A century-old legacy: Influence of Van Hise lives on through Wisconsin Idea
Later this month, science lovers will explore UW–Madison’s Biotechnology Center during Family Science Night. That evening, faculty members will teach visiting children and adults how to extract DNA from wheat germ and build human DNA models.
Though this type of research is relatively new, the act of sharing knowledge with Wisconsin residents actually has roots on this campus that go back more than a century. Programs such as Family Science Night are shining examples of the Wisconsin Idea — UW–Madison’s long-standing guiding principle that its resources and knowledge should benefit the people of Wisconsin and beyond.
The birth of the Wisconsin Idea has been attributed to Charles Van Hise, who was elected university president in April 1903. And although he crystallized the university’s mission with his statement, “I shall never be content until the beneficent influence of the University reaches every home in the state,” he was not the first to articulate the general concept.
Disease and drought once plundered potato crops, but in 1940, UW scientists gave the crop a fighting chance. Researchers created North America’s first seed farm to supply farmers with high-quality, disease-free seed potatoes. Later, Snowden potatoes, developed here and released in 1990, proved to be the ultimate spud for potato chips, one of the market niches that helps Wisconsin’s potato industry consistently rank among the nation’s top five. (Photo courtesy: UW Archives) |
Evidence of efforts to improve life outside university walls dates as far back as the 1880s, when the university began offering courses for Wisconsin’s farmers.
One of the earliest examples of university research benefiting the state was in 1890, when Professor Stephen Babcock developed a test to measure the butterfat content of milk. Babcock’s invention became the technological cornerstone of the modern dairy industry and ended the days of watered-down milk.
It wasn’t until 1912 that this philosophy articulated by Van Hise took on the name it has today. Charles McCarthy, a Ph.D. graduate of the university, first used the term for the title of his book, “The Wisconsin Idea.” In it he discussed using faculty to assist the state legislature with formulation of government policies. But the words in the title quickly became associated with the use of university resources to help people from all walks of life.
Since then, “the Wisconsin Idea has been one of UW–Madison’s longest, proudest and most cherished traditions, permeating our culture and shaping part of the way we think and operate,” says Peyton Smith, assistant vice chancellor for extended programs.
During Van Hise’s administration, which lasted until 1918, Wisconsin became the first state to create a university extension unit. To this day, faculty and staff continue to provide job training and adult education to thousands of state residents.
Through the decades, countless people have been touched by projects and programs through the Wisconsin Idea.
Pointing toward a bilingual chart illustrating how various activities burn calories, volunteer Mandy Porter Dosti talks about healthy lifestyles during the Harambee Health Hour held weekly at the Villager Mall Community Partnership building in south Madison. The program, one of the Wisconsin Idea Undergraduate Fellowships, seeks to improve health and exercise awareness in low-income people who have diabetes and related health problems.(Photo: Jeff Miller) |
One prominent example was the work done by Economics Professor John Commons that led to the nation’s first enacted unemployment benefits. This became the starting point for the federal unemployment insurance program that was part of the Social Security Act of 1935. Another economics professor, Edwin Witte, helped design the Social Security program in 1934.
The university’s alumni have made contributions through the years to foster development of the Wisconsin Idea. The creation of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation is one of the most enduring examples, fueling the expansion of knowledge that has resulted in major advancements to the benefit of society.
Kenneth Frazier, director of the UW–Madison General Library System, gives presentations on the history of the Wisconsin Idea. “Today, there is scarcely an issue of concern not being worked on here at this campus,” he says.
While it’s true that most other college and universities also try to extend their capabilities beyond campus grounds, UW–Madison has been a model for all the rest.
“A lot of universities strive to share information with the public today, but that’s really a trend of the last 50 years or so,” explains Smith. “Here we have embraced this philosophy for more than 100 years.”
UW–Madison’s unique ways of strengthening the Wisconsin Idea also sets this university apart from others. Smith continues, “We care enough about the philosophy to reward those people on campus who are living it.”
Chemistry professor Bassam Shakhashiri is serving as the first William T. Evjue Distinguished Chair for the Wisconsin Idea. Shakhashiri is using this chair to advance science literacy throughout society. In addition, nine outreach projects — focusing on areas ranging from astronomy and biotechnology to dance and rural arts — recently received funds from the Ira and Ineva Reilly Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment. In addition, since 1999, the Evjue and W.K. Kellogg foundations have been supporting the Wisconsin Idea Undergraduate Fellowships, which provide opportunities for students to serve the community and learn outside the classroom.
“Amplifying the Wisconsin Idea” is one of five key priorities of UW–Madison’s strategic plan. Howard Martin, associate vice chancellor for extended programs, says, “Our goals include advancing Wisconsin’s and the global economy; addressing societal issues through multidisciplinary approaches; fostering technology transfer, e-learning and other distance learning; and increasing lifelong learning opportunities.”
Such institutional support for the Wisconsin Idea will help carry this core value of the institution forward. With so many ongoing programs and areas of research, says Frazier, “the fulfillment of the Wisconsin Idea lies in the future — not the past.”
Smith agrees, noting that the university community’s “reservoir of ideas to extend the philosophy of the Wisconsin Idea in a relevant way is absolutely amazing.
“Who would have thought that an idea that has been around for so long would continue to mean so much to so many — and would still be such a vital part of UW–Madison — today?”
Van Hise, perhaps?