Sociology Funds

Help Us Make a Difference

General Department of Sociology Funds

Department of Sociology Annual Fund

Specifically designated funds to address key initiatives, the greatest needs and the most immediate areas seeking support within the Department of Sociology.

Robert M. and Taissa Hauser Fund

The present purpose of the fund, according to Bob and Tess’ own wishes, is to support graduate training and research in sociology. As the fund grows it may serve other purposes that would enhance the department’s sociological profile (e.g., a Hauser chair).

Sociology Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund

Designated to provide resources to nurture, honor, and celebrate the contributions of a rich diversity of students, faculty and staff who, through research, teaching, and service improve our collective humanity. Funds may be used to support efforts by the Department to enhance diversity and promote equity among faculty, staff and students.

Undergraduate Support

Andrea Michelle Sperka Undergraduate Sociology Fund

An undergraduate scholarship fund in memory of dedicated Sociology student, Andrea Michelle Sperka. Throughout her undergraduate years, Andrea carried a demanding academic schedule while working to help meet her educational costs. In addition, Andrea often served as a volunteer, including her work with homeless children in Madison and in a township in South Africa. Andrea said, “Studying sociology helped me better understand the impact of a person’s conditions on their life chances…” She also acknowledged, “My sociology degree has challenged my pre-existing ideas about society and individuals, and made me confident in my ability to question the world around me and realize the possibility for change.”

Alex and Demiana Hanna Pride Scholarship

An undergraduate scholarship for students who are actively committed to and engaged in activities which advocate for and support the LGBTQ community and who are likely to use their education to continuing investment in the LGBTQ community. Alex Hanna earned her PhD in Sociology from our department in 2016.

Luvella and Alfred Reschke Undergraduate Scholarship

An undergraduate scholarship fund in memory of Alfred Reschke, a former student and assistant in the Sociology Department at the University of Wisconsin. It was endowed by a generous bequest from his wife, Luvella K. Reschke. The scholarship supports outstanding undergraduate students in the Department of Sociology.

The Joann and Joe Elder Undergraduate Fund in Sociology

Honoring long time undergraduate advisor, Joann Elder, and Sociology Faculty member, Joe Elder, this fund used to support undergraduates in the Department of Sociology. The purpose of the Joann and Joe Elder Undergraduate Fund in Sociology is to increase the visibility and community of undergraduate Sociology majors at the UW-Madison. This purpose may be accomplished by: providing funds for undergraduates to attend regional and/or national meetings/conferences; providing speakers and/or other programs to increase the visibility of Sociology majors; facilitate the organization of an undergraduate Sociology club and/or an Alpha Kappa Delta chapter; reimbursing faculty members or graduate students for offering a special seminar for undergraduate Sociology majors; supplementing support for undergraduate Sociology majors’ research projects; providing funds for undergraduates to explore linkages between Sociology and contemporary social issues. Please note this list is meant to be illustrative not exhaustive.

Graduate Support

Graduate Student Support Fund

This fund shall be used to financially support graduate students in the Department. Its original intention is to substantially increase our capacity to support graduate students going to conferences to present their work earlier in their graduate student career and with greater frequency.

Calvin L. Beale Endowment for Graduate Awards in Sociology

A fund in memory of Calvin Beale, an alumnus, UW collaborator and Senior Demographer at the Economic Research Service, USDA. This fund supports Sociology Graduate Students. This fund was established by the nieces and nephews of Calvin L. Beale who was a strong advocate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison and in particular its Sociology Department from which he received a masters degree in 1981. Mr. Beale was for many years the Senior Demographer at the Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. His research focused on rural population trends, regional studies, and ethnic minorities. His family hopes that this endowment will perpetuate in some way the spirit of their uncle who fervently believed that understanding the people behind the statistics is the very essence of sociological research. This fund will be used to assist one or more graduate students each year.

Hankin Sociology Endowment Fund

This endowment fund was established to provide support for graduate students currently enrolled in the Department of Sociology. It is intended to honor a graduate student who has distinguished himself/herself among their peers.

John L. Gillin Fellowship in Sociology

A fund established in memory of John L. Gillin, a distinguished sociologist at the University of Wisconsin. This fund benefits generously supports graduate students studying Sociology.

Katherine DuPre Lumpkin Award in Sociology

A fund in memory of Katherine DuPre Lumpkin, alumna and Professor of Sociology at Wells College. This fund supports an award for the best graduate student dissertation in the Department of Sociology. Katherine Lumpkin received her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1928. She had a career as a Professor of Sociology at Wells College with a focus on social justice and southern history. This Fund supports an award for the best graduate student dissertation in the Social Sciences in the Department of Sociology at UW-Madison.

Marwell Fund – Graduate Student Award

This fund was established by Gerald and Barbara E. Marwell, to support and recruit top Graduate Students in the Department of Sociology. Gerald and Barbara E. Marwell established the Marwell Fund to support graduate training and research in sociology. Gerald Marwell is Emeriti Professor from the Department of Sociology and Barbara is an alum from the School of Education, MS ’67, Guidance & Counseling and PhD ’75, Educational Psychology. The purpose is for supporting the recruitment of highly talented sociology and rural sociology graduate students by offering award supplements.

Professor Archie O. Haller Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Professor Archie O. Haller Memorial Scholarship Fund is used to support graduate students in the Departments of Sociology or Community and Environmental Sociology with a primary focus on research methods, including: research design, sampling techniques, clearly operationalized concepts, data analysis, table construction and graphic display of findings. This fund honors the memory of Professor Archie O. Haller, who earned his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1954 and returned to Madison as Professor of Sociology and Rural Sociology in 1965. He retired from Madison in 1994. Professor Haller contributed to work on status attainment early in his career, exploring the social psychological determinants of status attainment in what became known as the Wisconsin model of status attainment. Over the course of his career, he became increasingly engaged with work in Brazil, first by extending his work on social stratification to that context and later as a consultant to the Brazilian government on a variety of projects related to equity and social change.

Professor John DeLamater Fund

Endowed by Emeritus Professor John DeLamater, this award provides support for the research of graduate students currently enrolled in the Department of Sociology, and is intended to honor a graduate student who has distinguished himself/herself amongst their peers. Students with well-designed projects on original topics of significance to the field of Sociology and, when appropriate or applicable, those proposing research on topics within the areas of social psychology or human sexuality will be given preference.

Sewell Graduate Student Award

This fund established by William H. Sewell to provide flexible research support for outstanding graduate students in the Department of Sociology in an effort to attract top graduate students. William “Bill” Sewell was the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s second Chancellor and a renowned professor of sociology. He served as Chancellor during one of the most tumultuous times on campus from October 1967 to June 1968 when he stepped down. During his long and distinguished academic career at UW-Madison, Sewell served as Chair of the University Committee and the Departments of Rural Sociology and Sociology. He was the Vilas Research Professor of Sociology from 1964 until his retirement in 1980.

Named Professorships

Emma Welsch Conway-Bascom Professorship

This Professorship was established by Dr. Margaret Conway in memory of her mother, Emma Welsch Conway. This fund supports research endeavors of a chosen Professor in the Department. Margaret Conway received her BA in 1922 in Letters and Science from the University of Wisconsin.

Don A. Martindale-Bascom Professorship

This Professorship was established by Edith Martindale in memory of her husband Don A. Martindale, a proud Alumnus of the Sociology Department. This fund supports an outstanding faculty member in the Department of Sociology. Don received his BA (1939), MA (1940) and Ph.D. (1948) from the University of Wisconsin. He was a highly respected social analyst and social theorist who had a distinguished career as a professor at the University of Minnesota. Edith Martindale received her BS in 1944 from the University of Wisconsin.

William H. Sewell-Bascom Professorship

The Professorship was established by alumni and friends in memory of William H. Sewell, emeriti faculty member of the Department of Sociology and the second chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. William “Bill” Sewell was the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s second Chancellor and a renowned professor of sociology. He served as Chancellor during one of the most tumultuous times on campus from October 1967 to June 1968 when he stepped down. During his long and distinguished academic career at UW-Madison, Sewell served as Chair of the University Committee and the Departments of Rural Sociology and Sociology. He was the Vilas Research Professor of Sociology from 1964 until his retirement in 1980.

Faculty Support

To donate to these funds, complete the UW Foundation secure form and search the fund name in the Find Your Cause search box.

Harold Garfinkel Faculty Fellowship

A faculty fellowship fund in memory of Professor Harold Garfinkel. This fund supports faculty members doing scholarly work related to the areas of ethnomethodology and conversation analysis. Awards are made with the understanding that the mission of the Garfinkel funds is to enhance work in the ethnomethodological and conversation analytic tradition and to enhance the understanding of and appreciation for Professor Garfinkel’s contribution to sociology.

Sharon Guten Enrichment Funds for Faculty Support

A fund established by Sharon Guten to provide support for faculty research. The fund will provide awards for Social Psychology and/or Medical Sociology faculty to enhance their scholarship and research and may be made to support travel to professional conferences, to support research leave, to support graduate student aid in faculty research, or to purchase books, software or other materials supplemental to faculty work.

Other Department Funds

To donate to funds without a link, complete the UW Foundation secure form and search the fund name in the Find Your Cause search box.

Sociology Enterprise Fund

The Sociology Enterprise Fund has been established to mark the formation of the Sociology Department Board of Visitors. The Fund is intended especially for contributions from Board members, but is open to any contributor. The Fund may be used to support Board initiatives, undergraduate or graduate students, or faculty research.

Community and Environmental Sociology Department Fund

The Community and Environmental Sociology Department Fund was created to aid the department in its teaching, research and public service roles.

Center for Demography and Ecology Fund (CDE)

The fund was established by alumni and friends of CDE. The sole purpose of the fund is to provide support for the research, training and public affairs activities of the Center.

CDE Mentors Fund

The Center for Demography and Ecology (CDE) Mentors Fund was established by alumni, colleagues and friends of the Center. This Fund collectively honors outstanding mentors and advisors associated with CDE.

Havens Center Fund

The fund was established alumni and friends of the A. E. Havens Center for the Study of Social Structure and Social Change (the Havens Center). The fund is to be used to cover various expenses of Havens Center that are not covered under ongoing University funding.

High Road Strategy Center Fund

The COWS Fund (132754430) is designated specifically to address the greatest needs within the Center to work towards the core mission of the High Road Strategy Center (formerly known as COWS).