Lawrence University has lost one of its most generous benefactors with the passing of Hugh Denison. A 1968 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Lawrence, Denison died at his Milwaukee home June 9 after a lengthy battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 70 years old.

Voted the outstanding economics major of his graduating class, Denison became a highly successful businessman. He joined Heartland Advisors in 1985 as director of equity research and helped grow the Milwaukee-based investment firm into a multibillion-dollar money management company.

In 1996 at the age of 50, he experienced an epiphany and left the company to work with children. He earned a teaching certificate and spent eight years working with Junior Achievement, the Boy Scouts, YMCA and volunteering as a third-grade teacher in Milwaukee’s inner city schools teaching business principles.

In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jim Kitzinger, principal and portfolio manager at KLCM Advisors Inc. in Milwaukee, said, “There are a lot of guys in our business who throw money at problems. Hugh threw himself at that problem.”

He returned to Heartland in 2004 as a portfolio manager, retiring in 2013 as senior vice president. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett proclaimed the day of his “second” retirement as “Hugh Denison Day.”

A decorated combat veteran who served in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy, Denison was widely respected as a man of high integrity. He was renowned for the deep and lasting relationships he built, not only in his professional life, but also in the personal projects into which he poured himself, leaving indelible imprints on those he worked with.

Philanthropy and volunteerism were at the core of Denison’s life and few benefited more from his generous gifts of time, talent and treasure than Lawrence, which honored him with the university’s Jupp Outstanding Service Award in 2012.

He was currently serving as the chair of the university’s Full Speed to Full Need Campaign to bolster significantly endowed scholarship funding for Lawrence students. Playing an instrumental role through his personal fundraising efforts, the campaign has already raised more than $60 million toward a goal of $75 million.

Denison was also a member of the university’s Campaign Planning Task Force and previously served on the President’s Advisory Council. As co-chair of the Legacy Circle National Council, Denison tirelessly promoted the university’s planned giving program to classmates and peers at events and through personal testimonials. He often participated as a panelist in the Lawrence Scholars in Business program.

As a member of the Lawrence University Board of Trustees’ development and capital More Light! campaign committees, Denison was instrumental in the university’s fundraising efforts, traveling across the country to develop strong relationships with alumni and supporters of the college, and encouraging donors to realize their full philanthropic potential. For his many efforts, Denison was recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals with the Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer Award in November 2015.

A native of Sheboygan, Denison and his wife, Mary, provided leadership gifts in support of the Lawrence Fund, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship program and the Warch Bjorklunden endowment. Members of the Legacy Circle, the Denisons have established a generous provision in their estate plans for the Hugh and Mary Denison Endowed Fund in appreciation for Lawrence and their desire to enhance educational opportunities for future Lawrentians.

In addition to Lawrence, Denison’s community engagement included serving as the former president of the Board of Trustees for the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and the Sheboygan Arts Foundation. He also served on the board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Skylight Opera Theatre and the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Long-time service to Lakeland College, including guest lecturer, advisor to the president and a member of the college’s Foundation Committee earned Denison the title of honorary alumnus in 2013.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, and a son, Ross, of Portland, Ore., a sister, Judy Demuese, and brother-in-law, Jerry Doty. A memorial service celebrating Denison’s life will be held in August in Milwaukee.

As the Lawrence community mourns the passing of an exemplar Lawrentian, it celebrates his ceaseless gratitude, his positive spirit, his belief in his alma mater and his tireless efforts to sustain and improve the communities he called home.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

When war erupted in Lebanon in the summer of 2006 between the Israeli military and Hezbollah paramilitary forces, Christopher Murray was serving as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.

Under his direction, one of the largest overseas evacuations of Americans in recent history, involving 15,000 citizens, was organized to secure safe passage from the war zone.

Murray will be among five Lawrence or Milwaukee-Downer College alumni recognized for career achievements, contributions to the betterment of society or volunteer service to Lawrence June 18-21 during the college’s annual alumni Reunion.

More than 900 alumni and guests from 43 states and two countries are expected to attend the weekend festivities.

The alumni awards will be presented Saturday, June 21 at the Reunion Convocation at 11 a.m. in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.

Members of the Lawrence 50-Year Connection, a cohort of alumni who graduated at least 50 years ago from Lawrence or Milwaukee-Downer, kick off this year’s Reunion activities with a series of panel presentations and small-group discussions.

The 2015 alumni awards and the recipients.

• Lucia Russell Briggs Distinguished Achievement Award — Ambassador Christopher Murray, Class of 1975, Etterbeek, Belgium. The award recognizes a Lawrence or Milwaukee-Downer graduate of more than 15 years for outstanding career achievement. The award honors the second president of Milwaukee-Downer College, one of the most beloved and influential figures in that college’s history

Murray has spent more than 30 years as a U.S. foreign service officer and currently serves as the political advisor at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, an appointment he received in the Fall of 2013. He previously spent three years as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Congo. It was during a three-year appointment (2004-07) in Beirut that he organized the American evacuation.

Other assignments abroad during his career have include chief of the political section at the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria; political officer at the U.S. Mission to the European Communities in Brussels, Belgium; economic officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; and consular officer at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica.

He credits his Lawrence education for helping him navigate the evacuation in Lebanon.

“There were no rulebooks or instruction manuals, as a wartime evacuation of so many American civilians had never been done before,” said Murray, who earned his degree in government at Lawrence. “It was my Lawrence education that enabled me to put the pieces together, through messages to the American community, analyzing what it would take to keep the embassy open and running, and most importantly, securing the helicopters and U.S. Navy ships to carry American citizens to safety in Cyprus. It was truly a liberal arts education that enabled me to do this.”

• The George B. Walter ’36 Service to Society Award — Dr. James Lace, Class of 1970, Salem, Ore.  The award recognizes an alumnus or alumna of Lawrence or Milwaukee-Downer who best exemplifies the ideals of a liberal education through its application to socially useful ends in the community, the nation or the world. This award honors George B. Walter ’36, faculty member, coach and dean of men, whose work at the college and beyond was guided by his conviction that every individual can and should make a positive difference in the world.

A still-practicing pediatrician with Childhood Health Associates of Salem after 37 years in the profession, and a professor of clinical pediatrics at Oregon Health and Sciences University, Dr. Lace has established a national and international reputation for advocacy on children’s health issues.

His involvement with orphans and other vulnerable children in Tanzania in 2002 led to his founding of the Yatima Group Fund to collect donations for his work there. He serves on the board of three children-related NGOs in Tanzania and is a consultant pediatrician at Mt. Meru Hospital in Arusha, Tanzania, providing teaching to improve the overall care of children in the region.

His compassion has led him to volunteer his medical skills in Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami, in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake and in Peru in 2014 after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake last August.

Earlier this year, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce honored Lace with its annual Distinguished Service Award and in 2010, he was recognized with the Marion-Polk County Medical Society’s President’s Achievement Award.

Lace said Nobel Prize winner Dr. Albert Schweitzer, and his reverence for life in all forms, provided inspiration during his own medical pursuits.

“The image of the medical missionary working in some remote area of Africa resonated with me,” said Lace, a Russian studies major while at Lawrence. “I managed to keep the image with me while I pursued my medical career. I never lost my desire to reach out beyond my medical world here in the U.S. to work with patients and especially children in developing countries as a medical volunteer. I would encourage any student contemplating a career in medicine to reach out and learn as much as possible about the world we live in. We don’t need military revolutionaries to change the world. We need informed and compassionate people who dedicate their lives to promote the health and welfare of each person.”

• The Gertrude Breithaupt Jupp M-D’18 Outstanding Service Award — Susan Nelson Goldsmith, Class of 1965, Phoenix, Ariz., and Sue Pepper Joys, M-D Class of 1951, Valpariso, Ind. The award recognizes an alumnus or alumna of Lawrence or Milwaukee-Downer after his/her 15th Cluster Reunion who has provided outstanding service to Lawrence University. This award honors Gertrude Breithaupt Jupp, voted Milwaukee-Downer alumna of the year in 1964 for her long-standing service to the college as president of the alumnae association board, class secretary and public relations officer.

Goldsmith, a member of Lawrence’s Board of Trustees from 2001-07, has been a highly active volunteer for the college. She currently serves on the President’s Advisory Council, is a former member of the Legacy Circle National Council of Volunteers and served as an event volunteer for the “More Light!” campaign. She is the co-chair of her 50th reunion and also served on her 35th and 40th reunion committees.

Her volunteer energy extends into her local community as well where she has served on the Phoenix Education Commission, the Scottsdale School District Governing Board, the board of one of the country’s premier resident theatre companies and various political campaigns.

Goldsmith sees her engagement as doing her part to bend “the arc of the universe toward justice,” work she says that requires universal participation.

“I’ve been incredibly lucky to be able to choose the ways I can lend my weight to the bending,” said Goldsmith. “I’m motivated by the idea that education is huge part of creating the force needed.

“Lawrence is a place of possibility, to test and retest yourself, to find and grow into opportunities,” she added. “While I have fond memories of my time at Lawrence 50 years ago, it is not the past that ties me to Lawrence today. It is the present. Today’s students demonstrate that Lawrence continues to be a place of possibility for students and the college has identified opportunities for today’s young people.”

Joys has served Lawrence as a class agent since 2006, was a long-time volunteer with the Legacy Circle National Council and is a former member of the Milwaukee-Downer Alumnae Association Board of Directors. She played a leadership role in planning for her class’s 60th, 50th and 40th reunions. Professionally, she enjoyed a long and meaningful career working with the Girls Scouts of the U.S.A.

Much the same way Lawrence does, Joys said her Milwaukee-Downer liberal arts education emphasized service to society.

“That ignited in me a desire to use my skills in a vocation where I could make a difference,” said Joys, who had two brothers earn their bachelor’s degrees from Lawrence. “This led me to pursue a career with the Girl Scouts followed by many volunteer roles in my retirement years.

“I have been impressed with the many ways in which Lawrence has strived to ensure that the legacy of my alma mater lives on,” she added.

• Presidential Award, Dale Schuh, Class of 1970, Stevens Point Presented to an alumnus or alumna of Lawrence University or Milwaukee-Downer College whose exemplary leadership and notable actions have contributed to the betterment of the entire Lawrence University community.

A dedicated and highly successful business leader, Schuh spent his entire 41-year professional career — one that began as an actuarial intern while still a student at Lawrence — with Sentry Insurance. He served as Sentry’s CEO and chairman of the board for his last 16 years with the company before retiring in 2013. Under his leadership, Sentry doubled in size and net worth, adding more than 300 employees to its home office.

Schuh’s commitment and vision have been highly valued as a member of the Lawrence Board of Trustees since 2008, where he serves as chair of the finance committee. He also led the search committee that resulted in the hiring of Mark Burstein as Lawrence’s 16^th president in 2013. He and his wife, Annette, established a scholarship in 2009 to support first-generation college students attending Lawrence.

He has shared his expertise for more than a decade as a member of the board of directors of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, a nonprofit organization that provides Wisconsin voters and taxpayers, students, teachers, business leaders and public officials with accurate, objective information about the operation of Wisconsin’s government.

Despite what he calls “a whimsical and forever changing future,” Schuh says the impact a Lawrence education has had on thousands of graduates is the result of “a driving desire to perpetuate, cultivate, endorse and continue to make accessible
 the Lawrence learning experience.”

“Preservation of the essence of Lawrence requires continual nurturing of an intimate, welcoming and supportive community where engaged, individualized and rigorous learning is the norm and personal discovery its reward,” said Schuh.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Lawrence University graduate Hilary Haskell, an English Language Learner (ELL) teacher at Appleton North High School, was honored April 12 in Madison with an award from the Wisconsin Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (WACTE).

Haskell received WACTE’s Early Career Educator Award during ceremonies at the Concourse Hotel.

The award honors an outstanding educator within the first three years of his/her professional career. It recognized teachers for having a positive impact on their schools or communities, their innovation in designing learning experiences and their advocacy for students.  Haskell was one of 42 teachers state-wide honored by WACTE.

Haskell graduated from Lawrence in 2012 with a student-designed major in international comparative education. Certified to teach Spanish, ELL and bilingual, she joined the faculty at Appleton North in the fall of 2013.

She was selected for the award by faculty of Lawrence’s college and conservatory teacher education program. Each institution that belongs to WACTE is invited to select a recipient for the award.

Associate Professor of Education and Bee Connell Mielke Professor of Education Stewart Purkey, said “teachers in general, and especially talented young educators such as Hilary, deserve all the recognition, celebration and thanks we can offer.

“Lawrence and Lawrence’s teacher education program are honored to be able to recognize Hilary with this award,” Purkey added.

Appleton North Principal James Huggins described Haskell as “a very bright star in the North Community.” He also cited her for a “sincere and genuine desire to make a difference in and advocate for those she serves in our ELL population.”

David Pynenberg, associate principal at North and Haskell’s direct supervisor, hailed her for “a tremendous job breathing new life into the (ELL) program.

“What I love about Hilary is her passion for learning,” said Pynenberg. “She works very hard to serve her students’ needs and has done an exceptional job differentiating her instruction.”

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.