Celebrating Outstanding Alumni

John and Tashia Morgridge, recipients of the university’s first Distinguished Service Award, have transformed the campus through their visionary giving. CM Howard Photography

This year, UW–Madison’s first Distinguished Service Award will be presented by the Office of the Chancellor with support from the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA). The new award celebrates individuals or couples whose unparalleled contributions to the university have significantly transformed UW–Madison’s ability to carry out its mission. This year’s inaugural honorees are John ’55 and Tashia ’55 Morgridge.

The Morgridges epitomize the spirit of the Distinguished Service Award. By making the largest individual philanthropic gifts in UW–Madison history, they have upgraded nearly every aspect of campus, from the Morgridge Institute for Research to the university’s ability to provide scholarships and retain world-class professors; from the Morgridge Center for Public Service to the new School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences.

The Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) is also recognizing three alumni with its longest-standing award, the Distinguished Alumni Award. This year’s honorees are: Susan Engeleiter ’74, JD’81, a former Wisconsin state senator who is now president and CEO of Data Recognition Corporation; Pat Hanrahan ’77, PhD’85, who helped create new computer graphics software during his tenure at Pixar that transformed the film animation industry; and Gary Wendt ’65, philanthropist and cofounder of Deerpath Capital Management.

In addition, WFAA named seven 2024 Luminary Award winners for serving as aspirational examples through accomplishments in their professions, in service, or in philanthropy.

They are: Melissa Amundson ’99, oral and maxillofacial surgeon; Victor Barnett ’82, founder and CEO, Running Rebels; Ross Freedman ’97, cofounder, Origin; Amed Khan ’91, president, Amed Khan Foundation; Robin Wall Kimmerer MS’78, PhD’83, author, professor, and director, Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry; Liz Lefkofsky ’91, president, Lefkofsky Family Foundation; and Petar Ostojic MS’05, CEO, Neptuno Pumps and executive director, Center of Innovation and Circular Economy.

Finally, WAA honored seven young alumni with 2024 Forward Awards for exemplifying the Wisconsin Idea through the ideals of progress, service, and discovery.

The honorees are: Maggie Brickerman ’08 and Abby Kursel ’14, partners at Madison business accelerator Gener8tor; Chelsea Cervantes De Blois ’10, MA’13, lead climate security analyst for the U.S. Department of State; Adelaide Davis ’13, senior officer, Health Service Delivery and Operations, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; Jarell Skinner-Roy ’11, research fellow, National Center for Institutional Diversity, University of Michigan; Jeffrey Vinokur ’12, CEO of Generation Genius; and Tara Yang ’13, chair of the Green Bay Equal Rights Commission.

To learn more about the 2024 award winners or to nominate someone for one of next year’s awards, visit uwalumni.com/awards.

Published in the Fall 2024 issue