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2014

W I S C O N S I N U N I O N A N N U A L

A S P E C I A L

Y E A R - E N D E D I T I O N O F

T E R R A C E V I E W S

Table of contents

Mark Guthier, Director, Wisconsin Union

1 . The Union makes the campus accessible to all. Whether you’re a student or 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.

2. 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 deep-en that experience by putting responsibility in their hands, acknowledging that mistakes will happen and being there to celebrate their discoveries and success-es along the way.

3. The Union serves as a common “point of return” for everyone. No matter what 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

1 . The Union gives students a sense of ownership of campus. On a 40,000-person 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 rela-tionships with Union advisors and staff as well as peers. It is a safe place that I really feel is my home away from home.

2. 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.

3. The new Wheelhouse Studios gives students an opportunity to be creative and 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.

THE UNION DIRECTOR & PRESIDENT ON TRANSFORMATION

WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 WAYS THE UNION TRANSFORMS THE CAMPUS EXPERIENCE?

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Table of contentsW I S C O N S I N U N I O N A N N U A L

Setting

the Stage

for Student

Programming

Mapping

Out One

Hoofer’s

Passion

West Wing

Opens the

Path to the

Lakefront

Gateway

A Fresh

Idea in the

Heart of

Campus3 5 7 9

Transform:

programming

for the

next

century

3

Setting the Stage for Student ProgrammingBY N A N C Y PAY N E X ’ 1 6

eing a Badger and Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) member go hand-in-hand for Max Schar-rer. 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 wed-ding in Tripp Commons the summer before his fresh-man 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 mem-ber soon after.

“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 Direc-torate 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 com-mittee 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 be-came the place for Max and his developing committee to test the waters for what students want to experience.

The “black box” performance space features retract-able seating and state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, creating a versatile space that can have pro-grams 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 sched-uled performances, the Entertainment Committee has around 18 dates throughout the year to utilize the Play Circle. Max and committee members are build-ing campus relationships to enhance the program-ming and showcase what the Play Circle can offer. The new venture not only allows collaboration between other WUD committees such as Music and the Distin-guished Lecture Series, but it also creates opportuni-ties for more campus student groups, to perform in the Play Circle.

“I owe it to WUD for giving me the real world experi-ences and connections that will allow me to successfully pursue my dream of one day working in the entertain-ment 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 Cir-cle’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

B“ W H E N I WA S A C L U E L E S S ,

L O N E LY, H O M E S I C K F R E S H M A N

W U D T O O K M E I N A N D G AV E M E

A P L A C E O F R E F U G E . ”

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CREATIVE

LEADERSHIP

TRANSFORMED

INTO

PRACTICAL

LEARNING

5

“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.”

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 geo-graphic information systems and cartography,

maps are her specialty. This affection for atlases led her to build a magnetic relief map of Lake Mendo-ta now displayed in Memorial Union’s Chart Room meeting space.

The map’s layers are composed of Baltic birch ply-wood and Chemetal laminate, the material that makes the map magnetic. Caroline utilized a com-puter-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 original-ly 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 portfo-lio piece, while the Union received a custom, home-grown 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 coun-cil representative, treasurer and club president have helped her gain confidence when talking to groups, and while developing her skills as an outdoor in-structor and trip leader.

“After my experience in Hoofers, I feel that I can take charge of a complex project, whether that’s organiz-ing 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 de-signed 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

I

Mapping Out One Hoofer’s PassionBY K AY L A S C H M I DT X ’ 1 5

THE RELIEF MAP WEIGHS

ABOUT 80LBS

THE MAP TOOK JUST

OVER ONE YEAR TO GO

FROM INITIAL CONCEPT

TO FINAL INSTALLMENT

ONLY TWO BUILDINGS ARE

PERMANENTLY REPRESENTED

ON THE MAP: THE WISCONSIN

STATE CAPITOL AND THE

MEMORIAL UNION

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TRANSFORMING

THE

HEART

OF

CAMPUSA

fter closing for two years for a much need-ed 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 stu-dents, members and guests.

The Memorial Union Reinvestment (MUR) is trans-forming Memorial Union into a 21st century build-ing 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 Lake-front Gateway. l

THE WEST WING OPENS THE PATH

TO THE LAKEFRONT GATEWAY

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FINAL PHASES AND

LAKEFRONT GATEWAY

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.

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 build-ing onto the Terrace, while seamlessly blending into Alumni Park.

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

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

CLASS OF 1925 GALLERY

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.

O U T D O O R U WThe new home for Wisconsin Hoofers, equipment rentals and recreation education, Outdoor UW also features expanded meeting, storage and boat repair space.

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

SHANNON SUNSET LOUNGE 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.

S H A N N O N H A L LThe main performance space in the Theater has been totally restored honoring its historic, moderne design and upgrad-ed with modern technology.

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

A BUILDING

TRANSFORMED

INTO A

COMMUNITY

9

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. 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 fac-ulty to local farmers and provide healthy, local op-tions at an accessible location on campus.”

As a student project manager for the dining ser-vices division at the Wisconsin Union and a train-ing 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 con-tributions 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 in-corporating healthy eating into an already busy schedule, the team aimed to develop an event that would make local and organic food more ac-cessible, educate students on the origins of their food and show them easy meals they could pre-pare from market food.

The team’s vision became a reality as they con-tracted a diverse group of vendors from Munch-key Apples to Keewaydin Organics. The market now offers fresh produce from squash, tomatoes and cantaloupe to local delicacies like Bucky’s Ba-con 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 Agri-culture to expand the local food community on campus. “I want to help bolster the educational component of the market. I hope that these con-nections 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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A Fresh Idea in the Heart of CampusBY N A N C Y PAY N E X ’ 1 6

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CONTRIBUTORS

Nancy Payne x ‘16

Kayla Schmidt x ‘15

Merry Anderson

Kelly O’Loughlin ‘99

Timeka Rumph

EDITORS

Sarah Artz ‘04

Marc Kennedy ‘87

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Allyson Casey ‘01

PHOTOGRAPHY

Brian Ebner ‘95

Andy Manis

UW Communications

Skot Weidemann

CONNECT WITH US

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Twitter: @wisconsinunion

Enews: terraceviews.org

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