Upcoming Events
All events are free and open to the public.
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Recordings
Most of our events are recorded and available for later viewing.
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A Legacy of Leadership
Tommy G. Thompson served as Governor of Wisconsin from 1987 to 2001 and as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2001 to 2005. Throughout his career in public service, Governor Thompson’s goal was to bring people together to accomplish positive change. We proudly share that goal.
Learn moreActivities
The Thompson Center seeks to advance Governor Thompson’s legacy of effective public leadership through a variety of activities across the University of Wisconsin System.
Scholarships
Our Leadership Scholarships empower students with a demonstrated commitment to public leadership.
Civil discourse
Our Bridging the Divide program fosters civil discourse and understanding through small group conversations across ideological divides.
Awards
Our Distinguished Public Leadership Award honors Wisconsinites for exceptional public service and impactful contributions as leaders.
Events
We organize free, public talks and other events on public leadership and policy across the University of Wisconsin System.
Research grants
We support academic research projects on a variety of topics related to public leadership and policy.
Speaker grants
We offer funding to bring speakers on topics related to public leadership and policy to campus.
Facts
The Thompson Center was founded in 2017 by act of the Wisconsin State Legislature.
Years
Campuses
Events
Scholarships
News
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- In the News
- Press releases
Bridging the Divide
UW News
Continuing the Fight
Royal Purple
UWO student awarded Thompson Center scholarship
The Advance-Titan
Local Ukrainians watching closely as peace talks begin
WeAreGreenBay.com
Thompson Center Launches New Website
Press release
Interview: ‘Bridging the Divide’ aims to address partisan divide on college campuses
WBAY Action 2 News (Green Bay, Wis.)
“Bridging the Divide” at UW–Eau Claire
WEAU 13 News (Eau Claire, Wis.)
‘UPFRONT’ recap: Bob Woodward on Trump interviews, Biden reelection chances
WISN 12 News (Milwaukee, Wis.)
Finding the national interest: Bob Woodward visits UWM at Waukesha to discuss the American presidency
The Freeman (Waukesha, Wis.)
UW–Eau Claire commemorates National Constitution Day
WEAU 13 News (Eau Claire, Wis.)
Wisconsin panelists break down first GOP primary debate: Winners, losers, and standouts
CBS 58 News (Milwaukee, Wis.)
UWL student reports on Kasper Korjus event
The Racquet Press (La Crosse, Wis.)
Thompson Center Summit on Early Literacy - Feb. 8th - is in the news
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
The race for the Senate is on
TMJ4 News (Milwaukee, Wis.)
DeVos, Fuller discuss the Future of Education
The Advance-Titan (Oshkosh, Wis.)
Jeb Bush Discusses Politics, Policy, and a Dynasty During Interview with MJS
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Jeb Bush to Speak at UW–Milwaukee at Waukesha on April 7
Press release
Former ambassador to China visits UW–La Crosse to speak to students
News 8000 (La Crosse, Wis.)
Fiscal Bureau’s Bob Lang, ‘The Gold Standard,’ Awarded for Public Service
Wisconsin State Journal
Thompson Center to Fund Faculty Research and Speakers
Press release
Alexander Tahk Appointed Thompson Center Director
Press release
Experts Debate Use of Technology to Curb Pandemic
Wisconsin Public Radio
Wisconsin Supreme Court weighs balance of power in key environmental cases
Wisconsin State Journal
Public Emergency Reforms
WisPolitics.com
Survey: UW–Madison undergrads favor government limits on offensive and ‘hate’ speech
Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin Should Expedite the Meaningful Use of Telehealth
WisPolitics.com
Wisconsin Should Adopt a Robust ABLE Account Program for the Disabled
Wisconsin Rapids Tribune
As I See It: Should the Supreme Court Change How It Assigns Opinions?
Wisconsin Bar Association
We Still Need Oral Arguments at the Supreme Court
The Dispatch
Badgers, Civically Minded
UW–Madison
George Will Speaks at UW–La Crosse
WXOW News 19 (La Crosse, Wis.)
Ex-Offenders Under Watch
Badger Institute
Wisconsin Must Undertake Transportation Reform
La Crosse Tribune
Governor Evers First 100 Days
Wisconsin Eye
Tommy Thompson: GOP, Democrats Should Start Transportation Discussions Now
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Lessons and Thoughts on Tuesday’s Election
WisPolitics.com
Karl Rove and David Axelrod Talk Civility & Strategy
Fox 11 News (Green Bay, Wis.)
Turn a Wisconsin Prison into a School
Wisconsin State Journal
Tommy Thompson & Ryan Owens Discuss Criminal Justice Reform
WKOW 27 News (Madison, Wis.)
Wisconsin’s Leaders Should Work Together on Three Issues
WisPolitics.com
The Man from Elroy
The Isthmus
Criminal Justice Reform on White House Agenda
White House
Help Solve Wisconsin’s Coming Labor Shortage by Rehabilitating Prisoners
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Even Most Politicians Want Collaboration
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Campuses
