A tribute to James A. Milgard Sr. (1940-2025)

The University of Washington Tacoma lost a cherished leader and supporter with the passing of James A. Milgard, Sr., on January 31.

“Jim,” as he was known to family, friends, and colleagues, was a UW Presidential Laureate and pillar of the South Sound business community. A warm, generous, and honorable leader, Jim was a tireless advocate for UW Tacoma’s mission. His lifelong support of UW Tacoma, the Milgard School of Business, and regional civic organizations reflected his deep love for South Puget Sound.

“Jim Milgard’s vision and generosity built a world-class business school right here in Tacoma — he championed access to educational opportunity at UW Tacoma,” said Chancellor Sheila Edwards Lange. “Jim and his brother Gary believed that when integrity and responsibility are taught well, businesses thrive, supporting employees, investing in partners, and benefiting entire communities. Their legacy will live on through graduates who become regional leaders for generations.”

Jim, Gary, and their father Maury grew their family business, Milgard Glass, into the western U.S.'s largest window manufacturer. In 2001, after selling Milgard Windows & Doors, they made transformative gifts to South Sound institutions, including UW Tacoma, St. Anthony Hospital, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound.

“Over the last six years, I had the privilege of getting to know Jim,” said Altaf Merchant, Gary E. and James A. Milgard Endowed Dean of the Milgard School of Business. “He was my friend, mentor, and father figure. He was passionate and proud of the work we’re doing at the Milgard School, which he was pivotal in helping us achieve.”

Jim and Gary recognized UW Tacoma’s potential as a source of entrepreneurial talent for businesses in the region and helped the University realize that promise. Their support began with a $15 million endowment to establish the Milgard School of Business in 2003 — the largest philanthropic gift ever made to UW Tacoma.

This extraordinary gift created the Milgard School of Business and two centers dedicated to solving pressing business and social challenges: the Center for Leadership and Social Responsibility (CLSR) and the Center for Business Analytics (CBA). The gift also created a $3 million endowed scholarship, making business education an achievable reality for South Sound students who might otherwise have been left out of the field.

“I am eternally grateful for the Milgard Scholar program as it enabled me to focus on school work, network with local business professionals, and launch multiple businesses during my time at UWT,” said Avery Neims, B.A. ’20, M.S. ’21. “Without the generosity of Jim Milgard Sr (and the Milgard family), I wouldn’t have had the time to discover my passion for entrepreneurship and building businesses.”

The CLSR fosters collaboration between students and business leaders to tackle community, economic, and environmental issues. It also houses the Milgard Women’s Initiative, a key partner in advancing women in leadership, entrepreneurship, and business in the South Sound.

The CBA connects students, faculty, and industry partners to solve complex problems with cutting-edge data analysis. Its offerings include an AI Sandbox, where students gain hands-on experience with artificial intelligence, and a new Foundations Certificate in Cybersecurity and Analytics.

Today, UW Tacoma is nationally recognized for improving social mobility, a distinction made possible in part by the dedication of faculty, staff, and community investors like the Milgards.

“Jim Milgard made invaluable contributions to promoting excellence at the Milgard School of Business,” said Shahrokh Saudagaran, professor of accounting and former dean of the Milgard School. “I will always remember his kindness and humility and his unstinting support for the people and programs of the Milgard School and the larger South Sound community. We were truly blessed to have Jim as our friend and benefactor, and we miss him dearly.”

Jim’s support for future generations of South Sound business leaders continued through philanthropy, including a $5 million pledge in 2007 to build William W. Philip Hall. He also served as a dedicated volunteer, representing UW Tacoma on the UW Foundation Board (2007-2010), and as honorary chair of the UW Tacoma Campaign Committee. Throughout the years, he also provided a wealth of ongoing mentorship, advocacy, guidance, and support of the Milgard School, UW Tacoma campus, and the Tacoma community.

In recognition of his contributions, Jim was named a UW Foundation Board Director for Life in 2017. In 2023, UW Tacoma opened Milgard Hall, named in honor of Jim, Carolyn Milgard, and the Gary E. Milgard Family Foundations. Milgard Hall serves as a hub for entrepreneurship and community partnerships, housing the Milgard School of Business, the School of Engineering and Technology, and the Global Innovation and Design Lab.

“Jim was a warm, generous man and leader in our community. He loved to laugh and enjoyed many friends, of whom I was fortunate to be one,” said Paul Ellingson, past president of Bargreen Ellingson, a Tacoma-based family-owned business. “His commitment to UW Tacoma was immeasurable, a way of giving back to the community he loved and was proud to call home.”

We treasure our memories of Jim with profound gratitude for all he and his family have made possible. Our hearts go out to Jim’s surviving family, including his wife, Carolyn; son, Jim Milgard Jr., a member of the Milgard Executive Council, and wife Jennifer; daughter Allison Milgard and her wife, Heather Reid; and granddaughters Madison and Molly. 

Jim will be deeply missed by the Husky community.