$1 million gift establishes chair in entrepreneurism

A permanently endowed chair established with a $1 million gift will provide support for an outstanding faculty member at the School of Business.

The Glen A. Skillrud Family Chair in Business will focus on entrepreneurism. The gift will allow the school to increase its emphasis on the growing field of entrepreneurism. The chair is named for retired businessman Glen A. Skillrud of San Antonio, Texas, and his wife, Wendy.

Skillrud owned and operated Truax Plaza Center in Madison from 1964-2000 and developed the Sheraton Inn in Madison. Skillrud attended the University of Wisconsin in the mid-1960s. A Madison native, he served in World War II as a U.S. Navy fighter pilot.

“This generous gift will allow the School of Business to support a highly skilled faculty member who will train our students, provide services to the community and conduct fundamental research that expands our knowledge of innovative business techniques,”says Andrew J. Policano, dean of the School of Business.

Skillrud said he made the gift to support people with an enthusiasm for entrepreneurial efforts in business.

A Skillrud brother, Howard Skillrud, and a sister, Kathryn Mattson, reside in Madison.