Major changes shape Morgridge Center present, future

Since it was founded in 1996, the Morgridge Center for Public Service at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has gained wide campus and community recognition for its leadership and advocacy role in promoting civic engagement, volunteerism and service learning.

Now, as the center approaches its 15th anniversary, it is experiencing several momentous developments in a short window of time, providing an opportunity to shape the next phase of the center’s history.

In late 2009, founding benefactors, John and Tashia Morgridge made a new gift of $5 million to help expand the center’s endowment.

Currently, the center is in the process of searching for a new faculty director to build on the success of Afro-American studies professor Michael Thornton, who has completed his five-year term.

In addition, though continuing to be housed in the Armory and Gymnasium (Red Gym), the center has moved to a new administrative and academic home as part of the School of Human Ecology.

“There is a new gift, a new direction and soon, a new director,” says Aaron Brower, vice provost for teaching and learning, who encourages participation in volunteerism and service learning as part of the Wisconsin Experience.

“It’s a very exciting time for the Morgridge Center and for all of us interested in service learning and community-based research on our campus,” he adds. “Mike’s leadership has us poised to take our next step, and it’s all made possible through John and Tashia Morgridge’s support and vision. The Morgridge Center’s next faculty director has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape the course of the Center for generations to come.”

The center has advanced both the Wisconsin Idea and the Wisconsin Experience by promoting and supporting civic engagement activities, strengthening teaching and learning, and facilitating university‐community partnerships through public service, academic service learning, community‐based research and engaged scholarship.

The Morgridges helped develop the vision for the center with then-Chancellor David Ward and former director Mary Rouse.

In addition to numerous philanthropic works for campus, including the School of Education addition, the Morgridge Institute for Research and the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars, they have made previous gifts to the center, including the renovation of the Armory and Gymnasium.

Thornton says he enjoyed the role of faculty director immensely and is also grateful to the Morgridges and the staff of the center for contributing to his success.

“It’s so remarkable that they love this university so much that they’re willing to continue to give to the center,” says Thornton, who is returning to the faculty.

“We are now embarking on a new era, one that began with a major addition to our endowment and new academic partnerships,” he adds. “It continues with the hire of a grants coordinator and an opportunity to increase support for the center through a new grants and gifts program.”

The next director will be charged with continuing to integrate the center into the university’s academic curriculum by taking service learning and community-based research “to the next level,” by expanding offerings and creating exciting new and innovative ways for students to be engaged in community life, outreach and volunteerism. The director will work to create even greater incentives for faculty and departments to join these efforts.

The next director will also have an opportunity presented by the Morgridge Match Challenge Grant Program.

Beginning this spring, the Morgridges will match gifts and grants collected by UW–Madison campus entities and community-campus partnerships for new projects that advance the Morgridge Center’s mission and goals. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the center.

UW-Madison faculty are encouraged to consider applying to become faculty director. The position is open to tenured faculty who are committed to advancing the mission and goals of the Morgridge Center. The anticipated academic-year appointment is minimally 50 percent time for three to five years and is renewable.

“We’re looking for a director to lead the center into the future with a clear and innovative vision, recognizing that it is a campuswide center that needs to develop a ‘new face’ on campus and within the community,” says Mo Noonan Bischof of the provost’s office, who is co-chairing the search with Lynet Uttal, professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and director of Asian American studies. “Our next director should continue to be the ‘champion’ of the Morgridge Center both locally and publicly, and take it to the next level.”

The deadline for nominations or applications is Sunday, Feb. 28. For more details, visit http://www.morgridge.wisc.edu. Find the position vacancy listing at http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/pvl/pv_063560.html.