Blog
Out-of-Classroom Learning for a Lifetime
During the past spring semester, Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) student leaders ventured away from their campus living room for invaluable, unforgettable out-of-classroom learning experiences made possible, in part, by the support of Wisconsin Union members and donors. Thousands of student leaders take part, each year, in WUD, our organization’s student programming and leadership board. WUD is made of up 10 committees and one club, which do everything from curating art galleries to offering outdoor recreation. WUD student leaders gain from...
read moreAdventure Awaits at Outdoor UW
Through Outdoor UW, students and members have opportunities galore to explore the outdoors and dip their toes in the water (literally!) with different activity opportunities. From kayaking on Lake Mendota to basecamp experiences for incoming freshmen and transfer students, there is something for everyone this summer at Outdoor UW, no matter what their experience level. Outdoor UW offers a progression of rent, learn and join which provides opportunities for members from their first low-cost introduction with an activity all the way up to...
read moreHow do They do that: Booking Bands for the Terrace
The students in the Wisconsin Union Directorate Music Committee are so talented, they make putting on weekly concerts look easy. However, behind the beat, there’s a lot of work that goes on to make these shows possible, especially during the summer season of Terrace After Dark. With up to five shows a week, plus a weekly open mic night, Terrace After Dark programming is anything but scaled back for WUD Music. For decades, WUD Music has booked, promoted and covered shows every weekend at Memorial Union’s der Rathskeller and the Terrace,...
read moreBringing the ‘60s Back to Memorial Union
Dust off your Mary Janes, and crank up The Beatles. The ‘60s are coming back to Memorial Union June 14-16 for the Madison Reunion, a party with a purpose. The Madison Reunion, a nonprofit created by Madisonians and ‘60s University of Wisconsin-Madison alumni Ben and Judy Sidran, will feature panels and performances, film showings, art, tours, tie-dye and free tunes on the Terrace. About 1,000 UW-Madison alumni will return to Memorial Union during the Reunion. The event will kick off June 14 at 11 a.m. at the Memorial Union Terrace, where the...
read moreShake Up your Group Outing with the Wisconsin Union
Planning your next corporate gathering or team-building get-together? We, the Wisconsin Union team, invite you take shake up your outing with our affordable activities. You can join us for one activity, or we can work with you to create a package tailored to your team’s needs. (“Trust falls” not included.) Cheryl Fanning, the director of member sales and service at the UW Credit Union, recently took her team outside of the “trust fall” with the Union’s most popular group event: instructor-led painting at Wheelhouse Studios. With this event,...
read moreA User’s Guide to the Terrace
Some people rely on Groundhog Day to determine when spring will finally bloom. But at the Wisconsin Union, we have our own method to signify the start of a new season: The return of the Terrace chairs. Though a late April snowstorm delayed the Terrace opening, we were thrilled to see everyone line up to carry the famous chairs out to the Terrace April 24. Since then, the green, orange and yellow chairs have been filled with students, faculty, alumni, families and more every day. More than just a pretty face, the Terrace has dozens of...
read moreBehind the Scenes at the Union: Riley Garcia
Badger Bash, March Madness watch parties, live music and more. These are just some of the events at Sett Pub. While you’re enjoying the exciting life of a Badger, there are countless people who work behind the scenes to bring you the best Wisconsin Union experience possible. We would like to introduce you to one of those people. His name is Riley Garcia, and he is the general manager of the Sett Pub. In this article, we’ll tell you more about him and how he keeps Sett Pub running smoothly. What does your position as general manager entail? I...
read moreTaste of the Union: Vegan Fare
When you think of the Wisconsin Union, you may think of the Ginger Root team serving its famous sesame chicken or der Rathskeller with its burgers and cheese curds. But, did you know that Union South’s and Memorial Union’s restaurants and cafes have many delicious vegan options that, whether you’re vegan or not, will have you writing odes to veggies? We had our entire community’s dietary needs in mind when we created our menus. I tried some of the vegan fare at Memorial Union and Union South to give you a first-hand look at each item. (It’s a...
read moreWisconsin Union Team Provides Insider’s Look at Graduation Weekend
By Jade Anthony and Shauna Breneman Long before University of Wisconsin-Madison seniors receive their diplomas, our effort at the Wisconsin Union to prepare an unforgettable graduation weekend at Memorial Union and Union South commences. From live music to graduation gatherings, it all happens with the help of more 2,000 Union employees with a shared goal: make graduation weekend special for all who come to our buildings. In this story, we take you behind the scenes of graduation weekend at Union South and Memorial Union and introduce you to...
read moreUnion 101: The History of the Wisconsin Union’s Creation
Almost 114 years have passed since former University of Wisconsin-Madison President Charles Van Hise called for a student union to be created during his inaugural address to the campus community. Inspired by unions at Ivy League universities and Oxford, Van Hise originally envisioned the union as a place for students to congregate after class. “When the students are done with their work in the evening, the attractive union is at hand, where refreshments may be had, and a pleasant hour may be spent at games, with magazines, in a novel, or in...
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