The University of Wisconsin-Madison will rename Music Hall to Herb Kohl Hall in 2029 after a $30 million contribution from late Senator Herb Kohl’s foundation, the largest donation in university history. The new building will support the rapid expansion of the La Follette School of Public Affairs, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin announced Monday night at an event with former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.
“This tremendous gift will stand as a lasting tribute to Senator Kohl’s dedication to public service and civic responsibility, and help us continue fostering those same values here on campus,” Mnookin said.
The pledge from Herb Kohl Philanthropies, along with additional university funding, will result in the renovations to the interior of the historic Music Hall , meant to welcome collaboration between students, faculty and staff and support La Follete’s programming.
La Follette School of Public Affairs has experienced whirlwind growth as of late, adding a certificate in public policy in 2019, another in health policy in 2022 and an undergraduate major program in Public Policy to launch this fall.
Kohl was an important supporter for these endeavors, donating $10 million in 2019 to open undergraduate programming in the school, which had previously only offered graduate degrees.
The new public policy major, beginning in fall 2026, is expected to enroll up to 400 students within five years, according to a press release from the La Follete school.
“We are so incredibly grateful to Herb Kohl Philanthropies for this historic gift that further cements Sen. Kohl’s legacy on campus while helping us usher in an exciting new era for the La Follette School,” Susan Yackee, the school’s director, said in the release.
Herb Kohl Hall will also return the building back to its original purpose: hosting speaker events and conferences. Originally called Assembly Hall, the space was the first campus building dedicated to large gatherings back in 1878.
UW-Madison is seeking a south wing addition to Herb Kohl hall to accommodate all students, staff and faculty in the La Follette School.
“Senator Kohl’s support of La Follette has been transformational,” Yackee said, “and we are forever indebted to him and to Herb Kohl Philanthropies, for believing in what we’re doing at La Follette.”
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