John & Pat Kerrigan

John Kerrigan’s 10-year term as Chancellor (1990-2000) was characterized by his dedication to providing students with resources to help them succeed. As the University’s ninth Chancellor, he left a lasting impact, initiating professorships to support faculty in their research and scholastic pursuits and developing scholarship programs for incoming students with academic and leadership ability.

John established a distinguished career in higher education, serving as a nationally recognized expert in public administration and an academic consultant to universities, educational associations, and government agencies. His passion for fostering international relationships, learning about foreign cultures, and building partnerships abroad led him to establish thriving collaborations in Oman, Qatar, Slovakia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, and Morocco.

John married his wife, Patricia, on June 21, 1958. They had four children: Maureen, Michael, Megan, and Brian. John passed away in 2012 and Patricia passed away in 2019.

Their commitment to UW Oshkosh and its students continues through several funds. The John and Pat Kerrigan Scholarship was established in honor of John at the time of his retirement in 2000. Through an estate gift, they established the John & Pat Kerrigan Freshman Scholarship and the John E. and Patricia M. Kerrigan Fund, an endowment to support faculty.