2014 Wisconsin Union Annual

YEAR-END EDITION OF TERRACE VIEWS

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THE UNION DIRECTOR & PRESIDENT ON TRANSFORMATION WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 WAYS THE UNION TRANSFORMS THE CAMPUS EXPERIEN CE? Mark Guthier, Director, Wisconsin Union

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he Union makes the campus accessible to all. Whether you’re a student or T a faculty member – or a resident of Madison or Onalaska – the Union, as an entry point to one of the world’s great universities, is available to you. We all have the opportunity to belong – to take part in this remarkable place and to be enriched by it at the same time.

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The Union provides a safe place for students to explore who they are. No one is supposed to come to college having “figured it all out.” That’s a big part of what their academic journey is about. The Union gives students room to deepen that experience by putting responsibility in their hands, acknowledging that mistakes will happen and being there to celebrate their discoveries and successes along the way.

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he Union serves as a common “point of return” for everyone. No matter what T someone studies or which school or college is listed on their diploma, every Badger has one place where they return when they come to Madison. The Union was there for them during their college days and it is still here today – welcoming them home. That’s a pretty powerful thing.

Sarah Bergman, President, Wisconsin Union’14-’15

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he Union gives students a sense of ownership of campus. On a 40,000-person T plus university it can be easy to get lost. It’s is a physical home for students to come to and for Directorate students especially, it is a center of nurturing relationships with Union advisors and staff as well as peers. It is a safe place that I really feel is my home away from home.

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The Union provides leadership and professional development opportunities. All of the Directorate events are planned from start to finish by students. These are skills you cannot learn in the classroom and provide invaluable experience to put on a resume for entering the job market.

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he new Wheelhouse Studios gives students an opportunity to be creative and T create art in a way that was unavailable before. Most students only get to take art classes if they are art majors but so many students have an interest in art as a hobby, a way to have fun, relax and expand their mind.

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Setting the Stage for Student Programming

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Mapping Out One Hoofer’s Passion

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West Wing Opens the Path to the Lakefront Gateway

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A Fresh Idea in the Heart of Campus

: m r o f s n a r T g n i m m a r g o pr for the next century

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Setting the Stage for Student Programming B Y N A N C Y P AY N E X ’ 1 6

eing a Badger and Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) member go hand-in-hand for Max Scharrer. Describing himself as a “Wuddie for life,” Max has been a WUD member since he began at UW-Madison. Max first encountered WUD at a wedding in Tripp Commons the summer before his freshman year while he enjoyed a concert on the Terrace stage. He found out that the WUD Music Committee was putting on the show and became an active member soon after.

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“When I was a clueless, lonely, homesick freshman WUD took me in and gave me a place of refuge,” says Max. “Even when I was still adjusting to being a college student, I was able to make a huge impact on campus all because of WUD.” Marking his senior year and fourth year on WUD, Max’s role in the Union evolved from WUD Music member, to associate director and now to head of a new Directorate committee—the Memorial Union Entertainment Committee.

The Entertainment Committee was inspired last spring from both the success of the Revelry Music and Arts Festival as well as the completion of the Memorial Union Reinvestment’s first phase. Student-to-student programming opportunities were increasing and a

group to connect WUD committees across the board became more necessary. The home of this new committee became a reimagined part of the west wing— the Fredric March Play Circle. With fully upgraded features and an atmosphere that allows for completely new performance opportunities, the Play Circle became the place for Max and his developing committee to test the waters for what students want to experience.

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The “black box” performance space features retractable seating and state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, creating a versatile space that can have programs ranging anywhere from a DJ dance party to an intimate play. “We do everything in the Play Circle,” says Max. “It’s a great space for both performers and audiences to feel comfortable during a show.”

Combined with the Wisconsin Union Theater scheduled performances, the Entertainment Committee has around 18 dates throughout the year to utilize the Play Circle. Max and committee members are building campus relationships to enhance the programming and showcase what the Play Circle can offer. The new venture not only allows collaboration between other WUD committees such as Music and the Distinguished Lecture Series, but it also creates opportunities for more campus student groups, to perform in the Play Circle.

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A PLACE OF REFUGE.”

“I owe it to WUD for giving me the real world experiences and connections that will allow me to successfully pursue my dream of one day working in the entertainment industry,” says Max. “I am also grateful today to say that most of my close friends are people that I have met because of WUD.” Max’s last year with WUD promises exciting and varied performances suited to the new Play Circle’s versatile capabilities: cabaret, improv comedy, a cappella and other programs yet to be discovered.

Just as Max found his place in the Union, it’s possible that these multifaceted entertainment opportunities may attract the attention of first-year students looking for a place to fit in and pursue their passions. l

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CREATIVE LEADERSHIP D E M R O F S N A R T INTO PRACTICAL LEARNING

“AFT E R MY E X PE RIE NCE I N HOOFER S, I FEEL THAT I CAN TAK E CH ARG E OF A COMP LEX P R OJ ECT, W H E T H E R T H AT ’ S O RGANI ZI NG AN EVENT OR B U ILDING A PROJE CT LI KE THE MENDOTA MAP.”

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Mapping Out One Hoofer’s Passion B Y K AY L A S C H M I D T X ’ 1 5

f you’re lost, chances are Caroline Rose can help you find your way. As a Hoofers member and UW-Madison alumna with degrees in geographic information systems and cartography, maps are her specialty. This affection for atlases led her to build a magnetic relief map of Lake Mendota now displayed in Memorial Union’s Chart Room meeting space.

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The map’s layers are composed of Baltic birch plywood and Chemetal laminate, the material that makes the map magnetic. Caroline utilized a computer-controlled cutting machine at local workspace Sector 67 to precisely cut out the lake’s depth layers and the magnetic text labels. “I never would have approached some of the equipment without this purpose driving me,” Caroline said.

After an aerial-shot poster of Lake Mendota originally hung in the Chart Room was lost during Memorial Union Reinvestment construction, Hoofers tracked down map-savvy Caroline to take on the project.

“I gained some great experience and a great portfolio piece, while the Union received a custom, homegrown showpiece that will be functional and lend some unique character to the Hoofers new meeting space,” Caroline said.

A Hoofers member since 2009, Caroline has held various leadership positions. Being a Hoofers council representative, treasurer and club president have helped her gain confidence when talking to groups, and while developing her skills as an outdoor instructor and trip leader.

“After my experience in Hoofers, I feel that I can take charge of a complex project, whether that’s organizing an event or building a project like the Mendota Map,” Caroline said. “I learned to manage the big picture, break it into components, delegate tasks, find resources and persevere through unexpected obstacles to bring a project to fruition.”

Hoofer instructors and members are already using the map to pinpoint relevant landmarks on Lake Mendota and Hoofer SCUBA dive zones. “We designed the map to be modified however people want,” Caroline explained. “There are even extra magnets for people to mark their own special spots –- I got to place a magnet on a spot near Picnic Point where I like to swim with friends.”

Caroline says it’s an art piece and an interactive tool “created by Hoofers, for Hoofers,” and hopes it will serve future generations of Hoofers for years to come. l

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MEMORIAL UNION

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G N I M R O F S N A R T THE HEART OF CAMPUS

THE WEST WING OPENS THE PATH TO THE LAKEFRONT GATEWAY fter closing for two years for a much needed renovation and restoration, the west wing of the Memorial Union reopened this fall to rave reviews. Replete with more space, improved venues, universal accessibility and the latest technology, the new west wing has already attracted and impressed thousands of students, members and guests.

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The Memorial Union Reinvestment (MUR) is transforming Memorial Union into a 21st century building while maintaining its original charm, function and purpose. Thoughtful planning ensures the project remains true to its guiding principles of sustainability, student involvement, accessibility and historic preservation. The first phase of MUR provided the Wisconsin Union Theater with its first comprehensive renovation since it opened in 1939.

Successfully completing this initial phase helped create a blueprint for success for remaining work in Memorial Union’s central core, east wing and Terace which will be renovated as part of the Lakefront Gateway. l

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SHANNON HALL

HAM EL FAM ILY B ROWSING L IB RARY

FESTIVAL ROOM

The main performance space in the Theater has been totally restored honoring its historic, moderne design and upgraded with modern technology.

The renovated library has been returned to its former stature as a cozy nook featuring an ornate ceiling and refinished hardwood floors, panels and trim.

This brand new space is sized to match the Shannon Hall stage and can accommodate dance, music and group rehearsals.

FINAL PHASES AND L A K E F R O N T G AT E WAY Construction is anticipated to begin in June 2015 for the final phases of MUR and the other components of Lakefront Gateway including Alumni Park and One Alumni House. Together, these projects anchor East Campus Mall to the shores of Lake Mendota and should be completed by 2017.

SH A N N O N S UNS ET LO UN GE

CLASS OF 1925 GALLERY

A beautiful new student lounge that can also function as an extension of the Theater lobby during events, this new room features nano walls and an indoor fireplace.

Now in a more accessible location in the west wing’s second floor, the Class of 1925 Gallery can host a more versatile array of art exhibits.

The final phases of MUR will upgrade mechanical, fire and sprinkler systems as well as cosmetically restore many of Memorial Union’s signature spaces. To meet student and patron demands, emphasis will also be on upgrading food units, addressing accessibility and improving wayfinding, particularly from the building onto the Terrace, while seamlessly blending into Alumni Park.

To learn more about the Lakefront Gateway, visit uwalumni.com/lakefrontgateway

W H E E L H O U SE STUD I OS

OUTDOOR UW

Featuring the latest equipment, Wheelhouse Studios melds the former Mini Courses and Craftshop into a vibrant new entity offering three versatile art-making studios.

The new home for Wisconsin Hoofers, equipment rentals and recreation education, Outdoor UW also features expanded meeting, storage and boat repair space.

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A BUILDING TRANSFORMED INTO A COMMUNITY 9

A Fresh Idea in the Heart of Campus B Y N A N C Y P AY N E X ’ 1 6

armer’s markets in Madison are one of the many pastimes that foster sustainability and healthy living. One in particular promotes these two qualities for UW-Madison – the Campus Farmer’s Market at Union South. Students or faculty coming from class or work on Thursday afternoons now have a centralized location at the Union to pick up fresh produce and other local food products.

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Nicole Prekop, a UW-Madison senior studying psychology and leadership, championed the idea of creating the Farmer’s Market. “Our vision for the market was to expose students, staff and faculty to local farmers and provide healthy, local options at an accessible location on campus.”

As a student project manager for the dining services division at the Wisconsin Union and a training facilitator for new Union employees, Nicole’s work on the Farmer’s Market is just one of her many leadership roles in the Union.

When Assistant Director of Dining Services Carl Korz needed a student to tackle this project, he immediately thought of Nicole. “Nicole was a nat-

ural fit for this position, she is a great ambassador for the Union and campus to the farmers. Her contributions are in the best spirit of leadership and development at the Union.”

Nicole led a team of Union staff and students in developing a plan to get the market off the ground. Understanding firsthand the stress of incorporating healthy eating into an already busy schedule, the team aimed to develop an event that would make local and organic food more accessible, educate students on the origins of their food and show them easy meals they could prepare from market food.

The team’s vision became a reality as they contracted a diverse group of vendors from Munchkey Apples to Keewaydin Organics. The market now offers fresh produce from squash, tomatoes and cantaloupe to local delicacies like Bucky’s Bacon Bread and grilled sausages.

In its second year, the campus farmer’s market continues to grow and features farms and food businesses across Dane County. “The best part of this experience is seeing the vendors on market

day,” says Nicole, “They are so passionate about what they do and love to share their story.”

Establishing the market was the first step. Looking ahead, Nicole is also working on collaborations with student organizations such as Slow Food UW and F.H. King Students for Sustainable Agriculture to expand the local food community on campus. “I want to help bolster the educational component of the market. I hope that these connections and relationships with student orgs and vendors can be fostered and maintained for years to come,” says Nicole.

Thanks to Nicole’s leadership and dedication to this project, the Campus Farmer’s Market establishes a space to practice both sustainable habits and community building on select Thursdays in the fall at Union South. l

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