The roots of the Morgridge Center begin in 1972, when the Volunteer Services Office was established at Union South. In response to a growing interest in civic engagement activities on college campuses, UW-Madison alumni John and Tashia Morgridge endowed the creation of a center for public service in 1994. Two years later, the Volunteer Services Office became the Morgridge Center for Public Service and moved to its permanent home in the Red Gym in 1998.
The Morgridge Center promotes citizenship and learning through service within local, national and global communities. The Center builds on the Wisconsin Idea, a strong tradition of service to the community by students, faculty, staff and alumni. The Center is a leader in:
- Engaging students in learning and leadership through service to local, regional, national and international communities
- Assisting faculty and other teaching staff in the design of service-learning and community-based research experiences
- Creating sustainable partnerships with community organizations, citizen groups and local coalitions to meet identified community needs