Blog
You’re invited to the grand opening!
In 1904, University of Wisconsin President Charles Van Hise articulated his vision of a Union building to provide for “the communal life of instructors and students in work, in play and in student relations. Over a hundred years later, the Wisconsin Union is only days away from opening a campus landmark that is ready for the 21st century. For months now, a group of students and staff at the Union have been meeting to put together a spectacular grand opening weekend–and you’re invited! Of special note to community members: Bash...
read moreWisconsin Union unveils new website
The Union South building project and the upcoming Memorial Union renovation provide a fresh look to the physical appearance of the Wisconsin Union. Along with these facility changes, the Union marketing department has launched a brand new website. The website was designed with the user in mind and was broadened to make sure content was compatible with the diverse needs of visitors–whether students, faculty, Union members, or the community. The overall design focuses more on visual elements and less on body copy. More than 40,000 files were...
read moreThe times are a-changing
Dear Friends, To say that life has been a little “out of the ordinary” at the Union the last two weeks would be a major understatement. While some of us may wonder from time to time if the news in Madison reaches beyond the midwest, that has certainly not been a concern of late. During this complex time, the Union has continued to be a “go to” place for meetings, discussions, and gatherings during the well-publicized events for many people from all political view points. In case you’ve missed a few of the details along the way, there are two...
read moreSneak peek of Union South
As of today, we are only 42 days until the grand opening of Union South! If you have not had a chance to keep up-to-date with the building progress on Facebook or the website, here is a recap of recent photos: Sun Garden Prairie Fire Bowling alley test The Marquee We also invite you to check out a video tour to get a sneak peek of some of the building’s spaces and features. We hope you do not mind the construction, as there is still plenty of work to be done in a little over a month. Special guest narrator: Mark Guthier, Wisconsin Union...
read moreHoofer Sailing Club busy out at “The Farm”
A letter from the Vice Comodore – Hello from the Hoofer Sailing Club! While it might seem like the Sailing Club would be slow during the winter, it’s just a matter of looking in the right places to find the action. Sailors are dedicating many hours out at a place we fondly call “The Farm,” working on repairing our J- and keelboat fleet so they will be ready for the upcoming season. The Farm actually is a real farm. A former Hoofer member is director of the UW Agriculture research farm and allows us to rent out space in the barn to work...
read moreArt collection donation brings one Union story full circle
When Larry Neckar stopped outside the Porter Butts gallery in the Memorial Union, he didn’t expect to see his brother’s name anywhere in the gallery, much less on a plaque as the first winner of the Porter Butts Creative Arts Award. Neckar decided to contact the Wisconsin Union Art Collection manager, Robin Schmoldt, to see if the Union would like a piece of his brother’s artwork, titled “Space Blooms,” to add to the collection. Robin jumped at the chance. “It was a perfect marriage of the Union story, of something coming...
read moreModern jazz vocalist to perform at Union Theater
Dianne Reeves, famous jazz vocalist, will be performing in the Wisconsin Union Theater Friday, April 8. The Union Theater and Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee will also take this opportunity to announce much of its 2011-2012 season. Reeves has been interested in music since she was a small child living in Detroit. She began singing with a big band by the time she was 16, earning national recognition by jazz educators. Steve Braunginn, host of Strictly Jazz Sounds on WORT, says: “Dianne Reeves has found her own sound, her...
read moreMemorial Union Reinvestment survey results
A big thank you to all of you who took a minute to fill out the survey in last fall’s email newsletter! We asked members for feedback on the upcoming Memorial Union Reinvestment to learn more about what people want to change and what they hope to keep the same. Here is some of the interesting things we learned: 1. Top five words when asked ‘What words come to mind when you think of Memorial Union?’: – Lakeside – ‘Madison’ – Historic – Heart & soul of campus – Social 2. Top choice for members...
read moreNew cinema continues 70 years of film experiences at the Union
For film buffs, one of the highlights of the new Union South will definitely be the opening of the cinema, appropriately dubbed “The Marquee.” Not only will the new space feature 350 plush, Badger red seats equipped with cup holders, but it have the capability to show films 5-7 nights a week on a high definition digital or classic 35 mm projector. Although The Marquee aims to be the new home for film on campus, the Wisconsin Union has actually been bringing film to the community for the last 70 years. The Wisconsin Union...
read moreNew technology brings new possibilities
The advent of the first edition of our online Terrace Views happens to coincide with the same weekend that I have just attempted to connect a new wireless printer at home to our family laptop. To say I am just a little bit frustrated right now would be an understatement. I had dreamed of many other ways to spend three hours this afternoon – especially given the break in the winter weather. I hope the Union’s use of technology with the new Terrace Views is vastly more successful than my personal use of the same. I already know I’m going to...
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