University of Wisconsin Madison - Badger Yearbook (Madison, WI)

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B. B. Blrling Board of Direaors Board of Dntaors Fred Dorner Board of Visitors F. H. Elwell Board of Directors Judge Evan Evans Trustee. Research Foundation HoA-ARD Greene Board of Dtreaors George Haight Lucien Hanks Trustee, Research Foundaliou Trustee, Research Foundation Jesse Higbee Thomas Brittingham Mrs. A. M. Kessenich Timothy Bro vn Board of Directors Trustee, Research Foundation Board of Direztors Trustee. Research Foundation Page 25

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with the exception ot the treasurer, may succeed himself in office more than once. They serve for a term ot one year. The Alumni Research Foundation (■ ' II ' HE Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation was organized Novem ' ber 14, 1925, under the laws ot the state of Wisconsin as a corporation not for profit. The purposes as set torth in the charter are : ' To promote, encourage and aid scientific investigations and research at the University and to assist in providing the means and machinery by which the scientific discoveries and inventions ot the staff may be developed and patented and the public and commercial uses thereot determined; and by which such utili- zation may be made of such dis- coveries and inventions and patent rights as may tend to stimulate and promote and provide tunds tor fur- ther scientific investigation and re- search within said University. ' The funds which launched this non- profit-making link between the educa- tional and business world were volun- tarily subscribed by interested alumni. The Foundation divorced itself forever from politics and political influence by placing Its management in the hands of a self-perpetuating board of six trustees, all alumni ot the University: George I. Haight, Chicago, president; William S. Kies, New York; Judge Evan A. Evans, Chicago; L. M. Hanks, Madison; T. E. Bnttingham, Jr. ,Madison;Timothy Brown, Madison. The first official action of the Foun- dation was to accept the discoveries of Dr. Steenbock in the field of vitamins, and to lay down the principle that the dis- coverer or inventor assigning the fruits of his scientific research to the Founda- tion should be rewarded by a I ' y c interest m the net receipts arising from the patent- ing and commercialization of this dis- covery. Most educational foundations start with an endowment, which often runs into millions ot dollars, and with a fairly well defined program for which funds have been furnished. The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation had no such start. All It had was the willingness ot an individual to turn over to a body of interested alumni an idea that was subject to patent in order to protect it from misuse. Lewis Alsted Board of Directors Ralph Balliette Board of Visitors Marc L.-wv Board 0 Directors Mrs. C. ' rl Johnson Board of Visitors Page 24

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Ben Kiekhofer Board of Visitors William Kies Board of Dneaors and Trustees, Research Foundation Mrs. George Lines Board of Directors Roger Minahan Board of Direaors The scheme of organizing an alumni toundation was a new one. It had never been developed or, so tar as I know, even thought of anywhere else in the country. Since this plan was effected a large number of universities and colleges have followed, and I think we may say with some pride that in forming the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, we have pioneered in blazing the trail for the handling of im- portant discoveries which are ot aid to the human race in a manner that will protect the public, do away with most ot the abuses ot commercialization ot patents, and leave the scientist who discovers the process in a position where he can devote himself to science without worrying about the commercial development ot his dis- covery. To protect the public it was necessary to provide a caretul system ot checks upon the licensees, and to that end a substantial laboratory was organized and equipped at Madison, where samples ot irradiated products are tested at varying intervals without the knowledge ot the licensees. The Foundation has organized a com- plete staff of specialists who call upon the medical profession and acquaint them with medical and clinical tacts in connection with the use of Vitamin D milk. The Foundation has had to establish an ad- vertising and publicity department which furnishes educational material, and which censors the advertising ot its licensees. Every effort has been made to maintain the dignity ot the University ot Wiscon- sin whose name the Foundation bears, and every precaution is taken so that nothing of an unethical nature may appear in any statements published by the licensees of the Foundation. — From an address bv WilUam S. Kies. A. T. S.ANDS Board of Directors Christian Steinmetz Board of Directors L. F. Van H. ' vgan Board of Directors E. ' RL VlTS Board of Directors Page 26