From the Nominator

“Looking Back to Move Forward” chronicles an extraordinary three-year effort by the University of Wisconsin–Madison to confront its own history of discrimination and exclusion. The article explores the university’s Public History Project, which gives voice to those who experienced prejudice on campus. 

Doug Erickson interviews faculty, staff, and administrators about the project’s rationale and its unique approach to a potentially volatile subject. He candidly describes a campus culture of racism and religious bigotry that went largely unchallenged in the early 1900s, while also noting inspirational acts of resistance. Erickson brings the story into the present by speaking with alumni who have experienced discrimination and detailing the university’s recent efforts to create a more welcoming environment. 

The article, which appeared just prior to the Public History Project’s culminating museum exhibition, served the crucial function of framing the university’s rationale for the project and the exhibition. The article confronted potential misunderstandings about the project and helped ensure that media coverage would be factual and contextual. 

University leaders believe that the article’s thoroughness, tone, and sensitivity contributed to the success of the project and the exhibition. The exhibition logged more than 23,000 visits during its three-month run, making it one of the most popular in recent years at the campus art museum. Media coverage and feedback from students, faculty, and alumni were almost entirely positive. 

In January, the chancellor announced that the university would establish a permanent office with a full-time staff to continue the work of the Public History Project.

From the Judges

“Looking Back to Move Forward” certainly caught the attention of the judge pool with its quality and depth of writing. It is impressive to see such an important and brave story be told in such a well-crafted manner. The judges were clearly impressed by the level of excellence demonstrated in this piece.