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The gift from University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates John Morgridge and his wife, Tashia, will support low-income Wisconsin public high school graduates attending any of the state’s public colleges and universities.
“This is just the start,” John Morgridge said. “We believe that the fund will grow substantially as others are inspired to join us in this effort.”
About 2,000 students will receive grants of $1,000 to $5,000 from the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars during the coming school year. More than 3,000 students per year will receive grants after that.
“We’re hopeful, my wife and I, that the gift we’re providing in the form of scholarships will act as a genie to you, and will act to give you that extra push,” John Morgridge told students who were among approximately 150 people at a news conference formally announcing the donation and fund at Green Bay West High School.
“You may still have to take out loans, but the debt will not be as great,” his wife told the students.
She said the couple chose to make their announcement at the public high school because they wanted to “underscore the fund’s commitment to students from every part of the state.”
Eligibility for the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars program will be determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process, the announcement said.
The details still need to be worked out, but the Morgridges hope some of the money will eventually go to middle-class families struggling to pay for their children’s college educations, fund spokeswoman Amanda Todd said.
The Morgridges donated $50 million to the University of Wisconsin-Madison last year to build a private research center. They both graduated from the university in 1955, he in business, she in education.
Both grew up in the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa. Tashia Morgridge is a retired elementary special education teacher.
Forbes magazine’s list of the 400 richest Americans ranked John Morgridge at No. 220 this fall and estimated his fortune at $2.1 billion.
The grants, which do not need to be repaid, will go to UW System and Wisconsin Technical College System students. They will be eligible to receive aid for up to 10 semesters.
“Wisconsin’s public high schools do an outstanding job of preparing students for higher education,” Tashia Morgridge said. “We are committed to helping ensure that higher education is accessible and affordable.”
John Morgridge said the money would complement the Wisconsin Covenant program but the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars would not be state-run and those getting money from it would not have to sign the covenant.
The covenant program promises a spot in one of the state’s universities or technical colleges to eighth-graders who sign a pledge and earn a B average in high school, take college preparatory courses, stay out of trouble and perform community service.
More than 17,000 Wisconsin students signed up before that program’s first deadline in September.
Gov. Jim Doyle described the Tuesday donation as an incredible act of generosity.
“They’ve put their faith and trust in the young people of Wisconsin,” the governor said.
UW System president Kevin Reilly expressed a similar view.
“As graduates of our public university, the Morgridges recognize that higher education is a springboard to lifelong success,” he said “They also understand that people with unlimited intellectual potential often face real financial limitations. Their good work will help remove some of these obstacles and ensure broader access to our great colleges and universities.”
Dan Clancy, the Wisconsin Technical College System president, said the money will help the “significant” number of technical college students who have limited means.
The Morgridges, who live in California, will serve on the fund’s board of directors.
“I think what they’ve done is remarkable,” said Green Bay West senior Ben Klein, who plans to study education at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. They’re “great influences. I think it encourages students who normally could not attend college.”
