Freda & Arnold Hanson

The measure of a gift goes beyond dollars for it represents the history, values and dreams of donors and those honored by their gift. To preserve and remember these things, a copy of this page or pages of “Donor Intent” shall be given to each recipient of this scholarship.

The Donor wishes to establish a fund that will provide scholarship support for students enrolled in the pre-law program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Ernest Hanson, or “Ernie,” came from a poor background, growing up on farmsteads in Montana and Viroqua, Wisconsin, meaning he had to work his way through both his undergraduate and Law School years at UW-Madison. As such, it is also the intent of the Donor to support students from a rural community in western Wisconsin who demonstrate significant financial need. \

Ernest Hanson dedicated his entire professional career to the same firm in La Crosse (at this time known as Hale, Skemp, Hanson, Skemp & Sleik) serving over 65 years.

The attached article from the UW-L Alumnus magazine, Summer of 2006, adds a richer hue to the portrait of “Ernie” Hanson at what was then La Crosse State Teachers College.