A little over a century ago, Wisconsin started an experiment.
The idea, crazy for its time, was that honest, competent government, partnered with thoughtful, moderate, progressive reform would improve the lives of the state’s citizens. It was first championed by a Republican, Robert M. “Fighting Bob” La Follette, but later found life in state politics on both sides of the aisle as well as in big national policy including the New Deal, New Frontier and Great Society programs. It has deeply influenced political thought in the state ever since.
For the university, the Wisconsin Idea is pretty simple: education should influence people’s lives beyond the boundaries of the classroom.