Dinners On Wisconsin!

Home-style cookin', Big-city networkin'

What? Dinner with a Wisconsin graduate and fellow students
When? March 22 and 23, 2010
Where? Alum's home, workplace or restaurant in Madison area
Why? WASB's mission is to connect students past, present and future

Register to host a dinner

Ten Things Hosts Should Know

Thank you for your interest in participating in a rewarding and exciting tradition: Dinners On Wisconsin!

Dinners On Wisconsin! is a program that invites alumni with a variety of professional backgrounds to share their real world experiences with current undergraduate UW students. As a dinner host, you will accommodate five to 10 students in your home, at a local restaurant or at your place of business for casual conversation over dinner. This program provides a unique opportunity for students to network with alumni while exploring future career options in an intimate, friendly and welcoming environment.

1. Register to host a dinner or contact dinners@uwalumni.com with questions.

2. Dinners generally last no longer than two hours.

3. You can choose the time slot of your dinner on your night: 6:00-8:00 p.m., 6:30-8:30 p.m., 7:00-9:00 p.m.

4. Transportation will be provided, so students will be brought to your dinner location.

5. In the past, dinners have ranged from formal meals in homes to pizza at a workplace. The tone of your dinner is completely up to you!

6. Students are attending this dinner to learn more about your field of study and/or career area. Any advice, experiences or networking opportunities that you provide is greatly appreciated.

7. The cost of dinner is the host's responsibility.

8. You can invite a minimum of five and a maximum of 10 students to dinner.

9. Dinners On Wisconsin! has been a success over the past years because of great hosts like you. We are extremely thankful to the alumni community for their support and generosity.

10. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at dinners@uwalumni.com

Read about the 2009 DOW! Dinners

Ten Things Students Should Know

This program provides a unique opportunity for students to network with alumni while exploring future career options in a casual, friendly and welcoming environment.

1. You must register in advance to participate in this event. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

2. Once you sign-up, we expect you to attend, since your alumni host(s) will be planning on your attendance.

3. You can only register for one dinner per night.

4. Meet at the Wisconsin Alumni Association (650 N. Lake St.) 45 minutes before your dinner begins.

5. Dress is business casual.

6. This is a FREE event!

7. DOW! is a great place to network. Students who get the most out of this experience come to the dinner prepared to discuss their topics of interest.

8. You will receive a confirmation e-mail and a reminder phone call when you sign up.

9. Transportation to and from the dinner is provided by WASB.

10. WASB and the Wisconsin Alumni Association partner to offer this great event. Find out more about other free programs and services here.

Directions to the Wisconsin Alumni Association

Dinners on Wisconsin Success Stories

Dinners On Wisconsin! has had tangible success for many years, and recently won the bronze "Best Outreach Program" in the nation, awarded by Association for Student Advancement Programs.

Just ask prior attendees about their amazing experiences: "I sort of happened upon Dinners On Wisconsin! last fall, and am I ever glad that I did," said James DuMont '08 after attending a dinner with a lab scientist who is involved in creating government policies. "It was a great break in the routine and a valuable career experience. I'll definitely be going again in the future."

After attending many other UW events and activities, Andrew Granias '09 feels that Dinners On Wisconsin! has undoubtedly been the most useful event in preparing him for his future. "The small size of the dinner coupled with the comfortable atmosphere provided by the hosts, made it extremely easy to make a real connection with the alumni," Granias said. "The result: I have a brand new internship, a better idea about my career interests and a clearer picture of where I want to go in life."

In 2006, Susan Lampert Smith '82 wrote about a DOW dinner for the Wisconsin State Journal and On, Wisconsin! magazine. She attended a dinner hosted by veteran Wisconsin politicos Bill Kraus, Jay Heck and former Governor Tony Earl.

Read Smith's Article