The Gladys Borchers Fund

Gladys Borchers
(1891-1988)

Dr. Gladys Borchers graduated from Whitewater Normal School in 1918.  While preparing to become an elementary teacher here, a visiting Professor heard her speak at a meeting to raise funds for the Red Cross during WW I and persuaded her to join a team of Whitewater students that would be competing at the state oratorical contest.  The group won and at the interstate contest, Miss Borchers won a unanimous first place.

After receiving her Doctorate in 1927, Dr. Borchers was a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts at UW-Madison for most of her career, retiring in 1962.  She was well known for her work in speech education and her interest in freedom of speech. She was a visiting lecturer throughout the world, and in 1958 was honored by UW-Whitewater with the Distinguished Alumni Award. 

Dr. Borcher’s gift was made in the memory of her mother, Sophia G Borchers who attended Whitewater Normal School and influenced her four daughters and other relatives to study there.  The purpose of the Gladys Borchers fund is to enrich the intellectual life of students and faculty by bringing in speakers in the areas of speech and theatre that will contribute to their learning, teaching and research.