MADISON â?? When the University of Wisconsin approached American Family Insurance officials for support of a new childrenâ??s hospital, it didnâ??t take long for them to embrace the idea.
â??It really struck a chord with Harvey Pierce, our former chairman and chief executive, who believed there could be no finer corporate gift than to help sick children and their families,â? said Ken Muth, an American Family spokesman.
The 80-year-old Madison-based insurance company, which has 3,800 workers in the state, made an initial donation of $10 million in 2003. In return, it got the hospitalâ??s naming rights for the new hospital, which will be feted in an open house this Sunday.