Thornton named new director of Morgridge public service center

UW–Madison has named Michael Thornton, a professor of Afro-American Studies, as the new faculty director of the Morgridge Center for Public Service. Thornton, who begins in the half-time role on July 1, replaces Mary Rouse, who is retiring.

As an all-campus support unit, the center promotes public service among students, faculty and staff through academic service learning, community-based research, university partnerships and co-curricular activities. The center is named for UW–Madison alumni John and Tashia Morgridge, who spearheaded the renovation of the campus’s historic Red Gym and endowed the creation of the center.

One of Thornton’s biggest goals in his new role will be to continue to integrate the center into the university’s academic curriculum by expanding service learning and community-based research. He hopes to do so by reaching out to faculty and showing them how work with the community can invigorate their classes and teaching.

“To me, the Morgridge Center serves the university’s most important mission: to broaden our student’s understanding of the world, and in so doing, helping them create a better world for us all,” he says. “They are given an opportunity to share their resources – and perhaps the most important resource – themselves.”

Born in Kobe, Japan, Thornton has been at UW–Madison since 1989, and at one time served as the director of the Asian American Studies Program. He has a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, and a master’s and doctorate in sociology/Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan.

He is widely recognized on campus for his work as Plan 2008 Oversight Committee co-chair, a role that he had previously planned to relinquish.

Through his classes in Afro-American studies, Thornton has extensive experience with service learning, a teaching model in which students participate in community work as part of their educational experience. His students have taken part since 1999.

“This is clearly an area of passion for Michael and we’re thrilled that he will be further enhancing the work started by Mary Rouse,” says Provost Peter Spear. “He has a great rapport with students and is known as an advocate for student engagement with the community.”

In addition, Thornton says working in the Morgridge Center will allow him to explore one of his personal and professional interests: Breaking down racial and cultural boundaries and reaching out to all segments of the Madison community.

“I bring the eye of a researcher to the table,” he says. “I’ve reflected on our responsibilities as faculty to what happens in the world outside of academia. I believe we can forge a stronger link between research, the Madison community and the university.”

Thornton’s appointment is for three to five years, but can also be extended.