Gathering in Gratitude
November 9, 2026
5:00 p.m.
Celebrate Connection
The School of Nursing invites you to gather in gratitude and celebration as we honor the people, partnerships, and philanthropy that advance nursing education, research, and leadership.
Join us for an evening celebrating faculty achievement, honoring the legacy of Dean Emerit Linda D. Scott, recognizing transformational philanthropy, and reflecting on the collective impact of those who invest in our future.
Details
When: November 9, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Where: Signe Skott Cooper Hall Auditorium
What: A celebration to honor recent milestones, recognize the impact and strength of our school community, and celebrate partnerships. A reception will follow the program in the auditorium.
Please RSVP by October 23.
Primary actions
Parking
Parking: Complimentary parking will be available in Lot 60 (801 Walnut St.) after 4:30 p.m.
About the Event
During the evening, guests will have the opportunity to:
- Celebrate faculty excellence during an investiture ceremony to install five faculty members into endowed professorships and chairs, recognizing both their achievements and the generosity of the donors who support these distinguished positions.
- Honor the legacy of Dean Emerit Linda D. Scott through the presentation of the posthumous Canary Savage Girardeau Award for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, recognizing her enduring commitment to advancing health equity and access to care.
- Learn about the impact of philanthropy at the School of Nursing through updates on the Transform the Future Fund and the Linda D. Scott Inspiration Scholarship Fund, which help support students and sustain excellence across the school.
- Celebrate transformative investments in the future of nursing with the public announcement of the Linda Kautza Procci Dean’s Leadership Fund and matching support from the Herman and Gwen Shapiro Foundation, which will help strengthen leadership and innovation at the School of Nursing for generations to come.
We look forward to gathering with colleagues, alumni, donors, and friends to recognize the partnerships that make lasting impact possible and to celebrate the School’s continued momentum and success.
2026 Ceremony of Investiture
These five faculty members will be formally installed into endowed professorships and chairs during the investiture ceremony, recognizing both their achievements and the generosity of the donors who support these distinguished positions.
Dr. Michelle Chui
Professor; Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor
Trustees of the William F. Vilas Estate
Dr. Maichou Lor
Associate Professor; Helen Denne Schulte Professor
Helen Denne Schulte Trust | Helen Denne Schulte Professorship Funds
Dr. Kitty Montgomery
Associate Professor; Florence Blake Professor of Child-Family Nursing
The Estate of Florence Blake | Florence Blake Nursing of Children Fund
Dr. Megan Zuelsdorff
Associate Professor; Nursing Board of Visitors Professor of Rural Health and Aging
School of Nursing Board of Visitors
Dr. Elliot Tebbe
Associate Professor; Mary and Carl Gulbrandsen Chair in Health Equity
Mary W. and Carl E. Gulbrandsen
Currently Endowed Chairs and Professors
Dr. Lisa Bratzke
Jay and Katie Sekelsky Professor for Education Innovation
Jay and Katie Sekelsky
Dr. Kristine Kwekkeboom Lillian S. Moehlman Bascom Professor in Nursing
The Estate of Lillian S. Moehlman
Dr. Anne Letocha
Frederick P. and Deborah A. Schwartz Professor in Nursing
Frederick and Deborah Schwartz and the Shapiro Foundation
Dr. Linda D. Oakley
Louis J. and Phyllis Clark Jacobs Professor in Mental Health
Louis J. and Phyllis Clark Jacobs
Dr. Teri Pipe
Richard E. Sinaiko Professor in Health Care Leadership
Richard E. and Patricia Sinaiko
Dr. Kristen Pecanac
Helen Denne Schulte Professor
Helen Denne Schulte Trust | Helen Denne Schulte Professorship Funds
Dr. Tonya Roberts
Karen Frick Pridham Professor in Family-Centered Care
Dr. Karen Frick Pridham and Walt Pridham
Dr. Barb King
Charlotte Jane and Ralph A. Rodefer Chair
Charlotte Jane and Ralph A. Rodefer
Dr. Linsey Steege
Mary and Carl Gulbrandsen Chair in Health Informatics & Systems Innovation
Mary W. and Carl E. Gulbrandsen
Special Acknowledgement
In addition to the above donors, we are grateful to UW-Madison alumni John and Tashia Morgridge, whose philanthropic gift to the university inspired transformative faculty support across campus. Named for its purpose to promote investment in new chairs and professorships by providing matching funds, the Morgridge Match led to the creation of these endowed positions in the School of Nursing.
- Karen Frick Pridham Professor in Family-Centered Care
- Louis J. and Phyllis Clark Jacobs Professor in Mental Health
- Mary and Carl Gulbrandsen Chair in Health Equity
- Mary and Carl Gulbrandsen Chair in Health Informatics & Systems Innovation
- Richard E. Sinaiko Professor in Health Care Leadership
- Jay and Katie Sekelsky Professor for Education Innovation
- Nursing Board of Visitors Professor of Rural Health and Aging
Frequently asked questions
Yes — please click here to RSVP by October 23.
This event is designed to reinforce our connections. However, we know that the elements of our program are important to our audiences beyond those who can travel to gather in person. While interactive remote participation (such as a Q&A) is not available, we are happy to provide a livestream link for remote viewing.
Please RSVP here to attend virtually. You’ll receive the livestream link in two reminder emails—one sent a week before the event and another the day prior.
An investiture ceremony, such as the one that will take place during our Gathering in Gratitude and Celebration, is the formal installation of faculty members into named chairs or professorships, which have been funded by donors to provide financial support for research, scholarship, and innovation.
Holding a named/endowed chair or professorship is an honor and a professional milestone. The ceremony highlights the professional milestone, the impact of faculty excellence and innovation, and expresses gratitude to donors for their investment in this important part of the School’s mission.
Research led by faculty at the School of Nursing shapes health care and improves health trajectories across populations. Generous and reliable support and visible acknowledgement of our tenured faculty, though named chairs and professorships, help assure that our tradition of impactful science and excellent research education will continue well into the future.
Questions?
Please contact our Event Coordinator Beth Sevenz.