UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

University Advancement

Marv Lansing Story

Every student has a different reason why they chose the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Yet Marv Lansing’s ('54) case, it would seem the university chose him.

“I had little idea why I was there, but there I was,” Lansing said. 

With the help of his professors and his future wife, Mag Helmer, Lansing graduated with a teaching degree in history. It was this support that inspired him to get his master’s degree and his doctorate in education administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Now he is helping future UWRF graduates to have a rewarding career, like he's had.

In 2011, Lansing and his current wife, Nancy Kraft, created the endowed Marvin & Margaret (Helmer) Lansing Scholarship, which is named in honor of himself and his late wife, Mag. The scholarship provides support for a student from a local county based on their financial need, not their GPA.

“I want to get more kids into the door and make them feel more financially comfortable,” he said. 

Lansing knew he wanted to give back to the university so he explored many different planned giving options. He decided to establish a scholarship and fund it through an annuity because it allowed him to have associate income from it, and, should he pass away, his wife would receive the benefits. 

"The cost of school is so high, and students need help more than ever," Lansing said. "You can help a lot of kids this way. People need to get into that mindset of giving back because, in the end, you can’t take your money with you.”

He is a retired superintendent of the Eau Claire Area School District, where he served for 21 years. Lansing is a published author and a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, the Lifetime Membership Award from the Wisconsin PTA and the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He and his wife currently reside on their wooded acreage in Knapp, Wis. 

Marv Lansing
Marv Lansing, '54


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