Calling all former WUD members…
By Emily Connor
Graduation brings new opportunities and changes for all students. Sadly, moving away from the beloved campus is often one. But the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) decided that long ago goodbyes were not enough and a reunion was due to find out what happened to old friends.
“We’ve never done anything like this before,” said Susan Dibbell, the assistant director for program leadership and development. “It is really just a way to reconnect with old directorate members, directors and coordinators to see what all our friends have been up to.”
The reunion will take place Thursday, November 3 through Saturday, November 5. Since WUD is such a social group, a large part of the reunion will be devoted to sharing and reconnecting. However, lectures have also been set up so past WUD members can share some of their career experience and advice for current students. Susan said the timing of the reunion works out well, as the new Union South has just opened and plans to renovate Memorial Union are underway. “We want to get everybody to see the brand new Union South, but we also want to get opinions and share plans for the Memorial Union reinvestment project,” said Susan.
Currently, a large social is planned for Friday evening. Guests will be able to talk and mingle and reconnect with old members. Current WUD members will also use the time to share updates from committees and plans for this coming year. A group photo is also scheduled.
On Saturday, the reunion will move to Union South to attend Badger Bash. After the game, lectures and mini talk sessions are scheduled throughout the day for past members to share their career experiences. Lectures about how to properly market oneself and use Union experiences will be topics from which current members can choose. Periodic tours of campus and Union South will be available for old members to see what’s new.
On Saturday night, a large reception is planned at Union South for more mixing and mingling. Food stations featuring international cuisine will be set up throughout Varsity Hall. A short program about WUD will take place that evening before WUD music program advisor Brooke Jackson’s band Hot Money takes the stage to entertain the audience.
But the time spent this November weekend won’t easily be forgotten. A time capsule will be prepared and saved for future generations. Anyone can contribute to the time capsule, and the Union is eager for suggestions. Most importantly, for past and present WUD members, the reunion will be a time to reconnect and remember that old friends are never forgotten.
For more information about the WUD reunion and a complete list of events, you can visit WUD’s website.
The WUD Reunion is on Facebook! Log in here to learn about who will be attending, the latest news on events and to see pictures and videos of past members.
