Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service: To honor Dave Anderson with Bill Kraus Award and memorial scholarship

The Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service (WIPPS) will honor the life and legacy of Dave Anderson on Oct. 1 in Wausau by posthumously presenting him with the Bill Kraus Lifetime Achievement in Civic Leadership Award and announcing a new memorial scholarship in his name.

Dave Anderson, who passed away in August 2025, was a dedicated public servant whose career spanned more than four decades. He served as Director of Appointments for Governor Tommy Thompson, Policy Director for Governor Scott McCallum, district director for U.S. Representatives Tom Petri and Sean Duffy, and Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

At WIPPS, Dave served as a Senior Policy Fellow and Chair of the Board of Advisors. He was also a dedicated Rotarian and past Governor of Rotary District 6220.

At the Oct. 1 ceremony, Dave will be recognized with the Bill Kraus Lifetime Achievement in Civic Leadership Award, which honors individuals whose life and work demonstrate the highest qualities of civic leadership, including a commitment to civil dialogue, positive change, and service to the public good. Previous recipients of the award include Mary Williams and Shirley Abrahamson.

Additionally, WIPPS and Rotary District 6220 will announce the creation of the Dave Anderson Memorial Scholarship, which will support students who demonstrate the same spirit of service, dedication, civic engagement, and love of community that Dave exemplified throughout his life.

WIPPS is currently raising funds to establish and sustain the scholarship. Donations can be made here. To learn more about the scholarship, please visit wipps.org. 

“All of us at WIPPS really cherished the time we had with Dave,” said Eric Giordano, WIPPS executive director. “His passion for public service and helping people was truly infectious, and we hope this scholarship will help inspire and support others who want to make a difference in their communities.”

After the memorial ceremony, WIPPS will host a public panel discussion, “Effective Governance and Civility in Polarized Times,” in the Veninga Theater at the UW Center for Civic Engagement in Wausau. To learn more about the public event, click here.