How to: Interacting with Animals on the Terrace
While sitting on the Memorial Union Terrace and enjoying a cold beverage and the warm Madison summer sun, you will likely see a variety of other guests enjoying the bustle and scenery. But more than just human guests visit the Terrace. It is home to ducks, geese, songbirds, loons and squirrels, as well. These animals are wild and share the space with the guests that flock to the Terrace each day. They’re our unscheduled entertainment...
Behind the Scenes at the Union: Sarah Calvert
While you may know about Outdoor UW at Memorial Union, including its abundance of rental equipment and endless outdoor classes, there are some pretty amazing student employees and volunteers who make it all possible. One of these students is 22-year-old Sarah Calvert, who, while preparing for physical therapy graduate school, teaches yoga classes for Outdoor UW. Teaching both Terrace yoga and stand up paddleboard (SUP) yoga, Sarah...
Return of the Terrace Chairs: Before and After
There are dozens of signs of spring and even summer blooming all over Madison. From the thawing of Lake Mendota to a bright green grassy Bascom Hill, Wisconsin Union Members can finally look forward to more enjoyable weather. Here at the Union, we have our own favorite sign of the warmer temperatures: The return of the Terrace chairs. Check out these before-and-after pictures of the Terrace, and see how hundreds of students, alumni...
Behind the Scenes at the Union: Courtney Byelich, Music Committee Advisor
You may recognize the names of performers at the Wisconsin Union like CRASHprez, Pat McCurdy and the Chainsmokers. But, you may not know the name of the Union team member helping make it all happen behind the scenes for the past five years. This master of performance planning is Courtney Byelich, Wisconsin Union music advisor. As an advisor, she helps the student leaders of the Wisconsin Union Directorate Music Committee bring music...
Women Changing the World
Since 1987, the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Distinguished Lecture Series has hosted many influential, world-changing women. In honor of Women’s History Month, we highlight some of those who have graced the stage of Memorial Union’s Shannon Hall. Laverne Cox, 2015-2016 lecture series Laverne Cox is an actress, television producer and LGBTQ+ advocate. In 2014, she was named Woman of the Year by Glamour Magazine and in 2015, she...
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...