The Beacon on June 28. The family-friendly fun will include free Babcock ice cream (while supplies last) served from a vintage ice cream truck, photo opportunities with iconic UW–Madison backgrounds, and yard games. The Chair and and CEO of Kohler, David Kohler, and UW–Madison’s chancellor, Jennifer Mnookin, will speak to attendees. There will even be a special appearance by Bucky Badger.

“UW–Madison is truly making a difference in Sheboygan,” says Mike Fahey, managing director of state and university relations at the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association. “As we begin to celebrate the university’s 175th anniversary, it’s important for us to take a moment and celebrate this legacy of partnership, which will continue for years to come.”

For more information, please visit 175.wisc.edu/tour-stop/sheboygan-wi