Marvin “Marv” Levy ’71 is ready to leave a lasting legacy of charitable giving.
In July 2021, he and his brother Jeffrey committed the lead gift to establish the new Letters & Science Building on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus: Irving and Dorothy Levy Hall, set to open in 2026, was named in honor of their parents. The $20 million gift also remembers their late brother Phillip, who was the first of the three to earn his undergraduate degree from UW in 1964; Marv did so four years later in 1968 and Jeff four years after him in 1972.
In September 2024, Marv and Jeff announced an inspiring second gift to UW–Madison to support the construction of the new Phillip A. Levy Engineering Center. The $75 million gift will allow the College of Engineering to expand its enrollment by nearly 50%.
We sat down with Marv to discuss his memories of University of Wisconsin Law School, his career and his hopes for future Law Badgers.
Interview by Margaret Miller
Question: You’re a double Badger. What made you decide to go to law school? Why did you choose UW Law?
Answer: During my junior and senior years working on my BS from the School of Education at UW–Madison, I worked full time as a reporter for the Daily Wisconsin State Journal. So I had some thoughts about being a reporter. However, because my family also had a prosperous business, I thought the best long-term career decision would be to pursue a law degree. Because I made that decision late in the law school admission cycle, UW Law became the most realistic choice. The Vietnam War was raging in 1968, and I had a health-related draft deferment that allowed me to pursue law school without the fear of my studies being interrupted.
Q: What is your favorite Law School memory?
A: My participation on the Moot Court was a great way to learn more about appellate research and oral argument.
Q: How did your Law School education and experience shape your career?
A: I always thought undergraduates learned how to approach issues as partisans – but it was law school that taught me to look at all sides of an issue. This is invaluable for any career. I learned to think about how the “other side” was approaching the same issue. After graduation, I spent a year as a law clerk for the Chief Federal Judge in Memphis, Tennessee, learning about how a decider views cases. After that experience, I decided to avoid law firm associate/partner politics, and I joined our family business back in Madison.
Q: What’s been the most rewarding aspect of your career thus far?
A: To be in a position to make major financial contributions to a variety of organizations, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison and its Law School.
Q: Similarly, what’s been the biggest challenge(s)?
A: Managing people in a variety of roles to ensure their success.
Q: Thanks to you and your family’s generosity, the new UW College of Letters & Science academic building, Irving & Dorothy Levy Hall, will open on campus in 2026. What was the motivation behind that transformative gift?
A: My brother Jeff and I wanted to honor our parents, Irving and Dorothy Levy, in a way that would be transformative for the campus. Our parents were always there for us! They encouraged us to push forward and achieve our goals. Our parents were foundational in our lives.
Q: Irving & Dorothy Levy Hall will serve as a physical reminder of the Wisconsin Idea — providing space for students and community members to gather, collaborate, think critically and have open dialogue. Do you think that’s especially important in today’s world?
A: We are thrilled that almost all undergraduates will have the opportunity to enjoy a number of diverse educational experiences in Irving and Dorothy Levy Hall. They will be exposed to all sorts of ideas and approaches that will further their educational goals as they prepare for their careers.
Q: Given that the Levy building will likely become a favorite student hangout spot, what was your favorite place on campus while you were a student? Where did you spend most of your time?
A: I had two very favorite hangout spots on campus. One was the Memorial Union. It has so much to offer. The other was the State Historical Society Library across the street from the Union. It is incredibly beautiful and comfortable. My favorite hangout spot as a law student was heading to the now defunct bar in the Kennedy Manor basement after studying at the Law School.
Q: What makes a UW Law degree valuable in today’s world?
A: A UW Law School degree gives you the tools you need to succeed in any career. You learn to read closely and carefully. You learn how to focus and organize your thoughts in a logical manner. Critical thinking allows you to compose your ideas in a manner that will convince others of the merit of those ideas. You make connections to mentors and friends that can help you succeed throughout your career.
Q: What is a piece of advice you’d give to UW Law graduates?
A: Be patient! Whether it has been in business or in financial investments, patience has often played a role in achieving a much greater level of success.