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Tug Juday honored posthumously with Lifetime Philanthropy Award
Long-time Nicolet College Foundation donor E.T. “Tug” Juday has been honored with the Outstanding Lifetime Philanthropy Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Northeast Wisconsin Chapter.
The association seeks nominations annually to honor an individual or family who is recognized widely as a community philanthropist with a long and proven record of making a significant impact.
“That’s exactly how Tug lived his life,” said Nicolet College Foundation Executive Director Heather Schallock, who nominated Juday for the award. He received the honor posthumously, having passed away in March of 2013.
“One of his favorite sayings was, ‘We all need to pay a little rent for the space we take up on this earth,’” Schallock added. “And Tug embodied those words, not only through his philanthropy work with the Nicolet College Foundation but organizations throughout the Northwoods. Tug wanted to invest his money in people and create opportunities for them.”
His donations to the Nicolet Foundation have funded hundreds of student scholarships to cover not only tuition and books but also items like vehicle repairs, gas, and even childcare.
“He understood that small financial setbacks too often create big obstacles, forcing students to stop attending classes and give up on their dreams,” Schallock said.
As a businessman, Juday also encouraged economic development in the Northwoods in multiple ways, including providing scholarship funds for entrepreneurship training through Nicolet’s Workforce and Economic Development department. In retirement he was also active in the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation.
Juday graduated from Northland Pines High School in 1936 and later earned a business degree from the University of Wisconsin. After serving in WW II, he returned to the family business, Ideal Industries, from which he retired as chairman of the board after 37 years of service.
Juday’s other donations have gone to Northland Pines High School for college scholarships for students and to the University of Wisconsin Trout Lake Station to support limnology internships.
“He truly demonstrated what it means to ‘pay a little rent,’” Schallock said.