Morgridges to address graduates at spring commencement

Alumni John and Tashia Morgridge will deliver the charge to the graduates at the university’s four undergraduate commencement ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday, May 14-15, at the Kohl Center.

John Morgridge is chair emeritus of the board of Cisco Systems, a leading supplier of networking equipment and network management for the Internet. He also serves on the boards of a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), the Nature Conservancy, and the technical advisory board for the Milwaukee Public School System.

John earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Wisconsin School of Business and a master’s degree in business administration from Stanford University. In 1994 he was honored with an honorary doctorate degree from UW–Madison.

Tashia Morgridge earned her bachelor’s degree from the School of Education and a master’s degree in education from Lesley College in Massachusetts. She was a special education teacher and in retirement she volunteers as a teacher for the learning disabled. She is a member of the School of Education’s Board of Visitors.

In 1994, Tashia told former UW–Madison Chancellor David Ward that she wanted to help create a center for public service at her alma mater. Two years later, the Morgridge Center for Public Service was born. The center is one of the nation’s premier institutions in the area of public service and service learning.

The Morgridges have a strong interest in education. They launched the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars with the goal of increasing the number of college graduates across the state. With their initial gift of $175 million, they created a permanent endowment that provides need-based grants for high school graduates to attend Wisconsin’s public two- and four-year colleges and universities.

Evidence of their generosity can be found all around the campus, from the Red Gym to Grainger Hall to the newly renovated Education Building and the Morgridge Institute for Research, which opened in December.

Below is information on the five commencement ceremonies:

Friday, May 13, 5:30 p.m.: Honorary degrees and all doctoral and professional degrees (including Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Musical Arts, Doctor of Juridical Science, Juris Doctor, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Audiology, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Laws, Master of Laws-Legal Institutions, Master of Public Health).

Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m.: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, School of Education, Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, School of Human Ecology, School of Medicine and Public Health, School of Nursing and School of Pharmacy.

Saturday, May 14, 2:30 p.m.: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the School of Business and the College of Engineering.

Sunday, May 15, 10 a.m.: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of Letters and Science, in majors A through H (African Languages and Literature through History of Science, Medicine and Technology).

Sunday, May 15, 2:30 p.m.: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of Letters and Science in majors I through Z (International Public Affairs through Zoology).

Candidates in the College of Letters and Science with more than one major attend the ceremony for their major that comes first alphabetically. For example, an economics/political science double major attends the 10 a.m. ceremony.

To reduce traffic congestion in the vicinity of the Kohl Center, complimentary shuttle bus service will be available to transport participants and their guests who choose to park in the vicinity of the Engineering campus and Camp Randall Stadium to and from the Kohl Center. The shuttle will provide service every 10-15 minutes from 3:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 13, and from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, and Sunday, May 15.

The shuttle will stop near the intersection of North Randall Avenue and Engineering Drive, proceed to the Kohl Center, and return to North Randall Avenue. Shuttle stops will be designated by signs.