The Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership
Wis. Stat. § 36.68
in effect(1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Board” means the public leadership board.
(b) “Center” means the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.
(2) Mission. There is created at the University of Wisconsin-Madison the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership that has as its mission the facilitation of research, teaching, outreach, and needed policy reforms regarding effective public leadership that improves the practice of American government. The center shall endeavor to carry out its mission throughout all the universities of the system.
(3) Director. Upon the joint recommendation of the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the dean of the College of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the board shall appoint a director of the center for a 3-year term.
(4) Powers. The center may do any of the following:
(a) Make grants to support faculty research that objectively studies public leadership in American political and legal institutions, policy making, and policy implementation.
(b) Conduct an annual competitive grant contest for encouraging faculty research described in par. (a) that has direct and urgent relevance for the state of Wisconsin.
(c) Publicize the findings of the research that is supported by the center.
(d) Foster public debate over critical issues regarding effective public leadership and facilitate dialogue between academics and policy makers on those issues.
(e) Conduct and promote programs and events that bring timely political and policy issues to the attention of larger audiences.
(f) Take any other action that is consistent with the mission of the center.
(5) Speaking engagements. In each fiscal year, not less than $500,000 of the amount appropriated under s. 20.285 (1) (b) shall be allocated by the board for speaking engagements sponsored by the center at campuses other than the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
(6) Expenditures. The director of the center shall propose an annual budget itemizing expenditures of the moneys appropriated under s. 20.285 (1) (b), including expenditures for grants to proposed recipients, which shall be subject to the approval of the board. Upon approval by the board, the director may make substantive changes to the annual budget only with the subsequent approval of the board.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/36.68Fetched: 10/7/2026