–submitted by Linda Baldwin; photo by John Bonsett-Veal
From left: President-Elect Ellsworth Brown with Scott Flanagan
Everyone!
Scott Flanagan is the 7th President of Edgewood College, after spending 16 years at the college as a teacher and administrator. Today he gave us an overview of the college. Begun in 1949 under the leadership of the Dominican sisters, Edgewood College has grown to more than 3000 students in many undergraduate, graduate and non-traditional programs.
President Flanagan recalled that in 1970 the college went co ed and announced this change through a road sign “Now Co ed.” He surmised this change was not met with enthusiasm as the sign was quickly stolen.
Today the sisters’ legacy is carried out through the good work of all associated with Edgewood; students, faculty and staff, the board of trustees and even the presidents, past and present.
Edgewood College was one of the first in the country to offer the “yellow ribbon” program, an opportunity for veterans to attend college on scholarships. Today more than 150 vets are attending Edgewood.
Edgewood primarily educates students from the greater Madison area, and they stay in the area after graduation. Flanagan proudly pointed to the fact that only 3% of 2013 grads were still looking for work; 97% were working, in the military or doing graduate work.
He also talked about the programs for returning students seeking professional advancement through Edgewood programs, serving traditional and non-traditional students and invited everyone to the “Stream,” Edgewood’s new arts complex.
It’s Wisconsin, so Flanagan mentioned the 15 sports programs at the college, the robust study abroad program, the community internships which take students out into the community for service and civic engagement, offering more than 200,000 hours in service.
In closing, he touched on the partnerships with area businesses that provide additional scholarship money for students; the emphasis on inclusivity, noting that 15-20% of Edgewood students are minorities with retention rates almost as high as the student body in general and affordability, noting that 94% of Edgewood students receive some sort of financial aid.
President Flanagan closed by asking Rotarians to get involved with Edgewood to help meet our society needs for qualified workers, engaged citizens, servant leaders and scholarly problem solvers.
Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin 
