Government–University Collaboration at the Root of The Wisconsin Idea

• Author: Tommy Thompson
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/puar.12675
• Published date: 01 November 2016
• Date: 01 November 2016

848 Public Administration Review • November | December 2016

Public Administration Review,

Vol. 76, Iss. 6, pp. 848–849. © 2016 by

The American Society for Public Administration.

DOI: 10.1111/puar.12675.

Tommy Thompson was the longest-

serving governor in Wisconsin history,

from 1987 to 2001, and then served as

the United States Secretary of Health and

Human Services until 2005.

E-mail : yackee@wisc.edu

Perspective

W isconsin has a well-earned national

reputation for public policy innovation,

due in large part to the cooperation and

genuine partnerships between government officials

and university scholars. Working together, we have

met immediate challenges, chosen policies yielding

better long-term results for our citizens, and inspired

novel approaches that embrace and improve our self-

governance. This model, well-known in our state as

The Wisconsin Idea , also serves as the guiding principle

of the University of Wisconsin (UW).

Thanks to this century-old philosophy, Wisconsin

was one of the first states to adopt child labor laws,

pass the women ’ s suffrage amendment, and reform its

welfare program.

The genesis of The Wisconsin Idea is attributed to UW

President Charles Van Hise, who in a 1905 speech

declared: “I shall never be content until the beneficent

influence of the University reaches every home in the

state.”

Van Hise and his UW classmate Robert M. La Follette

forged close ties between the university and the state

government. Faculty experts consulted with legislators

to help craft many influential and groundbreaking

laws. La Follette, the namesake of the UW ’ s School of

Public Affairs, served as governor from 1901 to 1906

and represented Wisconsin in the United States House

of Representatives and Senate.

As a proud UW alumnus, I carried The Wisconsin

Idea with me as Governor and as Secretary of the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services. The

collaboration that inspired Van Hise was fundamental

to how I would lead and govern. Why? Because good

policy makes good politics. The citizens of Wisconsin

agreed.

The Wisconsin Idea informs how best to identify and

frame a public challenge or opportunity. It expects

leaders to introduce their solutions and proposals

that fix or improve. It encourages leaders to solicit

views from all quarters. It uplifts the quality and

tone of healthy debate, so vital to our republican

democracy. And, it results in the best public policy.

It is a powerful principle that relies on all citizens,

educators, researchers, and policy makers to engage.

And, it is critical to the continued success of our state,

our nation, and the society we maintain, build, and

pass on.

I was honored this spring to address the most recent

graduates of the Robert M. La Follette School of

Public Affairs during a ceremony in the Assembly

Chamber of Wisconsin ’ s magnificent Capitol—the

same room where I began my political career and

where, as governor, I spoke so many times to report to

and inspire my former colleagues and our citizens.

I told the graduates to be bold and fearless. I

challenged them to always do their best. And, I

thanked them for their commitment to public

service. It was important to me because La Follette

School graduates have the ability to critically analyze

information, challenge assumptions, and defend

their positions. These skills and knowledge are the

threads of a strong and vibrant society. And, with this

accomplishment, they demonstrate their desire to do

more and do better. I was glad to encourage them.

Simply put, we need these people to make our

government—local, state, and federal—operate

effectively and efficiently. They represent the integrity

and honor we need in the United States and across the

world.

Among the La Follette School ’ s Class of 2016 was a

Rhodes Scholar. Many were graduating with a wealth

of experience across all levels of government, and I

congratulated those going to work at their new posts

in public service. La Follette ’ s alumni now populate

some of the highest administrative posts across the

government. They have prepared for and answered the

call to serve.

Tommy Thompson

Government–University Collaboration at the Root

of The Wisconsin Idea