New officers and directors share why WUD is special
By Brooke Appe
It’s hard to imagine what the Wisconsin Union would be like if it did not provide endless artistic, recreational, cultural and community service opportunities. From catching a movie on Friday night to visiting the latest art gallery, or from renting a canoe on Lake Mendota to picking up one of the many publications available to read in between classes, a group of students makes all of this possible: the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD).
To shine a light on this campus cornerstone, we introduce to you the 14 dedicated WUD officers and committee directors for this year who share what makes WUD so special in their eyes.
Sarah Matthews: President
Senior, English major with Education Policy Studies certificate
How did you become involved in WUD?
I had experienced being a WUD director and a WUD vice president and I wanted to learn more about and give back to the Union as a whole my last year at UW-Madison, so Union president seemed like a good choice.
Favorite memory with WUD:
There are so many! One funny one was from when I was a WUD director, and Kyle, the then-Film director, played a prank on me by boxing in my desk and work area with giant pieces of styrofoam. I decided to roll with it, and just did my work and had my meetings inside the styrofoam cage.
Tara Centeno: Vice President of Program Administration
Senior, Biology Neuroscience Major
How did you become involved in WUD?
I have been a Union employee since my second month on campus and it has always been a second home to me. I really love the big role that students play both in the staffing and programming of the Union, and how versatile the spaces in the two buildings can be. The Unions are used as study spaces, meeting places, you can catch a football game or a concert – sometimes all in the same day! Not many places offer that.
Favorite memory with WUD:
Our officer meetings are always a blast, but trying to figure out how we could incorporate an ice-cream truck into our float plan for the Homecoming Parade was definitely something I will always remember!
Jose Cornejo: Vice President of Public Relations
Senior
Hometown: Sussex, WI
When I’m not at the Union you will find me: reading, enjoying music and politics.
Ideal Career: Law, PR and Crisis Management
Courtney Severson: Vice President of Leadership and Development
Senior, Marketing/Supply Chain Management/Environmental Studies major
How did you become involved in WUD?
I wanted to be involved with WUD as an officer because I loved my time as a committee member and director. I wanted to make sure that other students had the same opportunity. I love WUD because of all of the wonderful people I’ve met!
Favorite memory with WUD:
Going to the Virgin Islands and building a mile of trail at St. John’s National Park on a winter Alternative Break.
Committee Directors:
Nick Pjevach: WUD Music Director
Senior, Computer Science major
How did you become involved in WUD Music?
Coming to see Fleet Foxes, A Hawk and a Hacksaw, Extra Golden and Icy Demons on Memorial Union Terrace in between my Junior and Senior years in high school with my then-girlfriend. The evening was so great that I wrote my application to UW about it and my desire to join WUD Music. It has given me exposure to the music industry, which I hope to enter after graduation
Favorite memory with WUD:
Driving members of Kreayshawn’s crew to Walmart then running into one of them in Austin, Texas at South by Southwest five months later and having him remember me.
Rayna Christman: WUD Film Director
Senior, German/German Education/Communication Arts: TV, Radio, Film major
How did you become involved in WUD Film?
I first got involved with WUD Film because they were showing the new Star Trek movie my freshman year and I’m a total nerd, and I stuck with it because I love how social this committee is. I’ve met so many of my close friends through WUD Film and enjoy hanging out with everyone each meeting and at screenings!
Favorite memory with WUD:
I’ve had so many amazing memories with WUD Film, from going to Sundance to our massive opening weekend at the Marquee. Though I’ll always remember our past director Kyle performing the entire Single Ladies dance with full leotard and heels at the Oscars party. Maybe that’s my most scarring memory…
Ben Ferris: WUD Performing Arts Director
Senior, Music Education major
How did you become involved in WUD Performing Arts?
I became involved because I was interested in bringing a number of Jazz Artists to campus.
Favorite memory with WUD:
I love that the students have so much say in which artists are selected for the Union Theater season, as well as the professional experience that we get to do, working with artists, agents, and the Union Theater Staff. What I love most about the job is facilitating interaction between the artists and campus with outreach events. These events help to bridge students with the professional world and can make lasting impressions on the students.
David Ruiz: WUD Society & Politics Director
Senior, English major with Computer Science certificate
How did you become involved in WUD Society & Politics?
I think it’s a very valuable campus service. When I was a freshman and sophomore, I went to a lot of WUD events and didn’t think anything of it. Then I realized it and how it’s really impressive what the Union does to put students in control and I wanted to give back to campus. I love talking politics.
Favorite memory with WUD:
The table talk with Libya was a huge success and seeing an idea from fruition to execution was awesome.
I had sent out emails to professors in the area and also to political science people. Through that I got in touch with one guy who was able to get Libyans to come and discuss the situation over there.
Isabel Cupino: WUD Global Connections Director
Junior, Biology major with Certificates in Creative Writing and Gender & Women’s Studies
How did you become involved in WUD Global Connections?
Since I first came to UW-Madison, I knew that I wanted to be involved in the multicultural community and diversity initiatives. That’s why I was drawn to Global Connections, which is a committee that strives to bring together the international and domestic communities on campus and bridge the gap between them. I love that we can get people from all over the world in one room to develop understanding and gain global insight from one another. It’s one of those opportunities that won’t normally happen after college, and the people who come to our events recognize that.
Favorite memory with WUD:
I love the WUD community and the camaraderie it creates. It’s hard to pinpoint an exact memory, but funny things tend to happen when everyone’s working in the office late at night. Lots of bonding happens there.
Heather Heggemeier: WUD Publications Director
Senior, Journalism and Strategic Communication
How did you become involved in WUD Publications?
I love the written word and the impact it can have on people’s lives. WUD Publications Committee is such an incredible entity. We celebrate and promote literacy through our fantastic events and professional quality publications. Getting involved in our committee is one of the best investments a student interested in the publishing world can make for their future, because we provide experiences in writing, evaluating, photography, layout, and much more. I love PubCom because it allows me to spread my love for reading and writing while developing my resume.
Favorite memory with WUD:
Hanging out with the planning team after a successful event is one of the best feelings a person can get. I love these moments – they’re what get me through the chaotic ones leading up to the event!
Carly Herzog: WUD Art Director
Senior, Entrepreneurship and Art History major
How did you become involved in WUD Art?
During my first semester at UW I had the opportunity to help install a show after a committee meeting. An older committee member asked for my opinion on a part of the show layout, and then took my suggestion! That was a big deal to me that as a freshman my point of view still mattered. I had always loved art and now I had the opportunity to be directly involved in bringing it to campus.
Favorite memory with WUD:
One weekend during my sophomore year the Art Committee drove to the Walker Art Museum in Minneapolis, MN. One of the exhibits, “Naked,” by the Japanese performance artists Eiko and Koma, inexplicably moved me to tears. If a show that the committee puts on can evoke that kind of response in just one person, I will consider my time on WUD a success.
Neil Damron: WUD Distinguished Lecture Series Director
Sophomore, Political Science major
How did you become involved in WUD DLS?
At first, I was attracted to DLS because I recognized one of the speakers who the committee had planned to bring last year and I wanted to meet him. Over time, I began to realize what an incredible opportunity DLS is and ended up staying with the committee. I am inspired by the mission behind the committee: to encourage thought by spreading unique ideas and to provide an educational experience outside the classroom for students, faculty, and community members. I love being a part of making that mission take form in reality.
Favorite memory with WUD:
The Paul Farmer event, my first event as director, and seeing the committee at work the night of my event without needing my guidance and pulling off an incredibly successful event with full attendance. It was an amazing feeling to see everything go off so smoothly.
Michael Rugnetta: Hoofers President
Senior, Economics major
How did you become involved in Hoofers?
I was a member of the UW Alpine Ski Team and saw it as a way to gain leadership experience. I also really enjoy all the outdoor activities that Hoofers offers.
Favorite memory with WUD:
My favorite memory so far was helping to coordinate the Ski and Snowboard Resale my sophomore year and having it be a huge success.
Chris Martin: WUD Alternative Breaks Director
Senior, French major
Hometown: Boston, MA
When I’m not at the Union you will find me: skiing and kayaking
Ideal Career: Real Estate Investment
