Blog
Skate Away on Your Next Outdoor UW Adventure
Looking for a new way to celebrate the winter season at the Wisconsin Union? Glide into a new activity with Outdoor UW – ice skating on Lake Mendota! There’s no better way to enjoy the outdoors and the company of friends than by cruising across the ice in front of Memorial Union, savoring the fresh air. And the best part is, you won’t have to invest in skates just to enjoy a few sessions on the lake – you can just rent them at Outdoor UW for a low hourly fee. “We’re excited to be introducing another opportunity to have people coming to the...
read moreSouper Supporters: Wheelhouse Artists Create Bowls for UW–Madison Habitat for Humanity
As their hands sculpted soft clay into beautiful bowls, Wheelhouse Studios artists, hobbyists and students helped shape the future of a local family on Oct. 9 by crafting handmade bowls. Their donated creations will be sold as a part of a fundraiser for the University of Wisconsin–Madison chapter of Habitat for Humanity. The event, titled the Souper Bowl, is the chapter’s largest annual benefit to raise money toward the construction of a home for a Dane County family in need. On Feb. 4, 2023, UW–Madison Habitat for Humanity will be hosting...
read morePrinting Up a Storm: StudentPrint Celebrates 50 Years
The world has seen a lot of change over the past half-century – and StudentPrint (SP) has been there for it all. SP started as a source for printing protest materials in 1972 and has seen its share of social and technological revolution. Through many transformations, the campus print shop has continued its role as the best spot in Madison for deals on all types of printing jobs. Whether it’s stickers, posters, T-shirts, or copies, SP’s 50 years of expertise extends far beyond paper projects to bring high quality products to meet every need....
read moreRecognition and Visibility: Introducing the National Pan-Hellenic Council and Multicultural Greek Council Rooms at Memorial Union
Memorial Union may have opened its doors for the first time in 1928 – almost a century ago – but its historic halls have been a space for change since their creation. This decade is no exception. As the social center and living room of the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus that hosts thousands of student and community groups’ events each year, Memorial Union serves as a space for learning and important gatherings. In July 2021, two integral campus organizations – the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the Multicultural Greek...
read moreStudent 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 help guide the Union’s operations. One of the students involved in making this happen is Ruby Royston, a junior...
read moreMadison 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 are a longtime jazz listener or are new to the genre, every performance invites you into a shared experience...
read moreUnion South 15th Anniversary Celebration Recap
April brought an especially festive (and also busy) energy to the Wisconsin Union, and while a full event calendar is nothing new for us, this month stood out due to a major milestone. One of our beloved facilities, Union South, turned 15 which meant there was a reason to celebrate, and celebrate, we did! April 15 marked the official 15th anniversary of the Union South building as it exists on campus today. After two years of construction, the building officially opened on April 15, 2011, taking the place of the original building constructed...
read moreWriting 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 preparing to write the next one: life after college. A creative path Kendall always knew she loved writing....
read moreDeliciously Reducing Food Waste (and Saving You Money)
At the Wisconsin Union, we’re always looking for ways to be more sustainable and meet our community’s needs. So you can imagine our excitement when we found an opportunity to prevent food waste and make our food even more affordable. New sustainability, affordability initiative You can now buy unsold food from our dining options through the Goodie Bag app. Here’s how it works: Our team gathers food that didn’t sell. (Think sandwiches, baked goods and other favorites from our markets.) We bundle it and offer it through the app at...
read moreWisconsin Union Event Spaces – Staff Picks
Across the Wisconsin Union, there are countless spaces for events. Ranging from the Fluno Center for Educational Excellence to Union South, there is certainly a space for each event. To find out the inside scoop, I asked some Wisconsin Union staff members about their favorite Union event spaces. Wisconsin Union Marketing Associate Director Tammy Schwartzer doesn’t have just one favorite event space; she has two. She mentioned both Play Circle Theater and Tripp Commons as her favorite spaces, both located in Memorial Union. She is drawn...
read moreBuilding Experiences for a Lifetime Together: Day of the Badger
At the Wisconsin Union, we believe in the power of places, experiences, and community places in helping shape a person and in helping people learn and find a sense of belonging. From student leader meetings that shape our events to late nights filled with music, conversation and connection at our concerts, the Wisconsin Union is built on experiences for a lifetime. Creating community, supporting student leadership and fostering lifelong learning help guide everything we do. That work simply wouldn’t be possible without you, our...
read moreMeet the New Sip of Summer: Tea + Lemonade
Pull up a sunburst chair. We’re spilling the tea…on our newest beverage! Say hello to our newest sparkling creation, a lemonade and iced tea beverage made in collaboration with our friends at Madison-based Karben4 Brewing. It is bright, bubbly, and basically made for long afternoons by the lake. This refreshing newcomer blends real lemon juice and black tea, lightly sweetened with agave and organic cane sugar. The result is crisp, smooth and the perfect amount of sweet. You may be familiar with this combo being called...
read moreCelebrating 15 Years of Union South!
Well, it’s official…Union South is turning 15! Known as the south campus’s living room, Union South has served as a place for our campus community to gather, hangout and connect. The original Union South building was constructed in 1971, and the new Union South we’ve come to know and love opened in 2011. The new building has become a prime location for recreation, entertainment and, of course, food. In celebration of Union South’s 15 birthday milestone, here are some favorite spots in Union South that are likely to become new favorites...
read moreMust-Do Wisconsin Union Experiences Before Graduation
So, you’re graduating. First of all, congratulations! This is an exciting milestone! You may be wondering if there is anything else you should do before the big ceremony, or maybe graduation is still a few semesters away, and you’re just thinking ahead. Either way, as a graduating senior, I have put together a short list of things to do before your time on campus comes to an end. Whether you are graduating in a couple of months or you still have some time, here are a few must-dos while you’re still on campus. 1. Take an art class at...
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