Badger Sightings

NEW Proud to Be a Badger video series

Watch and find out why these alumni are proud to call themselves UW grads.

Proud to be Badger Families

How big is your Badger brood? Do your sisters, grandparents and cousins (twice-removed) all know the words to “Varsity”? Whether your family of alumni is as large as the Andringas’, or you’re simply proud of your brotherly Badger bond — fraternity or blood-related — we want to hear about it.

Cold Course for a Good Cause
	A long Wisconsin winter might have many Badgers itching to get out on the greens and play a few rounds of golf. But one Badger couldn't wait that long to tee up, so he embraced the chill and hit the ice ... all in the name of a good cause.
Phantom Rugby Game: 50 Years Later
	The UW men's rugby team made their way to the Big Ten Finals in 2013, on the 50th anniversary of the famous Phantom Rugby Game, a match played between the UW students of Wisconsin Rugby Club and a team made up of Indiana University students. Why famous? Because due to the weather, no one knows who won that contest.
I Spy, With My Badger Eye...
	When Lorraine Koubene Zembinski ’53 opened an email from Badger Insider Magazine last month, she found a surprise ...
Troy Story
	According to tradition, 3,196 years ago on this date (April 24, 2013) Troy fell to an invading Greek army. It should maybe be a holiday in Madison, as we Badgers have an unhappy history with the Trojans.
Original "U-Rah-Rah!"
	Virginia Lee Kehl Mackesey '56 of Dunwoody, Georgia, sent us something very special: a copy of the official photo taken of the first four female members of the UW's cheerleading squad in the 1950s.
72 Years and Counting
	The last time the Badgers won the NCAA mens' basketball championship, they played in Kansas City (where, coincidentally, they lost in the first round of the 2013 tourney). Brooks Conrad x'42was there, and he shared this story.
Meet Distinguished Alumni Award Honoree Ben Sidran '67
	A UW-Madison treasure and Grammy-nominated musician, Sidran has been a major force in the modern day history of jazz and rock 'n' roll. See how family, friends and fellow Badgers honored him and his support of UW-Madison at the historic Memorial Union this month, plus browse photos from his cross-country tour with WAA, download a free mp3 and hear Sidran's musings on style, storytelling and the real meaning of jazz at uwalumni.com/sidran.
Spill It
	College students now have a positive place to turn to share problems and get answers thanks to Badger Heidi Allstop '10. See how her determination and the UW-Madison business program helped change personal adversity into entrepreneurial success.
Badgers Underwater
	Flat Bucky strapped on his SCUBA gear to say cheese under the sea with dive buddy and WAA member Karen Pace '63. Read about their adventure and play our new game, "Where in the World is Flat Bucky?"
Culinary Competitor
	A native of New York, Badger Ryan Umane leapt to prominence this summer as a contestant on the Fox television game show MasterChef. Find out how Umane went from political science major to chef and what exactly is in his infamous Clown Burger.
Celebrating The Wisconsin Idea: Founders' Day 2012
	Get a taste of what UW-Madison alumni discovered at their local Founders' Day festivities this spring, and learn why the Wisconsin Idea remains so important to the university 100 years later.
Daily Cardinal Alums Celebrate 120 Years
	More than 200 UW-Madison alumni and former Daily Cardinal staffers gathered for a three-day event at UW-Madison in April 2012 to commemorate the student newspaper's 120th anniversary.

Founders Day 2012: The Wisconsin Idea
	On February 6, as the Carillon Tower sounded the notes of "Happy Birthday," commemorative cupcakes and rich stories about the 100-year history of the Wisconsin Idea helped mark the 163rd anniversary of the first day of classes at the University of Wisconsin.
Don't Be Shy with the Rye!
	Know the science of beer batter? Or how immigration and Prohibition played a role in cooking up what's now the classic Wisconsin fish fry? Dig in and discover what gives this traditional meal real Badger flavor.
Bayou Badgers, Then and Now
	Alumni in New Orleans opened this year's Founders' Day season with their first event since Hurricane Katrina forced alumni in Louisiana to put a hold on Badger bonding activities.
Twin Cities Badgers Give Back for Holidays
	UW-Madison alumni are creating a holiday tradition of their own: helping children in need by building new Bucky Badger dolls together.
How Badgers Deck a Hall
	Recent grads volunteered their time this season to bring good cheer to fellow Madison residents.
A Chapter Tradition: Pohle's Badger Blast
	3,400 brats. 120 pounds of cheddar cheese. And Bucky Badger on a fire truck. In Minneapolis? That’s right.
Sights to See
	Take a trip down memory lane with WAA’s Paula Bonner MS'78 as she reflects on her top three travel destinations, a memorable wildebeest escape and upcoming travel adventures.

Camp Randall Legend Part of Alumni Family
	Gridiron legend Ron Dayne '00 talks about meeting alumni across the nation and why he’s proud to be a Badger.
Career Insights from Badgers In-The-Know
	Thousands of UW-Madison graduates use their education and tenacious spirit to leave their mark on the world, in everything from business to biotechnology to Broadway. Some of those are now mentoring students through Dinners on Wisconsin!, and we asked a few to share their best advice for any Badger seeking employment in today's tumultuous economy.
Football Fan Photos: 2011
	Fan rivalries, family ties and lifelong friends make up this season's football fan photo gallery! Flip through the pictures sent to us by you, as well as galleries from our Badger Football Road Trips to Minnesota, Michigan State and Soldier Field!
Parents Experience Life at UW-Madison
	Learning new things. Making friends. Touring our gorgeous campus. Cheering on the Wisconsin football team at Camp Randall. These are some of the best parts of being a Badger and each fall, parents get the chance to experience what life is like for their students at UW-Madison through the Wisconsin Alumni Association's Parents' Weekend program.
Homecoming 2011
	Discover how our proud Badger grads helped celebrate 100 years of UW-Madison Homecoming in October 2011. Plus, check out our photos, video and party blog from WAA's 150th anniversary Red Tie Gala, a night to remember that helped raise more than $150,000 for the Great People Scholarship.
Back to School
	We were inspired by a recent grad missing a favorite lecture to ask: "If you could return to UW for just one day - which class would you want to attend?" Here's what some of you had to say.
Badger "Feelings" Never Fade
	A Badger is a Badger, no matter how long ago you graduated, or how far away from campus you might live. Meet UW alumnus Larry Wegger '73, who tells us the emotions stirred by football Saturdays are just as strong now as they were when he wrote us a letter more than 30 years ago.

Grandparents and Grandchildren Mix Learning With Fun on UW-Madison Campus
	Grandparents and grandchildren brought a burst of energy to the UW-Madison campus in July, as a record number of students young and old packed university classrooms and labs ready to learn at the 11th annual Grandparents University®.
Celebration of Campus and Community Connections
	Community leaders gathered in Madison in July to discuss intiatives happening on and off campus to boost diversity and inclusivity at UW-Madison.
ONline Wisconsin August 2011 Web Exclusive Back at the Helm
	David Ward MS'62, PhD'63 insists his role as UW-Madison's interim chancellor is not to keep house until the selection of a permanent leader. "Higher education is at a crisis point," he says. "My job is to address the issues, and start a dialogue so when someone else comes along, there may be something to implement." Read about Ward's efforts to facilitate change and why he says alumni are key to the university's success.
Where Are They Now? Finding Badgers 40 Years Later
	Forty years ago, meteorologist Bruce Schwoegler '65 and historian Dave Mollenhoff MA'66 were featured as "Rising Stars" in the Wisconsin Alumnus Magazine (now On Wisconsin). As WAA celebrates 150 years of alumni relations, we tracked down these proud Badgers to talk about the past four decades, how their UW degrees got them where they are today and their advice for the UW's newest alumni.
Space Badger
	Many UW alumni have secured a place in history through science and technology — including Calvin Folwer '55. Learn more about his unique contribution to America's space program and how being a Badger got him to where he is today.

Corps Communicator
	Meet UW graduate Erik Blechinger '87 and learn about his work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to control extensive flooding in the Missouri River Basin.
51 Miles, 12,000 Ships, and 4 Ports of Call
	Two dozen UW alumni and friends spent nearly two weeks together on board a cruise ship that navigated a very special path — the Panama Canal. Check out the scenic vistas these WAA travelers experienced and read first hand what it was like to weave through the historic canal.
Badger Volunteers Build Homes, Friendships in Louisiana
	A few weeks before the Badger men's basketball team made the trek to New Orleans to play in the NCAA Regional tournament, Flat Bucky headed south to help with a Wisconsin Habitat for Humanity mission, along with volunteers from the Kenosha area and traveling companion Meta Franklin '77.
Founders' Day in Sudan, 2011
	Kathleen Callen '98 makes it a point to wear something red every year on Founders' Day, the commemoration of UW-Madison's first classes back in 1849. But this year, she rolled out of bed and put on her Wisconsin gear in a brand new place, halfway around the world in Sudan.
Recent Grads Establish Community Connections as Young Alumni
	In March, dozens of young Badger alumni met in downtown Madison to share stories of their time as students and pregame before heading to the Kohl Center to watch the UW hockey team. Learn what they had to say about life as recent graduates in the real world. Plus, see what happened after the game when they were let loose on center ice.
Going the Distance
	From beginners to experienced runners, the goals are the same: becoming a better runner, learning how to do it the right way, getting healthy. "I want to run a marathon, and not just survive it, but enjoy it," says Donna Mandt '79. "I want to make sure I push myself hard enough." Mandt, along with dozens of alumni and friends from around the world, are enrolled in the Wisconsin Alumni Association's Online Marathon Training Course. Meet some of her fellow runners and learn what makes this distance training program so unique.

Wednesday Nite at the Lab Launches 6th Year of Sharing Science on Campus
	They are University of Wisconsin-Madison alumni and friends who come to Wednesday Nite @ the Lab, a lifelong learning program now in its sixth year of hosting visitors who want to experience science as exploring the unknown.
UW Band 125th Birthday Bash
	Students, faculty, alumni and friends were invited to the Memorial Union on February 15, 2011 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the UW Badger Band with a '5th quarter' Birthday Bash.
A Valentine for Wisconsin
	Badgers are red, violets are blue, tell us just why you love the UW! In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we asked you to share with us what makes UW-Madison so great, and here's what some of you said.
Students of Today Celebrate Badgers of the Past
	Alumni, faculty, staff and students helped kick off the 2011 Founders' Day season with some tasty treats around campus, marking an important moment for the University of Wisconsin and its alumni.
Big Ten Networking
	Whether you're job hunting, kicking off a career change, or just hoping to meet new colleagues, networking events can be a great place to create lasting connections. Hear from some of the Big Ten alumni who recently had that chance in Chicago, and find out how you can get involved in upcoming Badger Career Networking opportunities.

Always a Badger
	Finding other recent Badger grads in your area isn't as tough as you might think. About a hundred young alumni turned out at the Wisconsin Alumni Association Recent Grad Tip-Off in Madison to mingle and catch a basketball game with other Badgers. See what they had to say about what it's like to be an alum living in Madison and find out how you can get involved in upcoming events.
The Legend of Buckingham U. Badger
	Badgers know Bucky was never an ordinary mascot. Check out how Bucky became the legend he is today!
Badger Sightings Special Edition: Rose Bowl 2011
	Relive the memories from the 2011 Road the Rose Bowl, including: Fan Photos Badger for a Weekend A Proud Pilot "Once a Badger" Rose Bowl Blog Photo and Video galleries 2010 Football Fan Memories Flat Bucky's Scrapbook ...and much more at uwalumni.com/bowl!
WAA Travelers Experience the Mediterranean and Greek Isles by Land, by Sea
	For two weeks in October, WAA travelers had the chance to explore the legendary lands of the Eastern Mediterranean on a journey where the past comes to life in destinations like Italy, Turkey and the Greek Isles.
Germany's Sights and Cities
	In September, WAA travelers headed to Germany to explore some of its most remarkable locations, including Rothenburg, a perfectly preserved medieval village, the impressive architecture of Nuremberg, and the peaceful countryside and picturesque towns of the Romantic Road. The journey concluded in Oberstaufen, gateway to the Passion Play at Oberammergau.
Alumni Parents Bond with their Next-Generation Badgers
	Hundreds of moms and dads braved the rainy weather for Parents' Weekend 2010, a unique opportunity hosted by the Wisconsin Alumni Association to explore the UW-Madison campus, hear lectures on studying abroad and student organizations, and take in a football or hockey game. And for those parents who also attended the university, this trip was as much about reminiscing as making new memories with their sons and daughters.
New Chapters, New Connections
	Learn how the spirit of new life in New Orleans inspired a pair of UW-Madison alumni to reach out to their fellow Badgers and rebuild another sort of community. And see the difference social media made in forming new friendships and a new chapter in the Duluth-Superior area.

BADGER HUDDLE® Hits the Road
	Dozens of Badgers hopped on board a bus bound for Indiana on November 5, 2010 to cheer on the UW football team against Purdue. Read about some of the highlights of the road trip and how these WAA travelers celebrated a big UW win.
Fan Photos
	Family, friends and some football frenzy - every game day is special around the UW-Madison campus. Share your fan photos with the Wisconsin Alumni Association and take a look at a few of our favorites from this season, including these Badgers who are celebrating a big win all the way from a beach in Indonesia!
Polar Bear Adventure
	WAA Travelers headed northward to explore the natural habitat of the polar bear in Churchill, Manitoba and were rewarded with some amazing sights. Read more about their encounters with the great white bears and a stop at a dog sledding camp, plus flip through our online photo slideshow.
Bonjour, Bucky!
	Flat Bucky has seen it all—from Alaska to Africa! His latest stop was in Paris, where he traveled with President Emerita of the University of Wisconsin System and WAA Member Katharine Lyall. Here are a few of their favorite stops in France.
History of Halloween at UW-Madison
	In the spirit of the season, we're looking back on the history of Halloween in Madison, from the officials beginnings back in the late 1970s to the more organized chaos of Freakfest today. We asked you to share your memories of those crazy costumes or parading down State Street; browse through what some of you said and tell us your own stories! PHOTO SLIDESHOW: Check out some of this year's cutest babies, pets and pumpkins in our Halloween gallery.
Badger Sighting: Where's Wisconsin?
	Wonder which of these people praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem is a Badger? It's Bob Schuckit JD'82! Learn more about his amazing journey to Israel.
Legendary Homecoming for Badger Alumni
	For many alumni, Homecoming is a special time of year, when they can return to their alma mater and explore what's new on campus – and what hasn't changed a bit, meet up with old friends and make new ones, and celebrate the grand tradition of Badger school spirit. This year, the Wisconsin Alumni Association invited everyone to learn about the Legends of Bucky Badger and dig back into the mascot's history as well as their own. Check out some of the top moments from a week full of festivities.
Badger Sighting: Alumni Family Traditions
	Shannon '99 and Rob '98 Davis have come to the Homecoming Parade each year since they graduated more than a decade ago. And now they continue the tradition as a family with their two sons, Colby, 7, and Owen, 4.

Super Travelers Share Memories of Trips Past
	From the mountains of Scotland to the sandy beaches off Hawaii's coast, Wisconsin Alumni Association travelers have taken in some of the most fantastic sights in the world. But the experience of reconnecting with old friends, and making new ones, is what pushes many alumni to hit the road time and again. Meet some of our Super Travelers and learn more about their love of adventure and some of their favorite destinations.
Badgers Witness History During Presidential Visit
	Thousands of UW-Madison alumni and students waited in line for hours to see President Obama speak at an event on Library Mall in September. Hear what they had to say about the enormous crowds, the impact of such a visit on campus, and reaction to the president's speech.
UNLV Football Weekend 2010
	Check out some of the highlights of this year's WAA travel tour to Las Vegas, including photos, real-time updates from fans and the "On, Wisconsin" rap that started everyone's day off right at our Welcome Breakfast.
Reflections of Bucky Badger
	The approaching football season inspired UW-Madison alumnus Norm Dulak '66, PhD'71 to combine his passion for photography with his undying school spirit to create a one-of-a-kind photo of Bucky Badger.
Alaska's Inside Passage
	WAA travelers experienced the forces of nature firsthand while cruising through Alaska, kayaking around glaciers, hiking along bear trails and making new friends with a humpback whale named Clarence. Check out our photo slideshow and some of the favorite memories made on this northern journey.
Welcome Week
	New Badgers should feel like old pros after participating in a series of Welcome Week events on UW-Madison's campus. Every year before the start of the fall semester, the campus community works together to greet first-year students and to show them the ropes, on campus, in clubs and at Camp Randall.
New Faces Join Campus Community
	Parents and students were blessed with beautiful summer weather as loaded up their carts with school supplies, storage bins and shower shoes and prepared to move in to the UW-Madison dorms. We asked you to share your memories and here's what some of you said.
Badger Student Send-Off Celebrations
	Grilling, games and a rousing rendition of "Varsity." There are few better ways to welcome first-year UW-Madison students to the Badger family. This summer, WAA alumni chapters in two dozen cities organized student send-off events to help students and their families kick-off their college experience. Read the stories of three such celebrations, from Eau Claire, Wis., and the Twin Cities, to the California coast.
Back to School
	Several alumni parents returned to campus with their kids for first-year orientation. We asked them to share stories of their time at UW-Madison and how it feels like to return with their second-generation Badgers.

Pride Fest Celebration Highlights Alumni Connections
	UW-Madison students and alumni celebrated their connections and the community that supports them this summer at Pride Fest's Greet and Meet in Madison. The event, held at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in August, was part of a weekend-long celebration of the positive impacts the city's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population has on the community.
Friendly People, Beautiful Sights
	WAA travelers soaked in the natural wonders of Costa Rica, visiting rainforests, hot springs and banana plantations. Check out our photo slideshow and just a few highlights of this lush and lively trip as recounted by one adventurer.
Two Days of Learning, a Lifetime of Memories
	Hundreds of grandparents and grandchildren have discovered that spending two days on the UW-Madison campus, trying new things and learning about the world, can be one of the best ways to bond. Explore the new memories made at this year's 10th anniversary of Grandparents University®, and meet some Super Seniors who've been with the program since the beginning.
Alumni Voices: Best of Summer in Madison
	We asked you on Facebook and Twitter to share some memories of your favorite summers in Madison, anything from the best places to hang out, to where to keep cool or enjoy the heat and the top outdoor dining spots. Check out our photo collection of your picks and then log in to tell us your own stories!
Vikings, Kings and Castles
	In the summer of 2010, Wisconsin Alumni Association travelers climbed on board to explore some of the world's most spectacular sights and cities. From the scenic vistas of Norway and the seaside charm of an English resort town, to the history and culture of Ireland, walk in the shoes of one WAA adventurer as he recounts his time in the North Sea.
Cradle of History 2010 Travel Journal
	WAA adventurers stepped back in time to The Cradle of History, a journey through Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, Greece and Turkey. Flip through our photo album to see the sights, from the majestic ruins in Greece to the mysterious pyramids of Giza and put yourself into the adventure with one adventurer's travel journal.
Badgers Keep Cool, Enjoy Warmer Weather
	We found some pretty cool Badgers downtown this July, some enjoying the warm weather and others scurrying inside to soak up the A/C. And we shared some of your stories too! Check out our photos and if you haven't yet, tell us more about your hot summer day.
Badger Connections Boost Career Search
	University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates are finding face time can make a big difference in a job hunt. The Wisconsin Alumni Association's Badger Career Network offers networking and career events, as well as job alerts, e-news and the BuckyNet Job Board.
Treasures of South Africa
	From history and culture in Europe to wildlife in Tanzania, the thrill of embarking on a Wisconsin Alumni Association once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity is something you've got to see for yourself. Some of our adventurers recently returned from South Africa. Read more about how that journey made a difference for one Badger's "bucket list."

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Badgers of the Year: Making a Difference Across Wisconsin

From educators and advocates, to leaders and volunteers, these 10 University of Wisconsin-Madison alumni are being honored for their commitment to their communities. Read more about this year's 2010 Badgers of the Year award recipients.

A World of Spirited Badgers

Cubicles, credit unions and even a K9 unit were full of Badger pride on Spirit Day 2010. We asked you to show your support by wearing red to work and play, and we were overwhelmed by your signs of school spirit! Learn more about the winners of our photo contest and flip through our slideshow to see the hundreds of alumni who participated.

Madison’s Favorite Memorial Day Tradition

Alumni consider Brat Fest a top Madison-area summer tradition, and this year, organizers are counting on attendees’ appetites and a beautiful weather forecast to help beat last year’s world record and sell more than 208,000 brats.

School Spirit Catches on Early for Future Badger

Ian McConnell ’02 says when his daughter Hadley was born, his parents gave him and his wife a book on the University of Wisconsin for babies, filled with songs they sang to her at bedtime. Hadley really took to that song and often sang it to herself during the day, taking special joy in the “U rah rah” ending.

2010 Commencement Season

We've seen graduation gear fly off the shelves at University Book Store; we spoke with Forward Under 40 recipient and proud alum James Kass '91 about his return to Madison as commencement speaker; and alumni are reminiscing about what finals week was like for them back in the day.

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