Honoring a Legacy, Strengthening the Future: Zeit Society Builds on the Walter Zeit Fellowship

The Medical College of Wisconsin has formally transitioned the Walter Zeit Fellowship into Zeit Society, an alumni-exclusive giving society created in partnership with alumni leaders to strengthen long-standing traditions of student support and engagement.

Developed with the support of the Walter Zeit Fellowship Executive Committee, the Office of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations, and the MCW/Marquette Medical Alumni Association, Zeit Society brings together decades of alumni generosity under a unified structure – recognizing alumni whose lifetime giving reflects a sustained commitment to student success and MCW’s educational mission.

For nearly 50 years, the Walter Zeit Fellowship has played a meaningful role at MCW, honoring exceptional graduating students who exemplify leadership, loyalty, service, initiative, and compassion. Established in 1980 to honor the extraordinary contributions of Dr. Walter Zeit – a beloved faculty member, associate dean, teacher, and mentor – the fellowship became a touchstone for alumni who believed deeply in paying forward the support that made their own education possible. Through the Walter Zeit Leadership Award, Founding Deans Awards, and the Marie E. Zeit Scholarship, generations of students have benefited from both financial support and meaningful alumni connection.

I was supported. I know I could not have made it through medical school without that support. So, I feel it’s very important for me to turn around and pay it forward. This is something we all should practice as alumni.
Betty Pace, MD ’81, GME ‘84

Those values remain central as the fellowship evolves into Zeit Society. The updated structure preserves the awards and scholarships alumni have long championed while expanding opportunities for engagement, recognition, and connection across the alumni community. Zeit Society also strengthens early connections with students – introducing first-year scholarship recipients to alumni engagement and mentorship while continuing to honor outstanding graduating students through the Walter Zeit Fellowship awards.

Steven C. Bergin, MD ’74, GME ’78, chair of the Zeit Society Executive Committee, reflected on the importance of this next chapter at an event last fall celebrating the 2025 Zeit leadership award recipients.

“This evening reminds us of the strength of philanthropy and the people who continue to drive MCW’s mission forward,” Bergin said. “As we look ahead, I’m excited for what comes next. Together, as part of Zeit Society, we’ll continue a legacy and make a meaningful difference for generations of MCW students to come.”

Zeit Society also creates a broader framework for celebrating alumni impact. Beginning next year, the annual alumni awards celebration has been expanded to recognize both student award recipients and the many ways alumni contribute to MCW through professional achievement, mentorship, and philanthropy. In addition, the society offers enhanced engagement opportunities designed to deepen relationships among alumni, students, and institutional leadership.

As MCW moves forward, Zeit Society represents both continuity and momentum – honoring the legacy of Dr. Walter Zeit and the alumni who built the fellowship, while positioning the community for continued growth. Rooted in shared values and sustained generosity, this next chapter reinforces a simple truth that has guided the fellowship from the beginning: when alumni invest in students, the impact extends far beyond a single moment, shaping the future of health and the professions that our students pursue.

2025 Zeit Society Award Winners (l-r): Dylan Pierce, Theo Yang, Hannah Olson, Adam Plotkin