11 Sep With $75 million gift for new UW–Madison engineering building, brothers’ impact spans generations and transcends campus boundaries
Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin smiles as she chats with Jeff Levy, left, and Marv Levy, right. The press conference on Bascom Hill announced a $75-million lead gift from the Levys toward the construction of a much-needed new engineering building. Photo: Jeff Miller
A historic $75 million gift will fuel construction of a much-needed new engineering building at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
With their lead gift — the largest single gift in college history — brothers and UW–Madison alumni Marvin and Jeffrey Levy are honoring the memory of their brother, Phil, who passed away in 2021. A passionate and accomplished professional interior designer, Phil earned an English degree from the university in 1964.
A stunning facility that marries intentional design with future-ready engineering flexibility, the Phillip A. Levy Engineering Center will be the new centerpiece of the College of Engineering campus.
The transformative facility will spark collaboration and yield breakthroughs that echo across generations. With final approval by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on March 6, 2024, it underscores the importance of outstanding engineers to Wisconsin’s economy.
Marv and Jeff formally announced their support for the new building at an event at Bascom Hall on the UW–Madison campus today, Sept. 11, 2024.
“Through this gift, we can ensure the College of Engineering will remain on the leading edge and educate an ever-expanding number of talented engineers for generations to come,” says Marv. “Our family deeply appreciates the vital role engineering plays in driving innovations that advance our society and contribute to people’s quality and enjoyment of life. Jeff and I view support of this new engineering building as a gift to the state of Wisconsin.”