Thinking Forward Together: Interview with the Union Deputy Director
What is the Wisconsin Union? Yes, we may be incredible buildings like the iconic Memorial Union and innovative Union South. But, we’re far more than brick and mortar. We are people, community and relationships. We are the heart and soul of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As we come to the end of renovation projects at both of our major locations, we, at the Union, are taking time to think about who we are, how we contribute to...
The Show Must Go On: The Union Brings Fun Inside with Winter Programming
For those of you who thought fun at the Wisconsin Union ended when the Terrace chairs went inside, think again. The months after the chairs go into hibernation might include a blizzard or two, but we’ve got you covered when the outdoors are just too harsh to bear. Take a look at what’s happening at the Union this winter and early spring: Lea Salonga Her voice is immediately recognizable and her talent is undeniable. Lea Salonga will...
1940s Love Story Joins Generations of Union Members
Dozens of traditions are passed down across generations of Badgers at the Wisconsin Union. From favorite ice cream flavors to a Terrace sunset, for more than 100 years the Union has joined thousands of students and alumni alike. For one family, the Union is not only the “heart and soul” of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but also the bridge between a 1940s love story and today. Donned in Cardinal Red and white, Badger alumni...
Valentine’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...
Wisconsin 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...
Behind 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...