Ann and John Graf, 1973 graduates, happy to ‘pay it forward’
By Jerry Poling, UW Stout
Two alumni whose career paths were determined and lives shaped during their college days at University of Wisconsin-Stout are supporting future student success with one of the largest gifts in school history.
Ann and John Graf, residents of Tomahawk and Houston, Texas, have committed $3.5 million from their estate to the UW-Stout Foundation and Alumni Association. The Ann B. and John H. Graf Restricted Scholarship Endowment establishes full tuition scholarships for up to eight students a year.
“We think education is important and want to help students get a start in life without loads of debt,” Ann said.
“I benefited from the GI bill when I went to college,” said John, a veteran of the Vietnam War and a first-generation college student. “It’s an opportunity to pay it forward.”
The Grafs graduated in 1973, Ann in apparel, textiles and design; and John in hotel and restaurant management. They were residents of South Hall, where they met. They married in 1975, after John also earned a master’s in education from UW-Stout.
The eight Graf scholarships will be split between four students in Ann’s program, now called fashion design and development; and four in John’s program, now called hotel, restaurant and tourism management, plus two related programs, real estate property management; and golf enterprise management.
Along with tuition, eventually the endowment is expected to cover room and board expenses for scholarship recipients.
“We want these students to have the opportunity to further their education and have a chance to excel in an area they are passionate about,” Ann said.
The gift was announced Sept. 19 during the Foundation’s annual Scholarship Reception on campus.
“The university is extremely grateful to John and Ann for their generous support. Their gift is the largest scholarship in university history and will make a significant impact in supporting our students by alleviating financial barriers and allowing them to focus on their polytechnic education,” Chancellor Katherine Frank said.
Already for the 2024-25 academic year, the Foundation has awarded a record $1.4 million in scholarships to 573 students, with additional awards planned.
In 2023-24, the Foundation gave out a then-record amount in scholarships, more than $1.3 million, to a record number of students, 681.
When the Foundation held its first scholarship fundraising campaign in 1962, two $100 scholarships were established. In total, nearly $20 million has been awarded the past 62 years.
Long careers in their degree fields
Ann, who grew up in suburban Chicago and learned to sew from her mother, enrolled in the apparel design program at UW-Stout. Her high school counselor recommended the program.
“I had never lived in a small town, so it was kind of change. I enjoyed the university community and being part of, I guess you could call it, a family and the exposure to all of the people I met,” Ann said.
She began her career in fabric stores and in retail before working for more than 20 years as an administrator with Quilts Inc., a national leader in commercial and trade quilt shows. Ann, who still works part time with Quilts Inc., also is a quilter.
John grew up in the Milwaukee area, where he worked at a café. In Vietnam, he continued in food service by directing two officers’ mess halls. After the war, he transferred from a Milwaukee Area Technical College culinary program to UW-Stout to prepare for a career in the food service industry.
“The UW-Stout program was a natural extension of my interest in food service,” John said.
After graduating, he taught at the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton hospitality school and managed food service in a campus hotel. He and Ann owned and operated a deli in Houston, and John also worked in the restaurant industry.
He eventually transitioned to the Houston school district, fifth largest in the U.S., as food service purchasing manager for 10 years and then as a consultant with Frenchy’s Sausage of New Orleans.
The Grafs live in Wisconsin during the summer and in Houston during the winter.
UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes. Learn more via the FOCUS2030 strategic plan.
