Blog
Let the Good Times Roll at Union South’s Mardi Gras Event
Take a trip down South at Union South Feb. 28 with a special Mardi Gras celebration, featuring a delicious menu of eclectic food and beer plus live music and crafts. It’ll be hard to walk away hungry from a menu that will feature rich traditional New Orleans dishes including: Crawfish Po-Boy Oyster Po-Boy Catfish Po-Boy Cajun Chicken Po-Boy Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage Crawfish Étouffée Want even more? The Sett will also offer a shareable Mardi Gras feast platter perfect for a group of four featuring: Fried Oysters Fried...
read moreValentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day, We’ve Got You Covered
Whether you are spending time with your special someone, just want to try something new, or are taking a page out of Leslie Knope’s book and celebrating with friends, the Wisconsin Union has you covered. With crafting events, musical guests and great films, you can make the days ahead ones to remember. If you’re looking to just relax, our stress relieving pottery may be exactly what you need. Or, if you enjoy getting lost in a great film, “When Harry Met Sally” may be your perfect Valentine’s week escape. Check out the list of some of...
read moreWhen You Gotta Go at Memorial Union
When you gotta go, you gotta go. And the good news is, when you gotta go at Memorial Union, there are plenty of restrooms to choose from. Thirteen to be exact,and more are coming in fall 2017. Plus, we don’t like to brag (Who are we kidding? Yes, we do!), The Badger Herald recently rated Memorial Union’s new first floor lavatories 5/5 for perfect ventilation, two-ply tissue paper, strong cell service, and more. Yes, there’s even more to love about the quality and comfort of our washrooms. This isn’t the first time The Badger Herald team has...
read moreKnow Your WUD Leader: Deshawn McKinney
Deshawn McKinney, the president of the Wisconsin Union, offers this advice to students: Take advantage of each and every opportunity, whether that is studying abroad or joining a student organization. McKinney, a University of Wisconsin-Madison senior, is doing just that. He is an activist, an artist, a scholar studying creative writing and African American studies, and so much more. He was also recently awarded both the Truman and Marshall Scholarships. As Union president, McKinney chairs the Union Council, the governing board of the Union,...
read moreWisconsin Union Seeks Students Passionate about Campus and Community
For many at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) and in the community, the Wisconsin Union is a culmination of the fantastic destinations and activities that we all share. For some students, the Union offers far more than a place to relax, eat delicious food and learn through experiences for a lifetime. For these students, the Union offers the chance to build lifelong friendships and gain hands-on experiences in multiple fields through Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) leadership opportunities. Each year, the Wisconsin Union team...
read moreDer Rathskeller Comfort Food Brings Warmth to Winter
We don’t need Groundhog Day to tell us Wisconsin winters are long and cold. With the warm, sunny Terrace days still out of reach, it’s the perfect time to turn inside and warm up with cozy comfort food at der Rathskeller. The renovations at der Rathskeller brought not only new spaces to hide from the cold, but new delicious dishes in addition to the return of your favorite classic meals. Participate in Wisconsin traditions and order delectable deep fried cheese curds. With a perfect crunchy outside to gooey melted cheese ratio, the curds are...
read moreBehind the Scenes at the Union: Joe the Painter
Joe Padgham, known as “Joe the painter” around the Union, sits down to admire the 90-year-old ceiling of the Founder’s Room in Memorial Union. He’s dressed in white painter’s pants and a white button-down shirt, speckled with paint and plaster. Joe is a defender of history, a champion of the cracked, faded and crumbling, and a historical conservationist in his own right. He appreciates detail. Joe is a painter by trade, but he is also a storyteller who works to keep the Union together – literally. He sat down with us to share his...
read moreMembers Invited to Second Annual Hearts & Drafts
Words cannot express how grateful, we, at the Wisconsin Union, are for our members’ support. So, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we are showing Union members how much we appreciate them through chocolate. Fine chocolates and drafts will come together once again at the Wisconsin Union’s member-exclusive event Hearts & Drafts on Feb. 19 at Union South. Interested in attending? Wisconsin Union Membership Director Jan Viney recommends purchasing a ticket early as last year’s 200 tickets sold out quickly. The membership team increased the number...
read moreYou’re Invited to a Union Housewarming Party!
We’ll soon open three restaurants in Memorial Union, making our first floor complete. Wisconsin Union members are invited to celebrate with us at our Housewarming Party on Jan. 20. Like any good host does, we’re offering hors d’oeuvres, a warm ambiance and special party favors to our guests. All Wisconsin Union members are encouraged to visit the Membership table in the Gekas Lounge (formerly the Trophy Room) between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to receive a limited time, members-only gift from our team. We want to thank you for your contributions to...
read moreDer Rathskeller Features New Food, Same Comforting Feel
Gemütlichkeit (noun): a feeling of warmth, friendliness, good cheer and belonging. This German term has come to guide the role of Memorial Union’s der Rathskeller as a social space to gather and unwind in good company. With the opening of whole first floor of Memorial Union Jan. 17 the historic and beloved der Rathskeller is once again open to students, staff and community members. Above all, while visitors will notice some new features in der Rath, its rich history and traditional German beer hall remains. MUR planners and builders have made...
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