Being a Wisconsin native and as a 'walk-on' to the University of Wisconsin, it was a privilege to graduate in pharmacy and play Big Ten basketball in the 1950s. Our contribution to University Athletics, the Athletic Training Education Program and the sports medicine facilities is very important to me.

Curt Mueller (’57 BS Pharm)

The PEOPLE Program

Make a Gift to the PEOPLE ProgramThe UW-Madison PEOPLE Program (Pre-College Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence) seeks to increase college enrollment and graduation rates of Wisconsin students of color and those who come from an economically disadvantaged background. The program focuses on promoting students’ pursuit of higher education, particularly at UW-Madison. PEOPLE was created in direct response to the achievement gaps among Wisconsin students of different ethnic backgrounds and to meet the growing demand for an educated and diverse workforce.

PEOPLE students enter the program as early as the second grade and continue through their college years. Upon completion of the program and upon admission to the UW-Madison, the participant is eligible for a five-year tuition scholarship to UW-Madison. In addition, excellent programming and strong leadership have yielded undeniable results:
  • 99% of PEOPLE students graduate from high school
  • 94% enroll in some form of higher education
  • 52% enroll in UW-Madison, and 91% are retained at UW-Madison.
Group of PEOPLE Program participants

Group of PEOPLE Program participants.

To date, over 1,000 students from Madison, Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha and the Ho-Chunk, Lac Courte Oreilles, Menominee, Lac du Flambeau and Bad River nations have participated in intensive summer programs at UW-Madison, as well as year-round academic and enrichment programs.

PEOPLE is Wisconsin’s largest and most successful precollege program; however, securing funding for scholarships and operations remains a priority. Demand for the PEOPLE program grows and interest far exceeds capacity. In 2006-07, only one in three applicants could be accepted.

Gifts to the PEOPLE program can fund scholarships for elementary, middle, high school or undergraduate students. Annual gifts of any amount are sought and welcomed. In addition, scholarships may be named in honor of donors or their loved ones. Endowment gifts, also named, are encouraged to help ensure the long-term viability of the program. Gifts at this level provide support for a scholarship in perpetuity, and allow generations of students to realize their educational goals.