Blog
Behind the Scenes at the Union: Lance Raney
It’s a Badger football home gameday and you’re surrounded by a sea of red and white. “Build me up Buttercup” and “Sweet Caroline” blast over the loudspeakers. Bucky is busy posing for photo-ops, and the Spirit Squad is getting ready to cheer on the Badgers. I bet we can guess where you are. Badger Bash has been one of the Wisconsin Union’s greatest game day traditions for more than 40 years. And while you’re busy tailgating your heart out, there are countless people behind the scenes who make this amazing event possible. Lance Raney is one of...
read moreThe Story of the Steins
The walls of Memorial Union can’t talk-but the Steins do. A signature of both der Stiftskeller and der Rathskeller is the eclectic stein collection lining the muraled walls. Generations of Badgers and Union members have donated their own steins to the collection, and some even slipped notes in, commemorating their time at the Union. During renovations of Memorial Union, the Steins were washed, tagged, organized and stored, giving employees the chance to get an up-close look at each stein–and the personal notes left inside. Over 300...
read moreFun, Food and Philharmonic Music: The Tudor Holiday Dinner Concerts
The fun, lively-and most importantly delicious-feasts enjoyed by nobles in Tudor England date back to over 500 years ago. As the legend goes, the original idea of a boar’s head feast originated in England when a scholar encountered a wild boar in his path. He knocked the animal out with a heavy book, and presented it at a Christmas mass banquet. Here at the Wisconsin Union, the feast is prepared more conventionally, but the spirit of the tradition is kept alive through the 84th Tudor Holiday Dinner Concerts from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3—this year’s...
read moreWisconsin Union Theater: A Ghost Story
Ever felt a ghost’s presence while enjoying a show at the Wisconsin Union Theater? Check out this video created by theater staff and learn about our phantom friends just in time for Halloween as told by our Theater Director Ralph Russo.
read moreNew Digital Kiosk Commemorates Soldiers in Gold Star Honor Roll
With less than a month until Veterans Day, the Wisconsin Union is looking ahead to commemorate our fallen soldiers. Together with our partner, the UW-Madison classes of 1963 and 1967, we will unveil a new digital kiosk telling soldiers stories on Nov. 11 on the second floor of Memorial Union in the main hall. This new memorial will include soldiers’ names ranging from the Civil War to modern day conflicts. Memorial Union was named as a memorial to UW-Madison service members who served in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and World War...
read moreLakefront Marina Project to enhance experiences for a lifetime
Originated in 1939, the Hoofer Sailing Club at the Wisconsin Union has been a long-time, integral part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison outdoor experience. From lessons to youth programs, the club provides a wide variety of sailing experiences for people of all ages. The current infrastructure used by the sailing club has been in place for almost 40 years, but natural wear and tear has deteriorated the piers. The vision for the Lakefront Pier, Marina and Greenspace Project was born in 2015. The Union team is aiming to replace all...
read moreWelcome from Wisconsin Union President Iffat Bhuiyan
On behalf of the Wisconsin Union, including the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD), welcome to the start of a new academic year. We hope you’ll join us to have fun, learn and lead. You may think you don’t know WUD, but it’s very likely you’ve already been to one of our student-led, out-of-classroom events, like a film showing at Union South or a concert on the Memorial Union Terrace. WUD (pronounced like “wood”) is the board of 16 student-led committees and clubs that organize some of the best out-of-classroom experiences on campus. During...
read moreHappy Birthday, WUD Cuisine!
The Wisconsin Union Directorate’s (WUD’s) newest committee, WUD Cuisine, has turned one! The past year has been full of growth, learning and community involvement, and the committee’s newest director, Sydney Weiser, joined us to reflect on the successes and future of the Cuisine Committee. “First and foremost, we aim to be a place where students can start thinking about cuisine and the food system at large,” Weiser said. “Food is a really great place for personal relationships, and we want to help facilitate that.” To create and promote...
read moreHuddle Up with Friends, Family at Badger Bash to Kick Off Football Games
Autumn in Wisconsin is almost synonymous with football. So what better place to kick off the Badgers’ kickoff than Union South? Just steps from the monumental Camp Randall Stadium, at Union South, Badger Bash offers food, drinks and entertainment—indoors and out. The Union has been hosting the family-friendly Badger Bash for more than 40 years. This event is free and open to the public [and even to the opponent team’s fans!] Badger Bash starts 2.5 hours before each home game, and features a festive performance by the UW-Madison Marching Band...
read moreStop by the Memorial Union Open House for New Views
It’s time to pull back the velvet curtains at Memorial Union: Join us Tues., Oct. 10 from 2 p.m.-7 p.m. for an open house as we unveil our brand new renovations on floors two through four. The event, open to union and corporate members, campus departments, registered student organizations and our partners, will introduce you to all our new spaces. Looking at hosting an event at Memorial Union soon? Spaces like the historic Great Hall ballroom will be decorated to showcase the endless possibilities of its use, from weddings to a nice dinner....
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