A Fresh, Plant-Based Take on Wisconsin Union Dining: Inside Our First Chef-in-Residence Experience
At the Wisconsin Union, we’re always looking for ways to evolve our dining options to meet our guests’ tastes and needs. That thinking is part of what inspired our inaugural chef-in-residence initiative, an effort designed to bring new ideas to our menus. Most recently, we welcomed Chef Lauren Montalbano as our first chef-in-residence. The Idea The idea: invite a talented chef to collaborate with our skilled culinary team...
The Outdoor UW Team’s Favorite Wisconsin Camping Spots
From peaceful forest retreats to sandy lakeshores, Wisconsin is full of places to spend a day adventuring and a night under the stars. With so many options, deciding where to go can be a challenge. So we turned to people who know the outdoors. We asked the Outdoor UW team to share their favorite Wisconsin State Park System camping spots and the reasons they made the favorites list. We hope their recommendations inspire your next...
Three Gold Awards: Wisconsin Union Dining and Hospitality Team Earns National Recognition
Behind every Wisconsin Union meal, catering order and dining concept at the Wisconsin Union is a team focused on delicious food, great service, and so much more. The Wisconsin Union dining and hospitality team is dedicated to creating dining experiences for a lifetime, building student team members’ real-world skills, and bringing creative dining ideas to life. That work recently earned national recognition. The Wisconsin Union...
Student Committees, Connection and Community: Introducing the 2026-27 WUD Vice President of External Relations
At nearly any point during the academic year, the Wisconsin Union hosts a variety of events, many of which are programmed by the fully student-led Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) made up of 12 committees, including Art, Cuisine and Music, Hoofers outdoor clubs, and a board of student officers that oversee it all. Together, these students plan more than 1,000 events each year, bringing the programming we know and love to life and...
Madison Jazz Festival Brings Cadence and Community to the Terrace
Imagine this: a beautiful view of Lake Mendota, people dancing and a vibrant atmosphere with live jazz filling the air. This summer, that scene becomes a reality as the 2026 Madison Jazz Festival comes to the Memorial Union Terrace June 26-27. Alongside the many performers already set to take the UW Credit Union Summer Stage this summer, the Madison Jazz Festival brings a lineup of talented performers to the Terrace. Whether you...
Writing Her Next Chapter: How Kendall Ekern is Turning a Passion for Writing into a Profession
At the Wisconsin Union, communications coordinator Kendall Ekern is not just completing assignments as part of her internship. She is building a toolkit for a career rooted in communication, strategy and human connection, along with a portfolio that proves so-called “soft skills” deliver real results. As she helps tell the Union’s story, Kendall is also finishing her own chapter as a student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and...