Uihlein gift launches University collaboration

Milwaukee philanthropist Lynde B. Uihlein has given a second gift to UW-Milwaukee’s Center for Water Policy. The gift will help launch a two-year pilot program that will bring the expertise of the University of Wisconsin Law School to the new Center. 
Melissa Scanlan was named as the Water Law and Policy Scholar at both institutions and will carry out joint research and teaching in water law and policy, connecting the programs and faculty at both schools. Scanlan brings an interdisciplinary background in water law, science, policy and management.
“This collaboration is a chance to address pressing questions in the area of water law and policy,” said Margaret Raymond, dean of the UW Law School. “We are very excited to be working with the center and we appreciate Ms. Uihlein’s gift to increase both our research and teaching capacity.”
Earlier this year, a $2.6 million gift from Uihlein funded an endowed chair and center director. Recruitment continues for that position, which is expected to be filled by early 2012.
“The new center will build on strengths within UWM as well as create collaborations with other great institutions, such as UW Law School, to build multi-disciplinary teams of experts focused on providing solutions to critical water problems,” said David Garman, dean of UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences.
According to Garman, the Center will also link with other major water policy development centers, including those in Stockholm and Singapore.
 “In the field of water policy, the law has often framed the available policy options,” said Raymond. “This interdisciplinary collaboration could have wide-ranging implications for how we deal with failing water infrastructure, beach closings, and our national goal of providing ‘fishable, swimmable’ waters for future generations.”