University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
10/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2024 09:40
Fund for Wisconsin Scholars founders Morgridges earn Chancellor’s Medallion
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt, center, presents a Chancellor's Medallion to Tashia and John Morgridge for their extraordinary support of students pursuing UWO degrees.
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt awarded John and Tashia Morgridge, founders of the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars, the prestigious Chancellor's Medallion during their Oct. 7 visit to the university.
From 2014 into 2024, 766 UWO students received Fund for Wisconsin Scholars grants. The fund has provided more than $2.8 million for UW Oshkosh students over just those last 10 years.
"John and Tashia understand that our students' stability and success is ultimately our city's, our region's and our state's success," Leavitt said. "Every Titan we can, together, help progress toward graduation and, ultimately, get that diploma is a win for that student, for their family and for Wisconsin."
UWO hosted a Fund for Wisconsin Scholars dinner on Oct. 7. About 140 current and prospective UWO student recipients of the grants joined the Morgridges to learn more about their personal story and their motivation in establishing the Fund in 2007 with a gift of $175 million. The Fund "provides need-based grants to graduates of Wisconsin public high schools attending University of Wisconsin four-year colleges and universities to support their access to and completion of college," reducing college barriers and "lightening the debt that many Wisconsin students incur" (more at https://ffws.org/about).
The mission and its its founders are worthy of the Medallion, Leavitt said.
The Chancellor's Medallion is given to individuals that the Chancellor deems deserving because of their significant contributions to the University, the region, the state or the nation. It has previously been awarded to citizens and community leaders who have courageously confronted challenges from hunger, poverty and racism to threats to public health and other forces and injustices that overwhelm and limit people, preventing them from enjoying safety, thriving in our economy and realizing their full potential.
"The medallion also reflects the history and aspirations of UW Oshkosh," Leavitt said. "It recognizes the power of individuals to make a difference. It stands for all that is good about UWO. So, knowing this, I can think of no better recipients than John and Tashia, given their work to found, fund and sustain the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars."
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