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Spring 2014
A Tribute That Will Last
One of the most critical elements of school success is a great
principal, someone who is a strong leader who also inspires
excellence in students and staff. During his 34-year career with
Madison’s public schools, Len Rush was a tremendous educator and
motivating principal. Remembered as the “principal of principals,”
Len’s dedication to public education in Madison has left a lasting
impression on countless students, families, and staff members.
When Len passed away
in May 2011, his wife,
Jean, and Foundation
Board Member Kathy
Price, along with
educators with whom
he had worked, wanted
his legacy to continue
and established the
Len Rush Principal
Professional
Development
Endowment
Fund. Setting the
gold standard for
leadership, Len always
encouraged colleagues
to take on new roles
by taking advantage
of training programs
From top to bottom: Nicole Zanoni, Shelley
and professional
Glover, Len and Jean Rush, and Susan and
development. With this
Gary Hamblin
philosophy in mind, the
endowment in his name
is designed to provide resources for individuals interested in aspiring
to the challenging leadership role of principal within the Madison
Metropolitan School District.
Len Rush was devoted to Madison’s public schools, and through this
endowment, his legacy will continue to support our schools in perpetuity.
The fund named in his honor will support the educators of the future so they can
follow in Len’s footsteps and continue to enrich the lives of children.
The Foundation’s named endowment funds can transform a lifetime
of success into a gift of everlasting significance, and Len’s story is an
impeccable example of this. An endowment is a gift that perpetually
funds a project as a tribute to the person for
whom it is named. Many of our endowments
are created to honor a specific person, in
celebration of his or her values, traditions,
achievements, or cherished programs.
Named endowments are a perfect way to
leave an ongoing legacy for you, your family,
friends, neighbors, or colleagues. They
provide an annual gift to the students and
staff of Madison’s public schools while also
memorializing someone who has left a lifelong
impression on our community. Named funds
can be created during a person’s lifetime to
allow the honoree to be involved in how the
funds will be directed and see the impact their
fund creates.
A former athlete’s legacy lives on
through support of a girls’ track team.
An accomplished pianist’s love of music
transcends into Madison’s public elementary
schools. An alumni’s dedication to a school
continues by providing scholarships to
students who walked the same halls. Through
named endowments, the Foundation is
supporting many programs, students, and
staff across Madison.
We are honored to administer 21 named
endowments and welcome the opportunity
to share information about leaving a legacy for
future educational impact.
For information about establishing a named
endowment fund, contact the Foundation at 608-232-7820 or fmps@fmps.org.
FMPS Named Endowments
Barbara E. and Gerald Marwell Endowment Fund
Len Rush Principal Professional Development Endowment Fund
Barbara Ritchie Flanagan Endowment Fund
Louis Swedarsky Scholarship Endowment Fund
Brendan M. Scanlon Memorial Art Grant Endowment Fund for East High
Mary J. McClellan Elementary Music Endowment Fund
Carrie Macklin Ritz and Peter Ritz Endowment Fund
Marlys Sloup-Dale Wortley Reading Recovery Endowment Fund
Donald and Alice Benn Endowment Fund
Matt Vidulich Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund
Dr. Russell Hess Memorial Endowment Fund for School Nurse
Emergency Medical Needs
Nicole Zanoni Health Endowment Fund
Gould-Dickinson Pottery Endowment Fund
Shelley Glover Athletics Endowment Fund
Howard and Judith Landsman Endowment Fund
Karen Meissen Scholarship Endowment Fund
“Susan A. Hamblin Building Informed Citizens” Social Studies Field Trip
Endowment Fund
Kathy Bartell Memorial Endowment Fund for Music
Wozniak-Dickinson Visual Arts Endowment Fund
Schiavoni-Sturm Scholarship Endowment Fund for East High
Kathy Mosher Memorial Endowment Fund for East High
Keep up with the Foundation
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Visit our website
Go to www.fmps.org to learn more
about Foundation programs, fundraising
efforts and projects that make a positive
impact in our schools.
Donor Honor Roll: Kathy Price
Every donor has a unique and
personal reason for choosing to
make a gift to the Foundation.
Kathy Price has donated to
the Foundation for more than
13 years. As the district’s
Partnerships Coordinator,
Kathy deeply understands
the importance of building
sustaining partnerships to enrich
the education of students.
Kathy shares why she believes
it is important to support the
Foundation and what it means
for students’ futures.
Why do you feel it is important to give to the
Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools?
As a strong believer in the public school system, I’m convinced
that a strong preK-12 program is the way to ensure equitable
opportunity for all. The Foundation’s enthusiastic attitude supports
promising educational practices and exemplifies philanthropic
leadership. It’s a phenomenal ally and advocate of Madison’s
schools, and as a high-caliber, well-managed organization, it is richly
deserving of our support. Finally, the Foundation has provided a
structure for continuing to honor colleagues like my former mentor,
Len Rush.
What encouraged you to commemorate Len Rush by
helping to establish a fund in his honor?
Len was a leader throughout his career in terms of inspiring a
tireless work ethic, unrelenting commitment to personal excellence,
and wholehearted enthusiasm for improving the lives of children
and families through educational opportunity. His guidance and
support steered many District staff into leadership positions as well
as enhanced and dedicated careers in the classroom. The goal of
this fund is to recognize that spirit of excellence and drive, and make
it possible for future leaders to continue on their personal pathways
of inspired service.
Educators are the Foundation
A simple thank you can never express our gratitude for the work
that the school district employees do every day preparing students
for success in life. The generosity of staff extends well beyond
the classroom. Since the establishment of the Foundation, the
gifts from district employees have been essential in helping the
Foundation enhance the academic experiences of students.
This year 549 employees made gifts to the campaign, which is
an increase of 53%! The final gifts have been tallied and we are
excited to share that together MMSD employees raised nearly
$48,000! Special
recognition goes to
Shorewood Elementary
for the highest rate of
employee participation
at 86%. Other schools
with high percentages
of employee giving were
Jefferson Middle and
Gompers Elementary.
Thank you to everyone
who donated and to
the captains at each
school who made the
campaign a success!
Success for Foundation Initiatives
The Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools has established
three new funds and three new Adopt-a-School partnerships
since September of 2013. These initiatives are already creating
results, and we are excited to see how they will enrich students’
experiences in the future!
New FMPS Funds
Len Rush Principal Professional Development Endowment Fund
Louis Swedarsky Scholarship Endowment Fund
What advice would you give someone who is
considering starting an endowment fund in honor or
memory of a Madison educator or student?
First of all, I’d thank them for considering the idea of a fund - it
would create a lasting legacy for the person you wish to honor,
which lends powerful meaning to your efforts. Know that others
will welcome the opportunity you are providing for them to also pay
tribute. Finally, be assured that the Foundation will make it a very
easy and positive experience.
Transition Education Program Fund
New Adopt-a-School Partnerships
100state adopted Shabazz City High School.
Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Company adopted
Black Hawk Middle School.
Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin
adopted Sandburg Elementary School.
Join Kathy in supporting Madison’s Public Schools
and the future of our community by making your
gift or establishing a fund today!
For information about starting a fund or adopting a school,
contact the Foundation at 608-232-7820 or fmps@fmps.org.
We Have a Seat for You!
The Foundation for Madison’s Public School’s ninth annual Circle of
Friends Luncheon is right around the corner. This year’s luncheon,
on Tuesday, May 6 at the Alliant Energy Center, offers a unique
opportunity to learn about the Foundation’s inspirational work to
enrich our schools and provide life-changing experiences for Madison’s
students.
We look forward to celebrating ingenuity and innovation in our schools
by recognizing MMSD teachers and staff who received grants from
the Foundation for the 2013-14 school year as well as honoring our
distinguished community leader, Henry C. Hart. In 2007, Professor
Hart was inspired to create the School Breakfast Fund, which currently
provides more than 60,000 breakfasts annually to economically
disadvantaged students.
In addition to learning more about the Foundation’s ongoing work in our
schools, last year over 700 attendees were also entertained by the students of
If you wish to host a table and invite seven friends to join you at this
O’Keeffe Middle School pictured here with their teacher Abigail Swetz.
special event, there is still time! You can also register as a guest at one
of the Foundation tables if you prefer. We ask all guests to make a
minimum gift of $100, and these investments will benefit the students
and Madison’s public schools far into the future. For more information about the Circle of Friends Luncheon, please call the Foundation, visit
our website, or email us at fmps@fmps.org.
We hope this event continues to inspire and encourage excellence throughout Madison’s public schools. We appreciate the 2014 Circle of
Friends sponsors and table captains who have already committed to creating a brighter future for our students and community!
2014 Circle of Friends Table Captains
Anne Arnesen
Mary Bartzen
Mary Kay Battaglia
Jane Belmore
Linda Bochert
Nan and Bob Brien
Darcy C. Burke
Cathy Caro-Bruce
Carol J. Carstensen
Maurice Cheeks
Connie Chesnik
Karen and Alan Crossley
Greta Decoster
Sue Denholm
Jessica Doyle
John B. Duffy
Nancy Evans
Karen Falkner
Clyde Gaines
Barbara and Chet Gerlach
Cathy Gillman
Susan Goodwin
Sandy Gunderson
Steve T. Hartley
Stephanie Hayden
Elizabeth A. Heiner
Melinda Heinritz
Chris Hodge
Betsy Huebel
Mary Kay Johnson
Sari Ratner Judge
Mary and Terry Kelly
Barb Keresty
Howard Landsman
Elaine Lohr
Tim McIlwain
Annette Miller
MMSD Leadership Team
Deb Neff
Kathie Nichols
Marveen and Russ Phelps
Hannah Pinkerton
Kathy Price
Judy Reed
Rae Carol Rocca
Kelly Ruppel
Jean C. Rush
Melissa Scholz
Orange and Dean Schroeder
Jane and David Villa
Michael Walsh
Torry Winn
2014 Circle of Friends Sponsors
Underwriters
Associated Bank
Bob & Nan Brien
Housing Ministries
Stickney & McIlwain
at Lincoln Financial
Group
Sub-Zero / Wolf Appliance
Co.
Supporters
American Family
Insurance Company
Alice Benn
BMO Harris Bank
Boardman & Clark LLP
CUNA Mutual Group
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Great Lakes Higher Education
Guaranty Corporation
Herzing University - Madison
Advocates
Access Community Health
Centers
American Girl
Anchor Foundation, Inc.
Buttonwood Partners, Inc.
Edgewood College
First Business Bank
Peg and Dan Geisler
Hausmann-Johnson
Insurance
J.H. Findorff & Son Inc.
Johnson Bank
Lindsay, Stone & Briggs
Madison College
Madison Community
Foundation
Madison Gas & Electric
Foundation, Inc.
Madison Media Institute
Madison Region Economic
Partnership
MassMutual
McKinstry
Mohs, MacDonald, Widder,
Paradise, & Van Note, LLC
Sara Investment Real Estate
St. Mary’s Hospital
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
Summit Credit Union
The Great Dane Pub &
Brewing Co., Inc.
The QTI Group
University of Wisconsin
- Madison School of
Education
University Research Park, Inc.
UW Health / UW Health &
Unity Health Insurance
WEA Trust
Wipfli, LLP
Woodman’s Food Market, Inc.
WPS Health Insurance
Gift-In-Kind Sponsors
Andy Garcia Productions
Badger Bus
Full Compass Rentals
Lindsay, Stone & Briggs
Presorted
Non Profit
US Postage Paid
Madison WI
Permit #47
455 Science Drive, Suite 130
Madison WI 53711
608-232-7820
fmps@fmps.org
www.fmps.org
Read how the Foundation
is honoring those who
create a lasting impact
for students.
From the Director’s Desk
Photo: Amber Arnold, BRAVA Magazine
Dear Foundation Friends:
Soon after becoming Executive Director of the Foundation I had the pleasure of joining Alice
Benn, a retired educator and former Foundation board member, for lunch. Alice and I chatted
well past lunch about the Foundation’s beginning and the changes she had seen during her
involvement. When I asked her why she established an endowment fund in her and her late
husband’s name, she shared “to some organizations, my gift would be a drop in the bucket but I
know my gift to the Foundation will be transformational for students.” I never forgot what Alice
said to me that day, because I accepted it as her vision for the Foundation.
Alice knew exactly what it meant to transform lives; she had been an educator and a principal.
Each year the Donald and Alice Benn Endowment Fund provides a scholarship to a deserving East High School student
to continue their education. Sadly Alice passed away earlier this year, I hope that she knew that her words inspired me to
ensure the Foundation’s work creates more opportunities to change students’ lives.
Alice taught me that anyone can leave a legacy and make a difference in the lives of
those who follow. She spent her entire life giving to others, and the Don and Alice Benn
Endowment Fund will continue providing scholarships to students in perpetuity. The
impact of her gift will have a ripple effect for generations to come. Just like Alice, you
can create a named endowment to change lives and transform our schools. With your
continued support, we can inspire every child to excel.
Warmly,
Stephanie & Alice
Stephanie L. Hayden