The Spalding Lab believes in the Wisconsin Idea, begun by University of Wisconsin President Charles Van Hise in 1904 with the declaration that he would “never be content until the beneficent influence of the university reaches every family in the state.” This principle motivates us to affect the lives of people in our community through education beyond the walls of the classroom using the devices and results of our research and the resources of the Department of Botany. If you are interested in reaching out with us, please contact Bessie Splitt.