Blog
Skate Away on Your Next Outdoor UW Adventure
Looking for a new way to celebrate the winter season at the Wisconsin Union? Glide into a new activity with Outdoor UW – ice skating on Lake Mendota! There’s no better way to enjoy the outdoors and the company of friends than by cruising across the ice in front of Memorial Union, savoring the fresh air. And the best part is, you won’t have to invest in skates just to enjoy a few sessions on the lake – you can just rent them at Outdoor UW for a low hourly fee. “We’re excited to be introducing another opportunity to have people coming to the...
read moreSouper Supporters: Wheelhouse Artists Create Bowls for UW–Madison Habitat for Humanity
As their hands sculpted soft clay into beautiful bowls, Wheelhouse Studios artists, hobbyists and students helped shape the future of a local family on Oct. 9 by crafting handmade bowls. Their donated creations will be sold as a part of a fundraiser for the University of Wisconsin–Madison chapter of Habitat for Humanity. The event, titled the Souper Bowl, is the chapter’s largest annual benefit to raise money toward the construction of a home for a Dane County family in need. On Feb. 4, 2023, UW–Madison Habitat for Humanity will be hosting...
read morePrinting Up a Storm: StudentPrint Celebrates 50 Years
The world has seen a lot of change over the past half-century – and StudentPrint (SP) has been there for it all. SP started as a source for printing protest materials in 1972 and has seen its share of social and technological revolution. Through many transformations, the campus print shop has continued its role as the best spot in Madison for deals on all types of printing jobs. Whether it’s stickers, posters, T-shirts, or copies, SP’s 50 years of expertise extends far beyond paper projects to bring high quality products to meet every need....
read moreRecognition and Visibility: Introducing the National Pan-Hellenic Council and Multicultural Greek Council Rooms at Memorial Union
Memorial Union may have opened its doors for the first time in 1928 – almost a century ago – but its historic halls have been a space for change since their creation. This decade is no exception. As the social center and living room of the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus that hosts thousands of student and community groups’ events each year, Memorial Union serves as a space for learning and important gatherings. In July 2021, two integral campus organizations – the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the Multicultural Greek...
read moreDid You Know This About der Rathskeller?
Whether you are regular or visiting Memorial Union for the first time, der Rathskeller is a Madison classic. From live music to fresh food, the German-style beer hall will immerse you in history and art (and delicious food, of course), and you’ll quickly find out why the space, which we at the Wisconsin Union run, has been loved for decades. Here are four fun facts to impress a friend on your next visit: 1. Previously called, the Taproom. Memorial Union interior designer, Leon R. Pesheret, immediately envisioned a “German beer hall”...
read moreYour Terrace Season Bucket List
I have yet to try many Wisconsin Union adventures. Let’s make a deal; I’ll try something new this summer through the Union, and you will, too! I put together my Terrace season 2024 bucket list and am sharing it here with you! Don’t know about Terrace season? Oh, my friend, you are in for a treat: we’re talkin’ summer by the lake with free concerts, free movies and oh so much more. Don’t have a friend with a lake house? Well, now you do. Learn about Terrace season at TerraceSummer.com. 1. Paddling Rentals First on my list this...
read moreUnleash the Magic and Possibilities this Day of the Badger
Help us unleash the magic and the possibilities of leadership, learning and gathering during the 2024 Day of the Badger. WHAT IS DAY OF THE BADGER? What is Day of Badger, you ask? It’s an annual call to you, our Badgers and Badgers-at-heart around the world, to give to campus efforts you believe in. It all begins at 10:12 a.m. CDT on April 16 and runs until 5 p.m. CDT on April 17 (1,848 minutes in honor of the year the University of Wisconsin–Madison was established). HELP US UNLEASH THE MAGIC AND THE POSSIBILITIES Here, at the Wisconsin...
read moreBrewin’ Up an Even Better Peet’s Experience
We’re brewin’ up something special for you, our patrons, at Memorial Union: a new, even better Peet’s Coffee experience at Memorial Union that we anticipate will open in late spring. If you’ve visited Memorial Union recently, you may have seen temporary walls in front of Peet’s Coffee and that we’ve moved Peet’s Coffee menu options temporarily to the nearby café the Daily Scoop. We promise, what is behind those walls will be worth the wait. Here’s what we’re doing to enhance your Peet’s Coffee experience: We’re doubling our...
read moreMembership Manager Dawn Dever retires after years of enhancing membership value, making membership experiences special
Dawn Dever With a combination of sadness and happiness, we share that Wisconsin Union Membership Manager Dawn Dever will retire in April. Since joining our team, Dawn has dedicated herself to creating a valuable, enjoyable membership experience for our more than 120,000 lifetime and annual members and to ensuring our members’ voices are part of every aspect of our team’s work. She always asked herself how she could make the Wisconsin Union membership experience even better. From tailgate experiences to sweet evenings of chocolate...
read moreExperience the Talent of Student Artists at the 96th Student Art Show
“Reincarnated” and “Two into One,” by Hadrea Lee The 96th Annual Student Art Show debuted in February 2024 at the Memorial Union. The installation that lives in the Main and Class of 1925 Galleries on the second floor shapes a space of creativity and expression amongst the UW–Madison campus community. An exhibit curated by Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Art Committee, brings together all sides of campus to represent the artistic student body. “One of the biggest goals for the committee this year was to bring in a...
read more4 Things You May Not Know about Free Wisconsin Union Lectures
Dr. Jane Goodall, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Angela Davis, Maya Angelou: some of the thought leaders that shared their perspectives, stories, and knowledge as part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) annual speaker series. You may have seen this series on our event calendar before. Here are four things you may not know about the series. It’s free to attend. Yes. You read that correctly. All WUD DLS lectures are completely free for our patrons to enjoy. Most DLS events offer seating on a first-come,...
read moreWisconsin Union Hotel: Revamped, Refreshed, and Infused with Badger Spirit
New locally crafted mattresses, bedding, and carpet, oh my! This winter, the iconic Wisconsin Union Hotel at Union South underwent a major refresh project, and you can be one of the first to stay in the beautifully updated rooms this spring. Maintaining the same familiar feel but with a fresh new face, guests can look forward to new and upgraded: Mattresses and box springsLight fixtures and lampsiHome alarm clocksCarpetPaintBed DecorCloset CurtainsHeadboards The Wisconsin Union Hotel, situated in Union South, has been one of the most...
read moreThe Return of Union South’s Harvest Grains
It is safe to say, Harvest Grains is back and at the top of my list for UW–Madison dining options. Where Union South is home to students’ favorite study spots and recreational activities, the bustling center also contains some of the best restaurants on campus. For the past couple years, the storefront between Ginger Root and South Cantina stayed vacant, patiently waiting for a revamp of the University’s once beloved Harvest Grains restaurant. This spring 2024, however, Harvest Grains made a comeback. With sustainable,...
read moreTravel, Learn, and Lead on the Wisconsin Experience Bus Trip
Want to tour Wisconsin’s top sites, hear from accomplished leaders across the state, learn more about your leadership style, and make new friends – all for free? Of course you do! Welcome to the Wisconsin Experience Bus Trip, or WEBT, a weeklong event hosted by the Center for Leadership & Involvement each year after the end of the spring semester. This year’s statewide extravaganza will take place May 13-17. The adventure starts in Madison, Wisconsin, before student participants set off on five days of hands-on leadership training,...
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