Blog
Find Your People and Leadership Opportunities through the Wisconsin Union Directorate
Students are asking: Where can I find my people, the people I enjoy spending time with and could be forever friends? Some are also asking, where can I find hands-on opportunities to hone my skills and learn new ones? There’s one answer to both of these questions: the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD). What is WUD (pronounced like “wood”)? It’s called a programming board, meaning the student leaders creating programming. In the case of WUD, they create more than 1,000 events a year. Students have lots of options when it comes to...
read moreBob Wright’s Retiring!
Robert Wright’s career has been filled with friendship, memories and hard work. From scuba diving in Lake Mendota and volunteering in Belize to managing Sett Recreation, Bob’s commitment to the Wisconsin Union has left an incredible impact on the community. Now, some 40 years later, Wright has plans to return to South America, following his retirement in winter 2024. Sett Recreation in Union South is home to bowling lanes, pool tables and games. Sett, meaning a badger’s den, mimics the feeling of an animal’s habitat by being located...
read moreEvents That Will Have You Falling for Fall Vibes 🍂
It’s officially the season when we exchange our flip-flops for boots, and pumpkin spice becomes a food group ☕️. So bundle up, and gear up for fall fun at Wisconsin Union events! Gather your crew to enjoy it all, or find your crew at experiences for a lifetime. Free Pumpkin Carving, Oct. 23 Carve a pumpkin outside of Union South! Hosted by the Wisconsin Union Directorate Global Connections Committee. Open to all students, staff, faculty, and Wisconsin Union members, including day members (day membership available for $1 per person at...
read moreSave the Date to Flock Together to Make a Difference: Fill the Hill, Oct. 24-25
Once upon a time, some clever students filled an iconic University of Wisconsin–Madison location, Bascom Hill, with plastic, pink flamingos to welcome students to campus. In homage to the sassy scholars, once a year, Badgers and Badgers-at-heart around the world fill Bascom Hill with pink flamingos again; but with a twist the tradition’s inventors never predicted. Starting at 5 p.m. on Oct. 24 through 5. p.m. on Oct. 25, each gift designated for the nonprofit Wisconsin Union funds and other University efforts will add a flamingo to...
read moreWisconsin Union Theater presents cinematic shadow puppet and music company’s reimagining of ‘Frankenstein’
The worlds of film, music, shadow puppetry and theater combine in Manual Cinema’s performance of “Frankenstein” on Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Shannon Hall at Memorial Union, as part of the Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) 2024-2025 season. The Manual Cinema production combines Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein” with biographical elements from Shelley’s life. The Emmy Award-winning team’s reimagining retains the original novel’s themes of life, love and death. The idea for Manual Cinema’s “Frankenstein” began with ensemble Co-Artistic...
read moreCheck Out the Wisconsin Union’s Coolest Campus Cafés
The University of Wisconsin–Madison can feel overwhelming at times due to the sizable campus and large student population. As a first-year student, I often felt lost among all the confusing buildings, longing for a space to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee in between class. Luckily, I stumbled across the Robin’s Nest in the School of Human Ecology and found a small space of comfort amongst my hectic schedule. The Robin’s Nest was very convenient for that one semester. However, classes changed, and I was left wondering if other pockets of...
read moreIntroducing the Union Flex Dining Plan
Students living outside of residence halls and the people who help students thrive at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, this story is for you. Imagine: you’re a student out of the residence halls for the first time, officially on your own. It’s a busy week at school, and you have plans to meet friends for Open Mic in der Rathskeller and stay out late. But you haven’t had time to plan meals or go grocery shopping, and gone are the days of being able to stop by your residence cafeteria. Enter the Union Flex Dining Plan created by us at the...
read moreArt Outside the Walls – What is the Wisconsin Union Art Collection?
The Wisconsin Union Art Collection, established in the 1920s by the Wisconsin Union founders, is one of the largest art collections in Wisconsin. Today, the collection has grown to more than 2,000 pieces and continues to evolve. The foundation of the Wisconsin Union Art Collection is to “cultivate art and recognize creative endeavors by students.” This entire collection has been selected, managed and created by students’ voices and volition. Therefore, all pieces not only hold great beauty and importance but also have a direct tie to...
read moreBehind the Scenes at the Union: Student Summer Coordinator Tess Voigt
On a busy night at the Memorial Union Terrace, visitors flock from out-of-town, bands perform their crafts, and students and community members enjoy the lively lakeview ambiance. From the lighting to the sound to the food, each part of Memorial Union runs smoothly, creating a seamless dining and entertainment experience for everyone. Behind the scenes, countless staff members work to create experiences for a lifetime, the majority of whom are students. Today, we dive into one student’s involvement in particular: those of Tess Voigt, one...
read moreChilling with the Wisconsin Union
We know the Terrace during the summer can be overwhelming. With the countless activities, events and visitors, on the surface, it seems like there is never a slow moment. However, we promise there are quiet, relaxing times to enjoy our spaces. We looked into traffic information and upcoming events to help you plan your next visit accordingly. Check out what we found below! Early Morning Yoga Whether you’re comfortable on land or in the water, the Terrace and Lake Mendota will help you find your inner zen with early morning Yoga. Check out...
read more