Wisconsin teacher leaves UW-Platteville $1 million for educator scholarships
The UW‑Platteville Foundation and Alumni Association has announced a transformational $1 million estate gift from the late Delores L. Brown, a devoted educator and proud alumna whose lifelong commitment to teaching and service will continue through full‑time scholarships for students majoring in education at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville.
Brown, who passed away on March 29, 2026, at age 93. She graduated in 1954 from the Platteville State Teachers College, which merged with the Wisconsin Institute of Technology in 1959 to become the institution that would later be known as UW-Platteville.
She dedicated her 35‑year career to elementary education in Wisconsin. Her generous bequest establishes enduring scholarship support for full‑time education majors, ensuring future generations of teachers have access to the same life‑changing opportunities that shaped her own path.
“Delores Brown believed deeply in the power of education and the importance of supporting those called to teach,” said Foundation and Alumni Association Advancement Director and Senior Gift Officer Jimmy Collins, who worked with Delores. “Her remarkable generosity creates a lasting legacy that will inspire and support aspiring educators for decades to come.”
Born in Lancaster, Wisconsin, and raised in Platteville, Brown developed a passion for learning and leadership early in life. She was actively involved in school and community organizations and graduated with honors from Platteville State Teachers College. She went on to teach in West Allis before spending the majority of her career at Madison elementary schools, where she was known for her belief that every child deserves to be challenged and supported according to their individual strengths.
Brown viewed teaching as a calling and a way to serve others. In addition to her professional life, she was active in educational and civic organizations, including Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary teaching sorority. Her life was marked by generosity, humility, and a quiet but powerful commitment to helping others succeed.
The scholarships created through Brown’s estate gift will support full‑time UW‑Platteville education students, helping remove financial barriers and allowing recipients to focus fully on their academic and professional preparation as future educators.
“By investing in students who are preparing to teach, Delores Brown is strengthening schools, communities, and lives far beyond our campus,” Chancellor Tammy Evetovich added. “We are profoundly grateful for her foresight and trust in UW‑Platteville.”