Blog
Storyteller Series: Behind the Scenes at the Union
As students, we come to the Wisconsin Union with the expectation that it will be ready for us. We come to the Union to study, to eat dinner with friends, to listen to music, to relax, to work, to attend concerts and lectures, and to participate activities and clubs. The Union is a place that we consider comfortable, that we consider open, that we consider safe; but we may not consider how it comes to be that way for us each and every day. We may not notice all that happens behind the curtain, but trust me when I say it’s a busy backstage...
read moreUW-Madison Community Celebrates Magical Night at Annual Yule Ball
Wands, broomsticks and black hats decorated Varsity Hall in Union South Nov. 18 as hundreds of guests from the UW-Madison community spent the evening at the annual Harry Potter themed charity event and winter dance the Yule Ball. The free event hosted by the Wisconsin Union Directorate Publications Committee included lessons in wand-making with help from craft wizards from WUD Art and Wheelhouse Studios. The magical night featured live entertainment from Under A-Rest a cappella, WSUM DJs and improv comedy by the Titanic Players. UW-Madison...
read moreBlind Boys of Alabama to Perform Concert, Meet and Greet Union Members
For over 70 years, the gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama has traveled the country performing for everyone from Martin Luther King Jr. to the President of the United States. You won’t have to go far to see them perform this year; the multi-award winning group will be performing at the Wisconsin Union Theater Thursday Dec. 1 opening with gospel singer Liz Vice. Following the performances, a special meet-and-greet will be held for Union members attending the event! Few music groups have a story as unique as The Blind Boys of Alabama, which...
read moreUW-Madison Early Voting Sites, Voter ID Production Increase Student Convenience
Early voting took place on UW-Madison’s campus for the first time this fall at Union South and the Student Activity Center to increase voting access and convenience for students. Around campus students could early vote and receive their voter ID, giving thousands of students the opportunity to vote in national and local elections. In the end, 7,345 students received voter IDs for the election, 989 of which were printed on Election Day. The university had voter ID spots at multiple voting locations such as the Red Gym, Memorial Library, Gordon...
read moreNovember Grace Period: Now and Then
As the temperature drops, the sun sets earlier and students finish up yet another round of midterms, everyone can start to enjoy autumn in Madison even more. Of course it’s important to remember this grace period before Thanksgiving has been enjoyed for generations of fellow Badgers. Check out the following collection of vintage photos from around campus. Is it any different than how you spent your fall in Madison? Photos courtesy of the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections, Wisconsin Union Marketing, Leo Roth/VMM, Wisconsin Union...
read moreMemorial Union Reinvestment Invests in Accessibility for All
The Wisconsin Union is dedicated to serving as a campus living room for everyone. This is why we committed to making our building completely accessible from bottom to top through the Memorial Union Reinvestment. The improved yet historically preserved Memorial Union, expected to fully open in late 2017, features ramps, elevators and doorways that meet standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Updates include a ramp installed on the second floor to connect the central and east wings, a raised Terrace that is now level with...
read moreThanksgiving to Go Meals Bring Great Food, Ease to Families
Stressing over burnt turkeys, soggy stuffing and lumpy mashed potatoes isn’t worth the hassle of making a Thanksgiving dinner from scratch. Don’t waste time in the kitchen scrubbing pots and pans when you could be enjoying a delicious pre-cooked meal with you family; let Wisconsin Union Catering do the work for you with Thanksgiving to Go! From savory side dishes to sweet desserts, the menu is filled with Thanksgiving favorites that can be purchased à la carte, as individual meals or as family meals. Fill out your meal order form here until...
read moreGold Star Honor Roll to Remember UW-Madison’s Fallen Soldiers
Have you ever wondered how Memorial Union got its name? A little-known fact is that the building was dedicated as a memorial to UW-Madison’s Civil War, Spanish-American War and World War I service members. The Gold Star Honor Roll Program will honor these fallen soldiers and tell their stories. The symbolism of the “gold star” dates back to World War I. A family that had a family member in the service displayed a card with a blue star in the window of their home. If the service member passed away in active duty, a card with a gold star...
read moreTudor Dinners Keep Rich Traditions Alive
As the legend goes, the traditional Boar’s Head Feast originated in England when a scholar was walking through the forest to Christmas mass. A wild boar emerged in his path, so he used the heavy book to knock out the animal before presenting it as the centerpiece of the banquet that night. While the Wisconsin Union uses more conventional methods to prepare the feast, the spirit of the tradition is kept alive through the Tudor Holiday Dinner Concerts. Get in the mood for the holiday season and attend one of the annual dinners, taking place the...
read moreFarm to Table Bags Make Healthy Cooking Simple for Students
When you hear the words “college student diet,” what foods come to mind? Most likely cheap, fatty foods with little nutritional value like ramen, pizza, mac ’n’ cheese and ice cream. The Wisconsin Union is hoping to change that. The Campus Farmers’ Market at Union South, which takes place Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., aims to promote sustainability and support the community by offering local produce from area vendors. New this year to the market are Farm to Table bags. For $8, you receive a bagful of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables...
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