July 29, 2020
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Nelson Institute – and the 100th birthday of the Institute's first director professor Reid A. Bryson – the Institute’s second director professor Arthur B. Sacks has established the Arthur B. Sacks Fund for Environmental Studies and Sustainability Research and Education. The $25,000 endowment, established in December 2019, supports annual undergraduate and graduate awards for excellence in environmental studies and sustainability.
In addition to the endowment, Arthur and his wife, Normandy Roden, had previously contributed to the student award funds on an annual basis since 2017. This has been a cornerstone of support for Nelson students providing six undergrad and grad scholarships. The generous additional gift from the Sacks to establish the Endowment will assure the legacy for future generations of students interested in forwarding the mission of the Nelson Institute.
Additionally, Arthur’s professional and personal commitment to the Institute spanned 17 years in academic and administrative appointments, from 1976 to 1993, when he left to become a Professor and Founding Director of the Division of Liberal Arts & International Studies at the Colorado School of Mines. During his time at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he worked to establish and strengthen the Institute’s graduate environmental studies degrees and undergraduate minor (now a major), teach environmental courses and serve on graduate committees, and participate in the development and oversight of the Institute’s research centers and its outreach and publication programs.
He describes this time period as a significant interdisciplinary development experience and continues to value the individuals – faculty, staff, and students – who are drawn to the Institute’s mission. Arthur notes, “We’ve been very impressed by the quality of the award recipients and the clarity and value of their academic contributions.”
Arthur and Normandy hope and expect to see the Sacks Fund endowment grow over time through their continued support. They also invite faculty, alumni, family, and friends to contribute any amount to the endowment principal and thereby recognize the Institute’s outstanding students.
Additionally, Sacks and the Nelson Institute would like to extend congratulations to the 2020 recipients that benefited from this endowment, Megan Spielbauer and Audrey Stanton. Spielbauer is studying Economics and Environmental Studies in addition to working towards a certificates in Public Policy and Chicanx and Latinx Studies. Upon graduation she hopes to attend graduate school and eventually work for programs that “promote sustainable and equitable economic development in the public sector.” Stanton is in her first year of graduate studies where she is exploring sustainability education. Her current research is “piloting a chemistry apparatus that greatly reduces laboratory water use, prevents costly floods, and trains students with innovative technology.”