Uihlein donates $2.6 million for UWM’s Center for Water Policy
A $2.6 million gift from Lynde Uihlein will support a new Center for Water Policy at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM).
The gift will fund an endowed chair and director for the planned center, which will be part of the new graduate-level School of Freshwater Sciences.
Recruitment for the endowed chair and center director will begin this spring, concurrent with the review and approval of the new center. The director could begin work later this year or in early 2012.
“UWM is grateful to Lynde Uihlein for the opportunity to provide such a vital resource to her alma mater, southeastern Wisconsin and the nation,” said UWM interim chancellor Michael Lovell. “This Center will provide world-class interdisciplinary solutions for problems related to the protection and restoration of our freshwater resources, and it will further position Milwaukee and the region as a national and international hub of water policy and technology innovation.”
“In creating this endowment I hope to contribute to the protection of the world’s freshwater resources,” said Uihlein, who is the daughter of the late philanthropist Jane Bradley Pettit. “My purpose is to foster an interdependent approach that will bridge the gaps between science, technology, business and the public good. By focusing on policy, the Center will bring to bear effective strategies that protect, conserve and restore our precious freshwaters.”
Uihlein shares UWM’s ambitious goals and high hopes for the center.
“I cannot think of a more important issue in our community, in our state and around the world than the sustainable use and management of water,” she said. “My hope is that the Center for Water Policy will contribute substantially to that mission, and with the assistance of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and its partners, will advance an important agenda by working together and thinking sustainably.”
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said, “Lynde Uihlein’s gift is a significant contribution to Milwaukee’s growth as the center of fresh water innovation, policy and technology. Lynde’s generosity strengthens Milwaukee’s status as the “Freshwater Capital” and international center for freshwater studies.”
Three area firms make Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For list
Three southeastern Wisconsin companies made Fortune magazine’s 2011 list of the best 100 companies in the United States to work for.
Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. was ranked 14th.
Racine-based Johnson Financial Group was ranked 46th.
Racine-based S.C. Johnson was ranked 70th.
To see the full list, click here.
S.C. Johnson said this is the 11th years the company has made the Fortune Best Companies to Work For list.
"Being named by Fortune magazine to its 100 Best Companies to Work For list is truly an honor," said S.C. Johnson chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson. "As a privately-held company, we are able to focus on the next generation. This means we are able to consistently uphold core values such as workplace excellence which makes a difference to the families at S.C. Johnson. We continually strive to make SC Johnson a place where people are inspired to do their best work. This award reinforces what S.C. Johnson is about: doing what’s right for the people of S.C. Johnson and pushing ourselves to do more. As a fifth-generation family run company, that’s a challenge we take seriously."
Brewers launch lottery for Opening Day tickets
The Milwaukee Brewers are accepting fan registrations for a lottery to purchase tickets to Opening Day and marquee games in 2011 against the Chicago Cubs, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Minnesota Twins.
With the start of Spring Training games just a few weeks away and baseball returning to Miller Park in 76 days, the Brewers are installing a large new scoreboard.
The Opening Day lottery will continue through Tuesday, Feb. 15. Fans can purchase up to four tickets for the home opener on Monday, April 4, against the Atlanta Braves.
Following registration, a pool of randomly selected winners will be chosen and provided access to an online pre-sale opportunity, based on available inventory.
To register for the ticket lottery, click here.
Emergency services convention brings 2,500 to Milwaukee
More than 2,500 first responders, EMTs, paramedics and firefighters are expected to attend the Working Together Emergency Services Midwest Conference & Exposition at the Frontier Airlines Center in downtown Milwaukee. The conference began Wednesday and will conclude on Saturday, Jan. 29.
Conference attendees will use 2,762 room nights and the conference is expected to have an economic impact of $1.45 million, said Brent Foerster, vice president of sale for Visit Milwaukee.
Dozens of instructors will lead the nearly 60 education sessions held during the conference. The conference also includes 90,000 square feet of exhibit space with approximately 150 exhibitors. Displays include ambulances and fire equipment, including helicopters indoors on the expo hall floor.
“The Working Together conference has grown to become one of the biggest EMS events in the nation,” said Mindy Allen, executive director of the Wisconsin EMS Association, which holds the conference. “Over the past 25 years, more than 500 national speakers have come to Wisconsin to help expand the knowledge of more than 50,000 EMS providers.”
