WASB Event Spotlight

WASB has so many amazing events that are all special in their own way. In my eyes, each event is characterized by the hard work that goes into planning it and the group of individuals that it brings together. This is my second semester on WASB and while many of the events are repeated semester to semester, they always have felt unique. I asked members of WASB what their favorite events are, both to plan and attend. Here is what they said...

Conversations on Wisconsin

“It’s so fun to remove the structure of college and grades and allow students to bond with and learn from professors. Professors and alumni get time to talk and engage with students about passionate and innovative ideas and it is so fun for students! I love it.”

Conversations on Wisconsin (COW), planned by the Campus & Community Engagement team, bring students and professors together to engage in valuable conversations about the Wisconsin experience and a variety of other topics. These conversations can take place virtually, at the host’s residence, or at a local Madison establishment. Sometimes free food is included! For example, during the conversation with James Ntambi, I got to learn about community health in Uganda and how the Lweza-Mukono Center is helping (check out https://www.lwezahealth.org/about_us for more information). His story is truly inspirational and I fully plan on getting involved to help make a difference. COW takes place twice a year in November and March.

Bucky’s Urban Odyssey

“It is a fantastically fun and creative event to plan, and I would argue it’s one of the most enjoyable events to participate in as a student. Also, I think it’s also super fun to volunteer as a WASB!”

“It’s a great way to start ACP. It is especially fun to watch people running around all of campus.”

Bucky’s Urban Odyssey (BUO) is a part of the All-Campus Party (ACP), a week-long series of events in April that celebrate UW-Madison’s community. Bucky’s Urban Odyssey is an “amazing-race” style scavenger hunt where participants run around campus, stopping by historical locations and local businesses, solving puzzles, and playing games. The prizes are always awesome (I remember wishing I could compete!) but the real prize is getting outside and participating in this fun event with your friends. I can’t wait to volunteer at BUO this spring.

Badger Voices

“It is an awesome collaboration with WUD Music that lets student musicians perform at Memorial Union and share their gifts with their peers.”

Badger Voices, planned by our Campus & Community Engagement team, is insanely fun for everyone involved. Student musicians and groups can sign up to perform at Memorial Union, and anyone can attend. It brings WASB and community members together to enjoy good music and allows student artists to gain countless devoted fans. I have never seen more talent in one space! 

Breakfast with Bucky

“It is one of the first events of the All-Campus Party and the first time that we are really ‘in the face’ of the students that week. It is a great way to start the week off and let students know about WASB and ACP and get them excited. And also, who doesn’t love free breakfast?”

Breakfast with Bucky is also a part of ACP and is a very memorable event for me. Members of WASB set up tables at several locations around campus and hand out free breakfast to the Madison community. It was incredibly fun to directly engage with community members and see their smiling faces as they left with free breakfast. Even Bucky stops by for some food! Make sure to keep an eye out for us in the red and white stripes this spring to get some breaky and say hi!

WASBs Come Home

“It was the first event I ever planned on WASB and it was our first time hosting an alumni brunch so this event is very special to me!”

The first-ever WASBs Come Home was planned this semester by our Professional Connections and Alumni Relations team. One of WASB’s missions as a student organization is to connect students' past, present, and future. This event does just that, bringing current and past WASBs together for brunch. If you are looking for a reason to apply to WASB, here’s one: this organization connects countless people from all points in life and exposes you to so many unique experiences. I’ve learned so much from WASBs who have now graduated and I know that they would do anything to help me succeed. The event does a great job of highlighting the supportive community ingrained in WASB.

By Grace Parker

All Campus Party Team, Mad City Sessions Co-Chair

Senior Spotlight; Anisa Pontes Experience Abroad, Growth as a WASB Member, and Plans for the Future

As the fall semester comes to an end, Anisa Pontes is approaching her final semester at UW-Madison and as a member of the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board. Growing up as a Madison local, Anisa was eager to discover the new opportunities which UW-Madison would entail. She now reflects on her experiences of growth such as the roles she's held as a member of WASB, her main-character moment when studying abroad in Portugal, as well as her goals for the future. 

As a new member of WASB this past semester, I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to learn more about Anisa’s experiences. One thing that I have learned this semester as a new member is that turning to a fellow member and asking questions can be an extremely valuable experience. Each member of WASB– and student at UW-Madison– have unique experiences that shaped them into the person that they have become. 

Joining WASB during the Spring semester of her freshman year, Anisa was passionate about finding a place within the UW-Madison community that she could define as her safe space. “My cousin introduced me to the organization and presented WASB as a place that helps you find your voice and your community. Being the lost freshman that I was, I decided to apply and hope for the best.” Beginning as a Community and Campus Engagement co-chair, she developed a partnership with Slow Foods, to engage the campus community on topics of food sustainability and food culture. Although the semester’s initiatives were disrupted by COVID-19, Anisa was pleased with the results of what her team accomplished and how WASB managed to adapt to the sudden change. “The beauty of WASB is that the month and a half I had was a sufficient enough time for me to feel like I had found my stride and place on campus,” she says. 

When school resumed, Anisa shifted to a more permanent standing as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion co-chair. As a BIPOC student, she felt that her time would be best served on the DEI team, where she could attempt to support the demands of the BIPOC community of UW-Madison with the support and connection to WAA. “I shifted my energy internally towards more passionate efforts of holding workshops within WASB that were intentional in forming concrete steps toward making our organization less performative. Instead, we worked to analyze the lack of general diversity both on campus and within the organization, and how we could continue to make an inclusive and welcoming space for all students.” Anisa is excited to see the new opportunities that her team brings when she returns from abroad. 

Anisa sadly had to extend a farewell to her WASB family this past semester as she studied abroad in Portugal. As an international studies student with certificates in public policy and global health, she chose to take classes in the Portuguese language with a focus on grammar, oral, and pronunciation. While studying Portuguese culture, she stresses that the time spent away from familiarity has been a defining opportunity for personal growth. Likewise, being immersed in an environment that has always been a part of Anisa’s identity allowed her to understand herself in a more definite manner. She expressed, “Abroad has been a series of emotions that is hard to conform into one sentence or even a paragraph. I will say despite any of the negative moments, I would not change a single moment because I know how grateful I am to have been given the opportunity to meet the people I have and immerse myself into a different culture.” Reflecting on her time spent abroad, Anisa realizes the importance of immersing herself in opportunities that are unfamiliar to her. “Being someone who grew up in the same city I currently go to college has given me the privilege of having all my resources, family, friends, and a good education, within my radius. However, sometimes it made me feel stagnant in my “growth.” Thus, abroad for me confirmed it is the best and sometimes the scariest opportunity to challenge yourself into becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable while also becoming more confident of yourself —which will inevitably hone so much growth.”

When asked about her long-term goal, Anisa wants to establish and maintain a healthy balance between work and life. Her college experience has offered what feels like an endless amount of meaningful moments. All WASB members have specific times that are momentous from the rest. “My favorite memory on WASB is All Campus Party week. The energy that is formed that week is truly unmatched and I cannot wait to run back again this year!” When returning to campus this Spring, Anisa is thrilled to make the maximum amount of memories that she can form. Her advice for new members joining WASB remains as a tribute to her younger self– a time when she felt hesitant, inspired, and eager all at once. “My best advice to give to freshmen is whenever you start to doubt yourself just remember that you were selected to be in this space for a reason which means there are 64 people who have and will always see your potential. See you all so soon <3.”

By Addyson Farias

Marketing Team, Wasblog Co-Chair

The Muralist Connecting The Madison Community

Spread across the walls of local businesses around the Madison area are beautiful murals that seem to grasp the essence of this city. Many of them were created by the same artist, @triangulador, whose real name is Liubov Szwako. He was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico but has been living in Madison for the past decade or so. 

According to his website (www.triangulador.com) he is “a human who finds joy in experimenting and finding his ways to manipulate paint while creating his own path through patterns and shapes that are both spontaneous and abstract.” His incredibly recognizable art is created using spray paint, acrylics, and other mediums. He describes his art as being “connected to unconventional found objects.” I have seen his art all over Madison, but had not really known who it came from or what the purpose of it was.

During the summer and fall of 2020, when many of the stores on State Street were boarded up, Szwako contributed to some of the beautiful art that was created on these shop windows. Some of the shops that he created art on include It’s Sugar, August, European Wax Center, and Fair Trade Coffee House. The art was created with the intention to celebrate inclusion, love, and unity, as described on his Instagram and in the art itself.

He also has frequently ‘tagged’ mattresses that are left on the curb with funky designs. Many of these designs have been posted on his page as well, with captions that inspire viewers to take it upon themselves to do what they want in the world... “Tomorrow might not exist.. Go do what you love. #triangulador” (post on March 8, 2021).

Another form of art that he creates are murals on the side of local Madison businesses. One that I personally have appreciated is titled “Flamingo Swirls” that is on the side of the Laundromat on the corner of Blount and Johnson on the East side. If you have ever headed toward Milwaukee from downtown, you most likely have seen this mural. It has always made me smile, and the bright and cheery colors hold up well to the (sometimes) bleak Madison winters.

Szwako has also created murals inside of businesses all around the Madison area. Inside Garth’s Brew Bar lives a green swirl mural and inside Moxe Health lives an abstract tree mural. These murals bring life to the place where they are housed.

Szwako was interviewed by the news site Tone Madison, and he said that he always loved writing in graffiti letters and other types of lettering. He was very interested in becoming a graphic designer but wasn’t interested in pursuing a higher education past high school. He instead chose to move to Madison and create art. He enjoys experimenting with different materials and just putting whatever he is thinking about into the world in a creative format.

When Szwako makes art, he does not trace anything. He might make a small sketch beforehand, but all of the actual work is created there in the moment, on mattresses and in the street. Part of it for him is changing something from being trash or just not noticeable to something that makes you stop and think, “huh, that’s cool.” However, all the art he creates is for himself. The one aspect of his art that he does struggle with is selling it. Even though he creates the art for himself, he wants someone who is purchasing the art to appreciate it for what it is. It’s not a product, but something to make people pause in their day and just have a little more appreciation for the world.

One of Szwako’s main influences once he reached Madison was Stefan Matioc. Matioc is another doodle artist in the Madison area, whose art can be seen downtown as well. Most of what Szwako learned was about confidence and just doing whatever he wanted to do. Some of that came from his childhood, as he said he was raised that he could do anything he wanted to do as long as he was nice to people. This is why he hasn’t spray painted random walls in Madison no matter how much he would like to. He has talked to the police many times, just to figure out what he is and isn’t allowed to do, so he doesn’t get arrested and can still enjoy doing his art for the public (and himself) to enjoy.

One last piece of advice from Liubóv Szwako is to not do anything just because it’s popular, but instead do something for your own pleasure and ignore what others think about it. Something that’s important to remember as some of us graduate and go into the real world, where everyone’s timeline is different! Keep your eyes peeled for stray mattresses around Madison that have funky little doodles on them and think of @triangulador when you come across them!

By Carly Jennings

ACP Director

Ranking the Wisconsin Union Restaurants

With midterms season in full swing, a lot of us are probably spending more time at Memorial Union and Union South. These study spaces have plenty of dining options, making them the perfect place to hunker down and grind for hours on end. Everyone has their favorite go-to Union restaurant, but which one is the best? 

I’ve taken the liberty of ranking each Wisconsin Union restaurant from worst to best to help you get through those studying cravings. (Note that this is based purely on my subjective rankings, but you’ll want to trust me on this one).

Alright, so coming in last we have… South Cantina. It’s not that South Cantina is bad, per se. There’s just nothing stand out about it. It’s just meh. This make-your-own Mexican style restaurant appears to be a spoof on Qdoba and Chipotle. It has burritos, bowls, and tacos. The food is okay, it’s definitely not bad. But, if you’re looking for a burrito bowl to hit the spot, I’d recommend just going to Chipotle. However, South Cantina is great if you’re looking for something quick considering that the line is never long. With that being said, on Mondays and Wednesdays its only open from 11-2 and then 5-7. So, double check that it’s open before making the trip to Union South!

Not worst, but surely not the best, up next is… Carte. The only reason that Carte isn’t ranked higher is because it could be so much more. This sandwich and salad shop has a good selection of toasted to-order paninis and signature salads. You also have the option to craft your own salad with their numerous ingredients. It’s truly the perfect lunch spot. But, that’s the issue… it’s only open for lunch. Carte is open from 11-3, so it is not an option during a dinnertime study sesh. If you’re looking for a quick, healthier lunch, then Carte is your place. Perhaps check out some of their ~fall vibe~ menu items with the Butternut Squash salad and Cranberry Harvest panini!

Coming up next, we have… Peet’s Coffee in Memorial Union. Peet’s Coffee is great for a midday pick-me-up or breakfast sandwich. It's got the classic espresso drinks with some occasional seasonal treats (pumpkin spice, anyone?). The downside to Peet’s – it is always ridiculously busy. If standing in line for 30 minutes is worth a latte, then this is the spot for you. On the plus side, Peet’s is a beautiful study spot. It has lots of great seating so that you can sit down, enjoy your coffee, and get some work done. 

Climbing up the rankings is… Prairie Fire in Union South. Yes, Prairie Fire is better than Peet’s Coffee. Don’t ask me how, it just is. For one, Prairie Fire has more food options than Peet’s, such as warm brie on a baguette. Also, the lines at Prairie Fire are usually significantly smaller than those at Peet’s. The coffee is the same, but occasionally Prairie Fire offers more seasonal/specialty drinks than Peet’s… making it just slightly better.

Finally, we are at the top 3. In third place we have… Strada. Strada is Memorial Union’s Italian pièce de résistance. Here, you can get delicious wood-fired pizza and pasta bowls. Choose from their many signature pizzas and pastas, or make your own. Feeling like a classic ‘za? Get a margarita pizza. Feeling a little more adventurous? How about Thai Chicken. Craving pasta instead? Choose from Strada’s six signature bowls or create your own. They truly have it all. Strada is also open from 11am-9pm, making it a perfect option for all times of the day. Skip pizza delivery, and head over to Strada!

The second place award goes to… Der Rathskeller. Der Rathskeller, affectionately known as The Rath, is a UW–Madison classic. Cheese curds dipped in rath sauce is a heavenly experience. It has classic pub food in a German-inspired atmosphere. Grab a burger between classes, or share a pitcher with friends and watch a Badger game. It is very noisy, making it a less than ideal place to study. But, if you’re just looking for a delicious meal shared with friends- The Rath is the place for you. 

And finally, in first place, is… GINGER ROOT. Ginger Root is a surprise first place after slowly but surely passing the Rath in the eyes of the students. Ginger Root is the perfect quick meal to pick up on your way to class or while studying. Their Sesame Chicken is a cult-classic that leaves students coming back for more. They have rotating entrees so that you can get something new everytime you visit. The only complaint about Ginger Root is that the line gets pretty long, but it goes by very quickly due to some amazing workers!

There you have it. The unofficial Wisconsin Union restaurant rankings. Next time you need to binge for an exam or you want to just grab a bite with friends, stop at one of the many delicious Wisconsin Union dining units!

Conversations On Wisconsin: A Valued WASB Tradition

We are finally at that lovely point in the semester when the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board (WASB) puts on a great event by the name of COW. Now you may be wondering… COW? Will WASB be taking me to a farm? Am I about to be starting a side hustle in the dairy industry? Should I be worried about being lactose intolerant? 

Have no fear! Conversations on Wisconsin, otherwise known as COW, is one of WASB’s signature events in which students are able to sign up for a conversation with UW Madison alumni, professors, or faculty to have productive and meaningful talk about a specific area of interest, the Wisconsin experience, life after college, or anything in between. Historically, the event has been called Dinners on Wisconsin, and the main idea was for students to go to a host’s home and have conversations over dinner. However, the event has shifted and evolved to accommodate more hosts and more types of conversations, and COW locations can now include local Madison establishments or virtual conversations on Zoom. With all this being said, we would like to highlight some of our hosts for this semester.

One of our hosts, Megan Lasure, hosted a COW on Public Health and Applied Epidemiology. Megan is the Antimicrobial Resistance Epidemiologist with the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) and the Wisconsin Division of Public Health (DPH) through their Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Program. In this role she performs state and regional surveillance for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). These organisms spread in healthcare settings, can cause severe infections, and are difficult to treat with existing drugs. She graduated in 2011 from UW–Madison, double majoring in Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Biology. She then obtained her Master of Public Health from UW in 2014. Megan’s conversation was on Thursday, November 10th at 6:00 PM at Michaelangelo’s Cafe on State Street! She loved chatting with you about any common or uncommon interests! Thanks for hanging with Megan!

Another one of our hosts is Susan Cook, who will be hosting a COW on Thinking about American Music Locally, Nationally, and Transnationally. Music historian Susan C. Cook has been on the faculty of the UW-Madison since 1991 and is in her tenth year as director of the Mead Witter School of Music. Her research focuses on American musics of all kinds and demonstrates her commitment to feminist methodologies, interdisciplinary cultural criticism, and to demonstrating the power of music to create meaningful change. Susan’s conversation was on Thursday, November 10th at 7:00 PM at the Sunroom Cafe on State Street! Susan loved engaging in meaningful conversation with everyone who signed up!

The last of our hosts that we will highlight is a pair of alumni, Annie and Ryan Panzer, who talked about Becoming an Educator, Careers in Tech, Side Hustles, and the Importance of Being Adaptive and Creative in your Career Journey. Annie Wilcox Panzer is a high school science teacher at Madison Memorial. She graduated with an education degree in 2011. Annie has taught middle and high school science classes, including integrated science, astronomy, and forensic science. She is passionate about ensuring all students receive a high quality science education! Ryan Panzer (2011, History and Psychology) leads a learning and development organization at Uber. Having received a master's in theology after his time at UW, he also writes and speaks to church groups about technology for ministry. Annie and Ryan were both trombone players in the UW Marching Band from 2006-2011. Annie and Ryan’s COW was on Thursday, November 10th at 6:00 PM at their home. Those who signed up learned about a variety of topics and insights about careers and life after college!

So why do students enjoy COW? What can be taken away from attending a COW? A student attended a COW in a retired professor’s home last year, and had this to say about the experience: “Conversations on Wisconsin was one of my favorite events that WASB put on last year. A small group of us went to a retired professor’s house and we were greeted with nothing but hospitality and love! He and his wife cooked us a fantastic meal, and we got the opportunity to talk about our experiences at UW and hear his perspective through the eyes of an old faculty member. I was having trouble writing a paper for an ethnic studies class I was in and didn’t know how to go about asking my professor about it. He guided me through the process and assured me that talking to the professor would show that I was dedicated and wanted to grow in my studies. His advice truly helped me. This is such a unique experience, and I’m so glad I got to attend a COW!”  

Another student, Luke Youngdahl, said, “Conversations on Wisconsin has been one of my favorite events I have attended as a student on campus. My sophomore year I attended COW virtually with a linguistics professor. It was so interesting to learn about a topic I would’ve never really looked into. We talked about different pronunciations of words depending on geographical location and dove into midwestern speech patterns. I guarantee there is a topic to interest anybody who wants to sign up. Check it out and learn something new in the process.”

And there you have it! If you’re wondering if you should participate in COW, this is your sign to do it. We always have hosts that are sure to fit your interests in some way, and regardless of interests, are eager to talk to students about any topic relating to being a student at UW or living your life out in the world.  

If you missed your chance at attending a COW this year, don’t worry – this is a biannual event we host once per semester, so keep an eye out for COW's Spring semester 2023.

By Anna Staresnic

Conversations On Wisconsin Co-Chair