Irgens' Gift Strengthens Wisconsin Tradition in Real Estate

MADISON, Wis., March 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate at the Wisconsin School of Business announced a $2 million gift from University of Wisconsin-Madison alumni Mark and Susan Irgens to endow the center's executive directorship. Mark Irgens is president and chief executive officer of Irgens, a private full-service real estate services firm with offices in Milwaukee, Chicago and Phoenix. "I received a public education all the way through, and I don't think I fully paid for it," Irgens said. "It's important to protect, reinforce and even enhance these institutions that create value and give people a start."

The Graaskamp Center links faculty, students, alumni, the professional community, government agencies and the general public. The Graaskamp Center and UW-Madison are well-known in the real estate industry and inspired many of today's great real estate professionals, said Executive Director Michael Brennan, also managing principal of Brennan Investment Group, Chicago. "The center is strong today and will be strong tomorrow because of the support of industry leaders throughout the country," Brennan said. The Irgens' gift contributes to the strength of the Wisconsin Real Estate program that aims to be a global leader in real estate education and was ranked No. 1 in the country for 2014 by U.S. News and World Report. Mark and Susan Irgens' generosity gives the Graaskamp Center a clear strategic advantage by ensuring funds are available to retain and recruit talented executives for the leadership position, Academic Director Morris Davis said.

Inspired by Professor James A. Graaskamp, the center's namesake and a pillar of the Wisconsin Tradition in Real Estate, Irgens put his education to work, balancing interrelated components to manage risk. "Real estate development is an in-the-trenches, duke-it-out type job," Irgens said, "but if you have the sophistication and skills that you learn at the business school and through Graaskamp, it helps you perform at a far higher level." Irgens' notable projects include the redevelopment of the historic Gimbels building in Milwaukee, a mixed-use project that catalyzed downtown development. "Education is a huge difference-maker in people's lives," Irgens said. "With a good education, you can become anything. Making a gift to something that made such a big change in our lives was a natural choice."

About The James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate

The Graaskamp Center fosters excellence in real estate education, research and outreach through community and professional partnerships. The center creates networking opportunities with top industry leaders through its executive Board of Advisors and administers the Real Estate MBA program.

About Irgens Partners, LLC

Established in 1983, Irgens has successfully completed hundreds of diverse development and management projects totaling more than $2 billion in real estate value with 7 million square feet under management. Irgens pursues closely managed, strategic growth and offers clients single-source accountability from a highly experienced team dedicated to managing risk and out-performing other projects in today's market.

Contact: Lee Gottschalk
(608) 265-2032

SOURCE UW-Madison Graaskamp Center For Real Estate