Soffa To Be Honored As 2018 Badger Of The Year

FOND DU LAC– The Fond du Lac Chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association has selected Marguerite Soffa as the Chapter’s 2018 Badger of the Year.

The Badger of the Year award is presented annually by local chapters of the Wisconsin Alumni Association to recognize a University of Wisconsin – Madison alumnus that has demonstrated leadership in their profession and in the community. 

A lifetime member of the Wisconsin Alumni Association, Soffa received her Bachelor of Arts Degree with an emphasis in Psychology from UW-Madison in 1946.  Soffa has been an active member of the UW-Madison community, having served as the Vice President of the Wisconsin Union.  She also established the J. Jobe Soffa and Marguerite Jacqmin Soffa Distinguished Visitor Fund, which sponsors a lecture series on the UW-Madison campus, bringing women from around the world to discuss contemporary issues of global significance.

 

Soffa has dedicated her life to serving others, supporting causes regarding human rights and environmental issues.  Among her numerous boards and organizations, Soffa served on the original 1970’s Human Rights Council in Fond du Lac, has been a member of American Association of University Women (AAUW) since 1947, and has been active with Soroptimists and Holy Family Parish.  

 

In addition, Soffa is a lover and supporter of the arts in the Fond du Lac area.  She is an active member of THELMA Sadoff Center for the Arts and has Marguerite’s Landing, an upper level overlook at the center, named in her honor.

Today, at age 93, Soffa continues to be active in the community, volunteering her time with organizations like the Fond du Lac Literacy Program and Agnesian Hospice.  When asked, Soffa provides the following tips for a long and productive life, “Take a walk, read a book, follow current events, solve a crossword, and enjoy a glass of wine.”

The Badger of the Year award will be presented at the Fond du Lac chapter’s annual Founder’s Day dinner on Thursday, April 26th.  In addition to the Badger of the Year award, the evening will include the presentation of the chapter’s annual scholarship recipients as well as a presentation on the state of the economy by Noah Williams, Juli Plant Grainger Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy.

The Founders’ Day event will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Fond du Lac, with a reception starting at 5:30 p.m.  Dinner will follow at 6:15 p.m. with the program scheduled for 7:00 p.m. To register or for more details, visit www.uwalumni.com/foundersday or contact Chapter President Steve Leaman at 920-979-1762.