Staying Apart but Sticking Together - Badgers address the pandemic with creativity and compassion - On Wisconsin Magazine
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FO R U N I V E R S I T Y O F W I S C O N S I N – M A D I S O N A LU M N I A N D F R I E N D S SU M M E R 2 02 0
Staying Apart but
Sticking Together
Badgers address the
pandemic with creativity
and compassion.
Vision It’s a bot’s world: in April, as Wisconsin adapted to the Safer at Home order, the UW’s food delivery robots kept running, taking meals from the Gor- don Avenue Market to students who remained in the residence halls. Here, a line of the robots waits to cross West Johnson Street. Photo by Jeff Miller
ALUMNI PARK
WISCONSIN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
DESTINATION:
ALUMNI PARK
Photo: Joe Leute
Experience artful exhibits, alumni stories, and more. Add the new landmark on the lake to your UW itinerary.
UW–Madison, between Memorial Union and the Red Gym
ALUMNIPARK.COM
Contents Volume 121, Number 2
Lazy days at
Camp Gallistella.
See page 46.
UW ARCHIVES
DEPARTMENTS
2 Vision
6 Communications
9 First Person
OnCampus
11 News
13 Bygone Women’s Suffrage
14 Calculation Pandemic
Response
17 Conversation Anja Wanner
18 Exhibition Chazen Museum
of Art at 50
20 Contender Alicia Monson
OnAlumni
52 News
53 Tradition Concerts on the
Square FEATURES
54 Class Notes
61 Diversions 22 COVID-19 Time Line
62 Honor Roll Edward We lay out the university’s reaction to the pandemic, includ-
Schildhauer ing a message to alumni from Chancellor Rebecca Blank.
BRYCE RICHTER
63 Conversation Brandon By John Allen
Taylor
66 Destination Hancock 26 A Story of Almosts
Research Station Lee Kemp ’79, MBA’83 is the greatest wrestler in Wisconsin
history — so how come you’ve never heard of him?
By Robert Chappell MA’20
30 The Blast That Changed Everything
DANIELLE LAMBERSON PHILIPP
What was it like to experience the Sterling Hall bombing? Fifty
years later, alumni reflect on how it transformed campus and
their own lives. By Preston Schmitt ’14 and Doug Erickson
Brandon Taylor’s
40 Dairy 2.0 UW-inspired novel.
At a turning point for U.S. agriculture, UW–Madison See page 63.
ingenuity points the way forward. By Eric Hamilton
Dairy’s new era.
See page 40.
46 Paradise on Mendota
Once upon a time, UW summer-school students lived in a lake- Cover
side tent colony with its own peculiar traditions. Illustration by
By Tim Brady ’79 Giacomo Bagnara
On Wisconsin 5
Communications
In the wake of the COVID-19 UW Global Health @UWGlobalHealth
pandemic, most alumni have reached
out to the university community through Let’s #ChalkOneUp to our community of health
social media rather than through emails care professionals and those across industries
or letters. The following posts represent
a sampling of responses on Twitter as who are fighting this global health crisis! Get
alumni, faculty, students, and staff offer outside and create some chalk art to thank
encouragement and support to each other
and their communities. those on the frontlines, and be sure to tag
@UWGlobalHealth. We’re all in this together
Caroline STAY HOME PLEASE
Gottschalk Druschke
@creekthinker
I’m so so so proud to be at
@UWMadison right now. Every-
one seems to exude empathy,
intelligence, and care. It’s
impressive.
Ally Melby
@AllyyMelbyy
Chancellor Blank and @UWMad-
ison have communicated the
COVID-19 outbreak and the
resulting effects to its students
better than any other university. UW–Madison UW–Madison School of Pharmacy
Thank you, and I cannot wait @UWMadison @UWMadPharmacy
to still be able to celebrate my UW Anthropology professor Amidst #COVID19, we are
graduation at the postponed @johnhawks has a simple mes- extremely proud of our students
ceremony. sage to his fellow instructors: providing care for our communi-
“You can do this.” In an unprece- ties. #PharmD student Natasha
dented shift to alternative edu- Virrueta is working with Open Arms
Becky Blank cation methods, #UWMadison Free Clinic to provide patients their
instructors are showing extraor- medications and limiting contact
@BeckyBlank dinary commitment to teaching by using their version of a carhop.
I’ve been amazed at the dedica- their students.
tion the faculty, instructional staff, Katrina Daly Thompson
academic staff, advisers, graduate Andie D. @putawaytheglobe
@ADucklow Hosted my 1st #COVID19 virtual
students & others have shown @somegoodnews Badgers unite doctoral defense today on
in shifting to entirely new modes all across the US for a weekly vir- blackboard. @UWMadison #SLA
tual Jump Around session. Proud grad Sara Farsiu successfully
of teaching with just a couple of to be a Badger alum! defended her diss, “Migration,
weeks to prepare. I recognize how Language, & Feelings of Belong-
ing: A Linguistic Ethnography of
much extra work this has required. Ted Time Co. Iranian Migrants in Germany.”
@tedtimeco Congratulations, Dr. Farsiu!
Constantly inspired by fellow
UW System Badger @JakeWoodTR and the
@UWSystem work of @TeamRubicon, so much Badgers United
Nursing students at @UWMad- so it pushed us to find a way @badgers_united
ison are finding ways to help: we could help too. Learn more The @UWMadison’s State Lab-
including providing child care for about our work getting masks to oratory of Hygiene is working 7
health workers while they deal our health care workers on the days a week to prepare Wisconsin
with the COVID-19 pandemic. frontline. for COVID-19, conducting more
6 On Wisconsin SUM MER 2 02 0
than 400 tests a day. Research UW–Madison Science
coming out of our flagship univer- @UWMadScience
sity is as important as ever. We love to see Badgers pitching
in to help, especially as we con-
front the #COVID19 pandemic.
Anupras Thanks to everyone on cam-
@anupras22 pus sending PPE for patients,
I’m an international student living health care workers and other
on campus in Madison. I would critical needs through the
like to take this opportunity to @UWMadison EOC. If you can
thank all the essential workers help, contact: EOC_PPE_Sup-
working for students like me, plies@lists.wisc.edu CORONAVIRUS
maintaining cleanliness of dorm CENTRAL
common areas, providing food to Along with soap and hand
us etc UW–Madison Education
sanitizer, one thing UW–Mad-
@UWMadEducation
ison desperately needs during
As #COVID19 shuts down
The Wisconsin Idea schools across the nation, the pandemic is clarity. Enter
@wisidea @UWMadison’s Cindy covid19.wisc.edu, a website
While we’re all practicing social Kuhrasch, her colleagues, and that pulls together news about
distancing, online resources from students are sharing ideas to campus operations during this
@UWMadison can make you feel help parents keep their kids extraordinary time. To see how
a little closer to campus. And, active. Kuhrasch oversees our faculty, researchers, stu-
follow along with #onwisconsin- physical education teacher dents, and alumni are fighting
athome for more ideas about how education program. COVID-19, you can also visit the
we can social distance together go.wisc.edu/957g52 new webpage advanceuw.org/
even when apart. @UWmadpeteachers coronavirus. And if you’d like
information mailed directly to
your inbox, sign up for the UW’s
Rick Lindroth @LindrothLab COVID-19 Update newsletter at
Within hours of the call for donations of per- go.wisc.edu/covid19update.
sonal protective equipment and supplies in
critically short supply in the medical commu-
UW ARCHIVES
nity, faculty in my department assembled this
donation. #COVID19 #workingfromhome
@UWMadison @UWMadisonCALS
1970 ALL OVER AGAIN
We devoted a longer-than-usual
10 pages to our article on the
Sterling Hall bombing (see page
30), but we really could have
written a book. Short of that,
we’ve put together an expanded
package for the online version,
with a wealth of images from uni-
versity archives. To be transport-
ed back to the turbulent days of
1970, scroll through the story at
onwisconsin.uwalumni.com.
On Wisconsin 7
Moving Forward Together
Capitol Lakes extends our deepest thanks and appreciation to
everyone in the greater Madison community working to make a
difference during this unprecedented time.
Capitol Lakes is a Pacific Retirement Services community and an equal housing opportunity. retirement.org/madison
8 On Wisconsin SUM MER 2 02 0
First Person
UW ARCHIVES
Summer 2020
COEDITORS
Niki Denison, Wisconsin Foundation and
Alumni Association (WFAA)
Dean Robbins, University Communications
PUBLISHER
Wisconsin Foundation and
Alumni Association
1848 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53726-4090
608-263-4545
Email: onwisconsin@uwalumni.com
Web: onwisconsin.uwalumni.com
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
John Allen, WFAA
WRITER
Preston Schmitt ’14, University Marketing
CLASS NOTES/DIVERSIONS EDITOR Much has been written about the 1970 bombing of In our article,
Stephanie Awe ’15, WFAA UW–Madison’s Sterling Hall and its effect on the alumni recall
ART DIRECTOR Vietnam War protest movement. But “The Blast the 1970 Sterling
Hall bombing as
Danielle Lawry, University Marketing That Changed Everything” (page 30), which marks if it had occurred
DESIGNERS the 50th anniversary, is a unique contribution to the last night.
Christine Knorr ’97 and Danielle Lamberson historical record.
Philipp, University Marketing
The article presents newly acquired testimony from 46 former UW
PRODUCTION EDITOR students who were in town that day or who followed the shocking news
Eileen Fitzgerald ’79, University Marketing from off campus. A half-century later, they recall the incident as if it had
PHOTOGRAPHERS occurred last night.
Jeff Miller and Bryce Richter, University Clearly, feelings are still raw about this turning point in their lives.
Communications
Old arguments rage about the war and the protests. And yet, 50 years on,
DESIGN, LAYOUT, AND PRODUCTION the alumni can reflect on their experiences in a way that wasn’t possible
Kent Hamele ’78, Kate Price ’09: University
Marketing; Nicole Heiman, Chelsea
in the heat of the moment. The article offers a mature perspective on
Schlecht ’13, Erin Sprague ’94: WFAA what happened in 1970 and what it all meant.
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Developing the package was an emotional experience for our edito-
Allison Garfield ’20 and Megan Provost ’20 rial team. More than 300 alumni responded to our call for reminiscences,
many of them anguished about the death of postdoctoral researcher
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES
Madison Magazine: 608-270-3600 Robert Fassnacht MS’60, PhD’67 and their own role in the political unrest.
We strove to provide a representative sampling, including comments that,
ADDRESS CHANGES AND
DEATH NOTICES
for some, will be painful to read. But we discovered that there’s simply no
888-947-2586 way to smooth over this tragic episode in UW–Madison history.
Email: alumnichanges@uwalumni.com We hope the article will shed new light on the campus climate before
Quarterly production of On Wisconsin is and after the bombing. And for those who lived through the momentous
supported by financial gifts from alumni event, we hope the chance to discuss it has brought a measure of — to
and friends. To make a gift to UW–Madison, use an essential word from the era — peace.
please visit supportuw.org.
As we prepared our story on a catastrophe from years past,
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association a very different catastrophe hit UW–Madison in 2020. Starting in March,
(WFAA) is open to all alumni, students, and friends of the
university. WFAA encourages diversity, inclusivity, and
the coronavirus pandemic turned a normal spring semester into an
participation by all of these groups in its activities and unprecedented exercise in crisis management. For safety’s sake, stu-
does not discriminate on any basis.
dents moved out of residence halls, face-to-face courses migrated online,
Printed on recycled paper. and events shut down. An article on page 22 chronicles the university’s
Please recycle this magazine. Please read it first.
response to quickly changing circumstances.
On page 25, you’ll find a poignant message to On Wisconsin readers from
Chancellor Rebecca Blank. “We are all in this together,” the chancellor said
earlier this spring, “and we’ll get through it.” Hang in there, Badgers.
DEAN ROBBINS
On Wisconsin 9
WHEN
DOCTORS
NEED
FACE
SHIELDS,
BADGERS
ENGINEER A DESIGN?
PUBLISH IT ONLINE?
DELIVER.
PARTNER WITH FORD?
AND JOHN DEERE?
MILLIONS AND COUNTING.
YOU’RE ON,
WISCONSIN.
wisc.eduOnCampus News from UW–Madison
COURTESY OF OPEN SEAT
Campus Answers
the COVID-19 Call
The Badger community springs
into action to save lives.
UW president Charles Van Hise 1879, 1880, MS1882, PhD1892
didn’t succumb to the Spanish flu, but his November 1918 obituary is
surrounded by some of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who FOOD FOR THOUGHT
did. And as the world struggles with a similar pandemic a century later, A growing issue on college
it’s fitting that Van Hise’s greatest contribution to the university — the campuses across the country,
Wisconsin Idea — is clearly guiding the UW community even in the food and resource insecurity
darkest of times. can contribute to isolation,
In March, following an urgent inquiry from UW Hospital, UW–Mad-
ison engineers partnered with local manufacturers and a consulting firm
to develop medical face shields, a critical piece of personal protective
300
bottles of hand
anxiety, and damaging aca-
demic consequences. The Open
Seat, sponsored by the Asso-
sanitizer pro-
equipment (PPE) for health care workers treating COVID-19 patients. In ciated Students of Madison, is
duced per day
less than a week, the team delivered a first batch to UW Hospital, whose by the School of
a student-run food pantry that
suppliers were out of stock, and published the design online as open Pharmacy focuses on reducing the number
source. Ford and John Deere picked up the “Badger Shield” template of Badgers facing this challenge.
with plans to produce hundreds of thousands of face shields per week. Students can use their Wiscards
Using existing materials from book binding and a new supply chain, the to receive up to $30 in grocer-
UW Division of Information Technology’s printing center transitioned ies and personal care supplies
to producing 1,000 face shields per day for UW Hospital. each week. Through a partner-
The UW School of Pharmacy has stepped up to acquire ingredients ship with Second Harvest Food
and produce 300 12-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer per day for UW Bank, the food pantry is able to
Health facilities. “If it wasn’t for this, we really wouldn’t have any to help purchase hundreds of pounds
protect both our patients and our employees,” said Jerame Hill MS’16, of items — fresh, canned, and
director of UW Health’s pharmacy supply chain. Departments, labs, and nonperishable — each month at
student groups across campus have also donated PPE, including 500 N95 relatively low cost.
respirator masks from a student competition team that builds concrete Created in February 2016, the
canoes. Open Seat was assisting more
As its workers serve on the front lines of COVID-19 patient treat- than 1,500 students and their
ment, UW Health has partnered with the Wisconsin Clinical Lab Net- dependents in the period leading
work to significantly expand the state’s testing capacities. In the earliest up to the close of campus during
days of the outbreak, UW–Madison’s Wisconsin State Laboratory of the COVID-19 pandemic. There
Hygiene expanded its operations to seven days a week and was one of are no student background or
just two labs in the state with the ability to conduct tests. financial checks, and 100 per-
After announcing the university’s decision to postpone spring com- cent of all donations go directly
mencement, Chancellor Rebecca Blank acknowledged the heart- to purchasing items to restock
breaking conclusion to the graduating students’ college experience but the pantry. With 19 donation
applauded their resilience and contributions in a time of crisis. “I am sites across campus, this benefit
immensely proud of every one of you,” she told them. “You are living helps students thrive inside and
through the kind of moment that shapes an entire generation, and you’re outside the classroom, ensuring
doing it with grace, resilience, and compassion.” that all Badgers have the food
P R E STO N S C H M I T T ’14 and resources they deserve.
NICOLE HEIMAN
On Wisconsin 11OnCampus
ILLUSTRATION BY DANIELLE LAMBERSON PHILIPP
BRAD BARKET/GET TY IMAGES
DAY-TRIPPING WITH
JON STEWART
Three years ago, comedian Jon
Stewart was planning to write and
direct a movie about the clash
between Democrats and Republi-
cans in small-town Wisconsin. How
could the New York City native bone
up on political culture in a Midwest-
ern battleground state? Research vs. Coronavirus
Step one was to read The Politics Back in 2016, when Zika virus first began to cause infections in the Americas,
of Resentment, in which UW–Mad- UW–Madison researchers David O’Connor and Thomas Friedrich ’97,
ison political science professor PhD’03 pulled together a coalition of scientists to study the virus and openly
Katherine Cramer ’94 shares her share their data. Now O’Connor and Friedrich are using the 2016 playbook to
conversations with rural Wisconsin study the novel coronavirus that emerged in Wuhan, China, last December. The
residents about their mistrust of virus, which causes flu-like symptoms and respiratory illness, has affected mil-
the liberal establishment. Step two lions of people around the world.
was to ask Cramer herself for a tour The researchers want to create opportunities to test new vaccines and anti-
of the state. virals and to share critical data in real time for other researchers to use. They
In December 2017, Cramer drove also hope to advance biological understanding of the disease, especially to assist
around Wisconsin for 10 hours with clinicians on the front lines responding to the pandemic.
Stewart and his assistant, intro- At the Influenza Research Institute, UW professor of pathobiological sciences
ducing them to people she inter- Yoshihiro Kawaoka is interested in studying how the virus causes illness and
viewed for the book. Stewart made what cells it’s capable of infecting. The results could be used for treatments and
use of what he learned to create vaccines, including one under development called CoroFlu in collaboration with
Irresistible, a comedy scheduled for Madison-based FluGen, cofounded by Kawaoka.
release this year. In an attempt to Adel Talaat, from the School of Veterinary Medicine, is working on a
win back the heartland, a Demo- vaccine based on technology his lab has already developed to combat a differ-
cratic strategist (Steve Carell) gets ent coronavirus common in agricultural animals. UW Hospital has joined the
involved in the mayoral campaign National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project, which will study the use of
of a retired Marine colonel (Chris antibodies from people who have recovered from the disease to treat infected
Cooper) who stands up for undocu- patients. Many others on campus have contributed their expertise to news cov-
mented workers in his conservative erage to inform the public.
Wisconsin town. The UW–Madison researchers are at the leading edge of efforts to understand
Stewart’s tale of the Badger an emerging human illness.
State was filmed on location in … “My lab is interested in why viruses emerge from somewhere and begin caus-
Georgia. Still, thanks to Cramer, ing diseases in humans,” says Friedrich. “If we can understand that, hopefully
the movie is steeped in Wisconsin we can erect more barriers to prevent this sort of thing from happening in the
research. future.”
DEAN ROBBINS K E LLY A P R I L T Y R R E LL M S’ 1 1
12 On Wisconsin SUM MER 2 02 0Bygone Women’s Suffrage
WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
If you plot out the course of the The year 1878 saw the forma- Ada James, Follette 1904, another UW grad,
women’s suffrage movement of the tion of the Madison Equal Suffrage founder of the inherited her mother’s suffragist
late 19th and early 20th centuries, Association with then–University Political Equality spirit and famously said that “a
Madison is no Seneca Falls, but it of Wisconsin president John League, distrib- good husband is not a substitute
uted pro-suffrage
certainly isn’t excluded from the Bascom’s wife, Emma Curtiss for the ballot.”
leaflets at county
map. Wisconsin was politically Bascom, as president. John, who fairs and dropped
Other notable Badger suffrag-
active during this time, and it presided over campus from 1874 them from air- ists include Clara Bewick Colby
was a frequent stop for suffrage to 1887, delivered the opening planes. 1869, the valedictorian of the
titans such as Lucy Stone, Susan remarks of the Wisconsin Wom- UW’s first coed class, and Politi-
B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady en’s Suffrage Association conven- cal Equality League founder Ada
Stanton. On June 10, 1919, Wis- tion in Madison on September 7, James 1911.
consin ratified the hard-fought 1882, addressing the likes of Lucy James was a successful suffrag-
19th Amendment that prohib- Stone and Henry Blackwell. ist who worked closely with her
ited voter discrimination based Although suffrage rallies and father, state Senator David James,
on gender. The nation officially displays were uncommon on to move Wisconsin to ratify the
adopted that amendment 100 campus, the women who led them 19th Amendment. The state was
years ago this August. elsewhere often held UW degrees. the first in the nation to do so after
Many iconic university loca- Belle Case La Follette 1879, Senator James took the train to
tions bear names (does Bascom LLB1885, the first female gradu- hand-deliver the ratification docu-
ring a bell?) of those who shaped ate of the University of Wisconsin ments to Washington, DC.
and facilitated the suffrage move- Law School and wife of Wiscon- We’ve come a long way since
ment. The tireless work of home- sin governor Robert “Fight- the days of raising our voices for
grown, grassroots, Midwestern ing Bob” La Follette 1879, the women’s vote, but one thing
suffragists continues to inspire LLD1901, was a strong advocate never changes: when Badgers
the women whose present careers for women’s suffrage and traveled want better for their country, they
were made possible by their prede- the country delivering speeches on put in the work.
cessors’ passion and persistence. the topic. Her daughter, Fola La M E G A N P R OVO ST ’ 20
On Wisconsin 13Calculation Pandemic Response
GRAPHIC BY DANIELLE LAWRY
COVID-19
UW–Madison acted swiftly to deal with the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These numbers reflect just a few of those initiatives,* as well as the impact on
daily campus operations.
19,600
Face shields printed at DoIT’s Digital
Publishing and Printing Services. A
Badger Shield manufacturer’s database
included 308 companies and individuals
62+
Pending and awarded
proposals for
with a combined daily capacity to COVID-19-related
produce more than 2 million shields research on campus
23 7,572
Members of UW–led Students who
international team that have taken the
is working on creating university’s new
a COVID-19 vaccine virtual campus tour
657,922 7,700
Page views for UW–Madison COVID-19 website Spring courses moved online
120 560 Technical and other staff members
across campus who supported the
transition to online instruction
137
Students approved to stay in
Beds made available at the the residence halls when
Lowell Center as a voluntary classes resumed online after
isolation option, targeted toward spring break (compared to
those with COVID-19 symptoms some 7,900 students before
unable to isolate at home the break)
179 19
COVID-related requests for Number of times UW–Madison
help from small businesses experts were quoted in the New
fielded by the Small Business York Times on the coronavirus
Development Center between March 12 and April 17
*Figures current as of April 26, 2020.
14 On Wisconsin SUM MER 2 02 0OnCampus
A Sign of Hope
NORBERT HÜLSMANN
They’re hard to miss around cam-pus:
thousands of bright green bandanas
twirling from students’ backpacks.
But it’s no Gen Z fashion statement
— it’s a statement of support for
thousands of their college class-
mates who may be struggling with
mental health issues or suicidal
thoughts.
The Bandana Project movement,
founded in 2016 by UW–Madison
student Conlin Bass ’18, is spread-
ing nationwide with a silent but pow-
erful message: You’re not alone.
“The green bandana is kind of a billboard on our backpacks,” explains
UW student Kenia Link x’21, director of the Bandana Project. “It’s
saying, ‘Hey, I’m an ally for mental health. I’m here for you. It’s normal MYSTERY BLOB
to talk about this.’ ” In October, the Paris Zoological Park caused
Any student can pick up a bandana from the UW chapter of the a stir when displaying the slime mold Physa-
National Alliance on Mental Illness, which oversees the project in close rum polycephalum. Reminiscent of the 1958
partnership with University Health Services and the UW Police Depart- horror film The Blob, the mysterious sub-
ment. All participants carry campus resource cards to hand out to stu- stance — not a plant, an animal, or a fungus
dents who approach them. — caught the attention of national news
Some 6,000 UW students display the bandanas each year, and the outlets for its reportedly “smart” behaviors,
project just received a big boost thanks to a fundraising pledge from the such as movement and an ability to learn,
Class of 2020. Consulting with the UW’s Bandana Project, students at despite its lack of a brain. One news outlet,
more than two dozen high schools and universities — including Purdue Wired, spoke with UW botany professor Anne
and Nebraska — have also joined the effort. Pringle about the organism.
Although Link believes society is making progress on mental health Pringle, who has helped shed light on
awareness, suicide remains the second-highest cause of death among some of P. polycephalum’s behaviors in past
college students. A 2019 survey of UW students found that 1 in 10 had research, tells On Wisconsin that she wasn’t
thought about suicide in the past year. surprised by the news coverage and wide-
For hope, Link thinks back to one of her first interactions as a Ban- spread interest. There’s still a lot to learn
dana Project participant. A freshman inquired about the bandana and, about slime molds and their biodiversity,
overcome with relief, shared that she’d been struggling with suicidal she says, and P. polycephalum challenges
ideation since arriving on campus. human ways of thinking. “The words ‘intelli-
“She told me that it made her whole day turn around for the better,” gence’ and ‘memory’ are very human words,”
Link says. she says. “I think we could be more creative
And then she asked for a green bandana. about how we think about other creatures.”
P R E STO N S C H M I T T ’14 ST E P H A N I E AW E ’ 1 5
news feed
U.S. News & World Report In an epic goof, Target pro- Is UW Athletic Director Barry
KILEIGH CARPENTER; JEFF MILLER
has again rated UW– duced a onesie emblazoned Alvarez a legend in his own
Madison graduate pro- with the name “Minnesota time? The latest evidence
grams among the nation’s Badgers.” For once, fans of is a lifetime achievement
best. Printmaking and both UW–Madison and the award from the Wisconsin
curriculum and instruction University of Minnesota Hall of Fame. He’ll be in good
were ranked first, and the could agree on something: company with this year’s
School of Education was this abomination had to inductees, who include
number one among public come off the shelves. Which former Green Bay Packers
institutions. it did, immediately. quarterback Brett Favre.
On Wisconsin 15OnCampus
JEFF BELL/UW ATHLETICS
A U W DE GR E E , A L L ON L I N E
Starting this fall, students will be able to earn a bach-
elor’s degree from UW–Madison without once climb-
ing Bascom Hill — or ever setting foot on campus.
The School of Human Ecology has opened enroll-
ment for an online personal-finance program, the
university’s first fully remote undergraduate offering.
The program is designed for adults who have already
earned some college credits or an associate degree
and seek the flexibility to finish their studies around
their existing schedules.
“Online options expand access and allow us to
bring a UW–Madison degree within reach for more
nontraditional undergraduates,” says Chancellor
Rebecca Blank.
The UW’s traditional program in personal finance
is ranked second nationally by WealthManagement.
com. The curriculum prepares students for a range of
careers in financial advising, analysis, wealth and risk
management, product development, and consumer
behavior. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has pro-
Big Red Turns Blue What’s that strange color ema- jected 15 percent growth in personal-finance careers
nating from Camp Randall Stadium? UW–Madison is known between 2016 and 2026.
for Badger red, but on April 9 it joined the rest of the coun- UW Continuing Studies has worked for years to
try in the #LightItBlue campaign to honor workers fighting identify possible degree offerings, develop digital
COVID-19. The goal was to light up iconic structures, so the infrastructure, and train instructors on how to deliver
Field House and the Kohl Center got the same glowing treat- courses online. The personal-finance program’s high
ment. We never thought we’d say this in the vicinity of UW demand and nimble operations positioned it for online
athletic facilities, but … Go Big Blue! piloting, says Nancy Wong, chair of the Department of
#1
Consumer Science, which confers the major.
We are the (virtual) champions! “This is not going to be a separate or stepchild pro-
DANIELLE LAWRY
After the pandemic sunk the NCAA gram,” she adds. “It’s the same degree with an online
men’s basketball tournament, ESPN option, and it’s taught by the same instructors.”
ran a simulation to determine the results. The university entered the digital learning sphere
more than 20 years ago — long before the COVID-19
The number-four seed Badgers squeaked
pandemic forced all spring 2020 courses to move
through the tournament, stunting rival online. Now, the UW offers nearly three dozen online
Marquette in the Sweet Sixteen and beat- master’s degrees and professional certificates, and
ing BYU in the championship game. It was there are plans to launch more undergraduate
a fitting end for a resilient bunch — the programs under the UW–Madison Online initiative
statistical model gave Wisconsin a less (online.wisc.edu).
than 1 percent chance of winning it all. P R E STO N S C H M I T T ’ 1 4
news feed
As UW–Madison deals with The Badger community has As a major research
the daily realities of managing mourned Brittany Zimmer- university, UW–Madison
MADISON POLICE; JEFF MILLER
the coronavirus, UW Archives mann x’08 since she was faces fierce competition
is keeping an eye on posterity. murdered in her campus-area in attracting top talent.
It’s put out a call for recol- apartment in 2008. In March, This should help: John ’55
lections of the pandemic, in- there was finally a break in the and Tashia Morgridge ’55
cluding emails, photographs, case. David Kahl, an inmate in are matching up to $70
videos, and other documen- the Wisconsin prison system, million of donor gifts for
tation of how the campus was charged with first-degree endowed professorships
community responded. intentional homicide. or chair funds.
16 On Wisconsin SUM MER 2 02 0Conversation Anja Wanner
Anja Wanner, chair of UW–Mad- than prescriptive? Anja Wanner on social media?
ison’s Department of English and In linguistics, we are descrip- is chair of We don’t just want to convey
professor of English language tive. Our job is to look at the UW–Madison’s what we’re having for dinner.
and linguistics, almost became language that we find, see the Department of We also want to convey how
English and the
a journalist until she took her patterns, use experiments or Eccles Profes-
we’re feeling about it. In texting
first linguistics course while a grammaticality judgment tests sor of English or online chats, we’re using
student in Germany. The subject, to really get to those patterns Language and written language — including
she feels, perfectly combines and learn about how language Linguistics. creative spelling, omissions,
her loves of language and data. is used. Linguists are not really Increasing and creative punctuation — and
The author, editor, and Chan- concerned with prescriptive donor support emoji to convey that extra in-
for faculty is an
cellor’s Distinguished Teaching grammar. We are not the important part
formation. Research shows over
Award recipient researches how grammar police, we don’t walk of the UW’s All and over again: it doesn’t ruin
populations — such as those in around [telling] anyone how to Ways Forward our grammar at all; it just adds
academia and those with demen- speak. We are just listening and comprehensive a register.
tia — use English syntax and collecting data. campaign.
grammar. Read on for her take What is your take on using a
on the use of grammar while Do your colleagues in the singular they as a gender-
texting and on they as a singular, English department share neutral pronoun?
gender-neutral pronoun. this outlook? I think the most interesting
I have many colleagues who are stuff happens with pronouns
What does grammar mean not linguists. A senior colleague right now, because the rules for
to linguists and syntacti- at one point wanted to under- pronoun usage are not coming
cians? stand what I’m working on, and from a point of bad grammar;
Grammar to a linguist is some- I said, “Well, I’m writing this [they’re] coming from a point
thing that everybody has, that book on the English passive of being inclusive. And that is
everybody is fluent in, otherwise [voice].” And she said, “The pas- a very different motivation for
they could not produce sen- sive? The passive is not allowed directing people how to use
tences. So for a linguist and a in my classes.” And I thought grammar. I think the trend will
syntactician, grammar is really that was fabulous because she be at some point that we use
an enabler, rather than for the was using a passive — “the they as the default because it is
layperson, [where] grammar passive is not allowed” the most inclusive form. For our
is sometimes thought of as a — to make a statement students, there’s nothing odd
corset. For a linguist, grammar on how terrible this about inclusive they, and even
is really what allows you to construction was conservative style manuals are
express complex ideas — and for and how nobody getting on board.
us as social beings, that under- should use it.
lies our creativity and how we Interview by Stephanie Awe ’15
work and function. What language Photo by Bryce Richter
patterns might
Do you consider yourself to you notice in
be more descriptive texting and
On Wisconsin 17Exhibition Chazen Museum of Art at 50
COURTESY OF THE CHAZEN MUSEUM (TOP LEFT); JEFF MILLER (BOT TOM LEFT); COURTESY OF AMANDA MCCAVOUR (RIGHT)
UW–Madison made national news in 2005 when a Top left: The inau- pulled together from across campus. Starting in the
$20 million gift from Simona x’49 and Jerome ’48 gural exhibition 1980s, former director Russell Panczenko applied
Chazen kicked off a major expansion of the Elvehjem in 1970. Bottom himself to boosting the collection’s size and quality.
Museum of Art. A stately addition opened in 2011, left: The Chazen’s Now, with more than 23,000 works and 100,000 vis-
addition opens in
doubling the size of the renamed Chazen Museum. itors per year, the Chazen is UW–Madison’s crown
2011. Right: An
It had surpassed its peers to become the largest col- artist’s concep-
jewel.
lecting museum in the Big Ten. tion of Amanda The Chazen had planned to mark its anniversary
The Chazen again made national news last Sep- McCavour’s 50th with exhibitions opening in August and September,
tember when it extended its hours from 8 a.m. to anniversary but everything’s up in the air with the COVID-19
8 p.m., seven days a week, establishing itself as the installation. pandemic. For the time being, the museum will con-
country’s most-open museum. The new schedule — tinue a social media campaign featuring works of art
along with a sunny new café — was a radical state- acquired every year since 1970. It will also publish
ment of accessibility. Attendance promptly spiked. a handbook showcasing one object or collection for
“We want you to feel like this is a place you can each of the museum’s 50 years.
come as part of your whole life,” says Chazen director A special installation by embroidery artist
Amy Gilman. “Not only when you want to see a Amanda McCavour, originally scheduled to open on
special exhibition, but when you want to have a cup August 15, will happen at some point. She’ll hang lush
of coffee or just meditate.” botanical shapes from Paige Court’s third-floor ceil-
As the Chazen celebrates its 50th anniversary, ing, encouraging visitors to see the space with new
Gilman is rethinking its role on campus and in the eyes.
Madison community. Among her long-range plans is McCavour is breaking out as a major talent, and
a complete reinstallation of the permanent collection. this exhibition will be her largest commission to date.
Fasten your seat belts: this is a museum on the move. Don’t be surprised if, once again, the Chazen makes
It’s come a long way from the modest Elvehjem national news.
Art Center, which opened in 1970 with collections DEAN ROBBINS
18 On Wisconsin SUM MER 2 02 0OnCampus
BRYCE RICHTER
“Woke up with a
smile on my face
today. Why?
Can’t help but
A Dog’s Life feel that some-
where on the
Earlier this year, Scout inspired a nation with his battle against cancer. The
seven-year-old golden retriever was the face of WeatherTech, a company
known for creating automotive protection equipment and pet accessories,
and though he died in March, his life’s final chapter included an appearance
on national television and an effort to promote better lives for all animals.
planet, there’s
In 2019, Scout was diagnosed with a malignant tumor on his heart. He
came under the care of the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, where staff a @UWMadi-
worked to prolong his life and improve its quality. Scout’s owner (Weather-
Tech founder and CEO David MacNeil, shown above with Scout and UW son alum hard at
work on a solu-
chancellor Rebecca Blank) was so grateful that he created a commercial
called “Lucky Dog,” featuring Scout and promoting donations to the UW; it
ran during the second quarter of the Super Bowl. Thousands of gifts arrived
in the following weeks in support of clinical research and specialized equip-
ment at the School of Veterinary Medicine to better diagnose, treat, and
tion to this thing
prevent cancer — discoveries that are shared with the world.
According to veterinary school dean Mark Markel, “This heroic golden
[COVID-19 pan-
retriever [inspired] an unprecedented opportunity to highlight on a global
stage the importance of veterinary medicine for both animals and people, demic]. Because
and our impact in advancing innovative therapies to fight cancer and other
devastating diseases.”
Ultimately, Scout lost his battle with cancer. But his legacy continues
that’s what
with the Pets Make a Difference campaign in support of work that may lead
to cancer treatment breakthroughs.
Badgers do.”
J O H N A LL E N — Mike Mahnke ’84, via Twitter
news feed
UW–Madison innovators In a major milestone, the UW Even with the season
have created a better way for Health Transplant Program became truncated by coronavirus,
DANIELLE LAWRY; UW ATHLETICS
surgeons to locate tumors one of the first in the U.S. to trans- men’s basketball fans were
during lumpectomies for plant an adult heart from a donor proud to see Greg Gard
breast cancer. The new sys- who died of circulatory death rather honored as Big Ten Coach
tem — in which a high-fre- than brain death. The development of the Year. Gard was mod-
quency signal replaces the could significantly reduce wait est about his role in
old metal clip — promises to times and decrease the number of leading the Badgers
reduce patient stress, pain, people who die before an accept- to a conference title:
and costs. able heart becomes available. “This is a team award.”Contender Alicia Monson
Cross-country and track-and- at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Alicia Monson “To have another woman
field star Alicia Monson x’20 Invitational in fall, and she took x’20 received coach who’s so knowledgeable is
has grit. first in the 5,000-meter race at the Peter Tegen really awesome,” Monson says,
The middle-distance runner the Big Ten indoor champion- Women’s Track noting that Wartenberger, also an
and Cross Coun-
earned her first national title in ship earlier this year. assistant track-and-field coach,
try Scholarship.
early 2019 for the 5,000-meter It wasn’t her first confron- is helping Monson prepare for
Increasing dona-
race at the NCAA indoor cham- tation with injury in her athletic tions for student her goals to become a profes-
pionships. That same year, she career. During her senior year support is a vital sional runner and to eventually
also won the 3,000-meter race of high school — shortly after part of the UW’s medal at the Olympics.
during the prestigious Millrose being recruited to the Badger All Ways Forward During a senior year filled
Games in New York City, where cross-country and track-and- comprehensive with change and unpredictability,
she broke the UW and Big Ten field teams — Monson tore her campaign. Monson has remained resolute.
records and earned the third- ACL playing basketball. After the 2020 spring season was
best time in NCAA history. She “The ACL injury taught me canceled due to the coronavirus
has also been recognized with exactly how to … make sure to outbreak, the UW, in contrast
accolades such as First Team do the little things that’ll help with the NCAA, announced it
All-American, Big Ten Indoor me come back better than I was would not extend eligibility for
Track Athlete of the Year, and Big before,” Monson says. “It’s a seniors to compete in 2021.
Ten Cross-Country Champion. huge mental struggle.” “The announcement made
But these victories and titles Monson grew up in Amery, my decision easy, but it was still
alone don’t demonstrate why Wisconsin, where she was sad to think that I wouldn’t have
Monson is tough (and tough to involved in volleyball as well as the opportunity to compete in
beat). She also has a strong men- basketball. She first decided my senior season as a Bad-
tality in the face of adversity. to try track and field in middle ger. However, I know the UW is
Monson missed the majority school, following in her older trying to keep the bigger picture
of the 2019 outdoor track-and- sister’s footsteps. When she in mind to try setting people
field season last spring due demonstrated a knack for the up in the best, most concrete
to a foot injury resulting from sport, a friend convinced her situations possible,” she says.
overexertion. Although she to quit volleyball to join cross Monson is grateful for the
was beginning to feel the injury country during her freshman opportunities the university has
during that winter’s NCAA indoor year of high school. After offi- provided her and is most proud
championships, she pushed cial visits with UW–Madison, of the relationships she’s built.
through for the national title. the University of Minnesota, When asked what it means
“It’s incredible to know that and Iowa State, Monson wanted to her to be a Badger, she
even though I was hurting a to attend the UW for both its answers with little pause.
little bit, I was confident in my strong academics and dis- “One of the things that I
skills and in my ability to actu- tance-running history. think of a lot is being ‘Badger
ally win,” Monson says. She also saw former coach tough,’ ” she says. “That’s one
Coming off the injury in the Jill Miller as a role model. of our sayings, and I think it
2019–20 season, Monson didn’t “[Miller] definitely cared really just shows that anyone
miss a beat. She won the 6,000- about how you were outside from Wisconsin is going to come
meter race for a second time of running, so I really appreci- to a race, or come to training,
ated that,” Monson says. “And or come to an exam for school
having a woman as a coach was just being ready to give their
absolutely awesome. I had Jill best for the day. I think it
for three years, and she taught definitely speaks a lot to our
me a ton. determination.”
“I think that there abso- Monson exemplifies this
lutely need to be more women motto, perhaps best shown
coaches and women in power. during her 5,000-meter race at
Jill [showed] that you can have the 2019 Big Ten indoor champi-
confidence in whatever you do.” onships. She cheered on team-
Although Monson was ini-
tially nervous about a coaching
change during her senior year,
she says she also looks up to
the new head coach for wom-
en’s cross country, Mackenzie
Wartenberger.mate Amy Davis ’20, who stayed
close behind Monson as they
neared the finish line — result-
ing in first- and second-place
finishes for the Badger athletes.
“When you’re going into the
last lap of a race and you’re
already tired, it’s pretty dif-
ficult to cheer on your team-
mate,” Monson says as she
reflects on the moment. “[But]
knowing that if I can be there
for her when she needs it, I’m
definitely going to do that.”
ST E P H A N I E AW E ’15
P H OTO BY TO M LY N NTHE CORONAVIRUS SEMESTER
SPRING 2020
A time line of the campus reaction to COVID-19
BY JOHN ALLEN
I n March 2020, UW–Madison did something
it had never done before: it shut down all
in-person instruction. After Friday the 13th
and until the end of the spring semester, no lec-
tures, seminars, or lab sessions would meet; all
The action was new, but it wasn’t entirely
without precedent. In the fall of 1918, the UW
also responded to the threat of pandemic by clos-
ing some classes. “All large lecture courses and
recreational gatherings of students were sus-
instruction would be done remotely. Dire warn- pended during the period of the Spanish influ-
ings about the novel coronavirus forced the UW enza epidemic,” noted the Wisconsin Alumni
to become an online university. Magazine, predecessor to On Wisconsin.
22 On Wisconsin SUM MER 2 02 0BRIAN HUYNH
The influenza pandemic of 1918–19 was one of the
most harrowing periods in history. More than half
a million Americans died, and between 50 million
and 100 million people worldwide. The 1920 Badger
yearbook lists victims among the dead of World War I:
“Floyd Allen Ramsay 1920, died of Spanish Influenza
near Nevers, France … Eugene Washburn Roark died
of Spanish Influenza October 18, 1918, while in train-
ing at the naval aviation ground school … Carl Searle
1915 died at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore,
Maryland, on October 9, 1918, of Spanish Influenza.”
And yet there’s nothing else directly discussing the
closure. The university’s official reaction merited only
that one sentence, tucked on page 37 of the alumni
magazine — with no date for when the decision went
into effect or when it ended.
As campus It’s easy to imagine why the campus commu-
closed on March nity thought this needed so little coverage. It must
13, classrooms have been traumatic, even for a country at war. The
such as this one Badgers on campus in 1918 must have thought they
in Science Hall
would never forget the events of the great influenza
were left empty.
pandemic. And perhaps they never did. But a hun-
dred years later, they’re gone, and their memories
with them.
When the UW began taking steps to halt the
spread of a new pandemic, we at On Wisconsin
decided we should record them — and not only for
current alumni. Future generations will wonder what
steps the university took and when. This is for them.
DECEMBER
01 Doctors in Wuhan, China, document the first
case of respiratory illness of unknown cause. It’s
eventually linked to a newly discovered variety
of coronavirus. The resulting ailment is named
COVID-19 for coronavirus disease 2019.
JANUARY
21 The United States reports its first case of COVID-
19, in Washington state.
24 University Health Services executive director
Jake Baggott issues a statement about coronavi-
rus and offers guidance: wash hands often and
stay home when sick.
29 U W provost John Karl Scholz issues a statement
discouraging nonessential travel to China due to
the coronavirus outbreak.
30 A person who had been traveling in China arrives
at UW Hospital exhibiting COVID-19 symp-
toms. On February 5 tests confirm that this is
Wisconsin’s first (and America’s 12th) confirmed
COVID-19 case. UW doctor Nasia Safdar MS’02,
PhD’09 treats the patient, who recovers.
On Wisconsin 23BRYCE RICHTER
When courses resume on March 23, they will not
be in person but delivered via “alternate meth-
ods” — online — until April 13.
— T
he Wisconsin Alumni Association cancels all
alumni events through April 30.
12 All study-abroad programs are suspended.
— T
he Big Ten announces that the men’s basket-
ball tournament will be played in front of empty
stands; only players, coaches, and family mem-
bers will be allowed to attend. Later in the day,
the tournament is canceled. The Badgers, who
had the top seed, were scheduled to play their
first game on March 13.
— T
he NCAA cancels the men’s and women’s
basketball tournaments.
“We could not have students coming back
from spring break, living in our dormitories. — W
isconsin governor Tony Evers ’73, MS’76,
The likelihood of mass contagion was just PhD’86 declares a statewide health emergency.
too great. One observer of higher education — T
he NCAA announces that the women’s ice
likened the possibility to ‘having an infected hockey tournament — in which the UW is set
cruise liner in the middle of your campus.’ ” to face off against Clarkson — will be played in
— Provost John Karl Scholz front of an empty arena. Before the game starts,
the tournament is canceled.
FEBRUARY 13 Spring break begins.
26 Chancellor Rebecca Blank issues a statement
encouraging students and faculty to be mindful — T
he UW cancels all non-scholastic events, includ-
of international travel warnings before embark- ing the Varsity Band Concert.
ing on spring break.
— T
he Big Ten suspends all organized team activi-
— S
tudy-abroad programs in South Korea and ties through at least April 6.
mainland China are suspended. Students are
advised to return to their permanent residences
and to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Above: Students
BRIAN HUYNH
board buses to
29 The CDC announces the first American death leave campus on
linked to COVID-19, in Kirkland, Washington. March 13.
Right: Brian
MARCH Huynh x’23
04 Faculty and staff returning from Italy, South takes a class
Korea, and mainland China are asked to self-quar- from home. He
kept a photo
antine for 14 days, while those returning from
diary during the
lower-risk countries are asked to self-monitor. semester.
09 Blank issues a statement discouraging students,
faculty, and staff from all nonessential travel
outside of Dane County.
11 At a news conference, Blank announces that,
at the start of spring break, students living in
university residence halls will be asked to leave
campus and return to their permanent resi-
dences. Exceptions are made for those who can’t
return home, such as international students.
24 On Wisconsin SUM MER 2 02 0BRYCE RICHTER
14 The UW Foundation establishes an Emergency During a March
Student Fund to aid those affected by the COVID- press conference,
19 outbreak. Chancellor Blank
announced that
students should
15 The Madison Metropolitan School District sus- not return after
pends classes until at least April 6. spring break.
With her are
— U
W faculty and staff are encouraged to telecom- Jake Baggott
mute to work. of University
Health Services
(center) and
16 All campus childcare centers close. vice chancellor
for finance and
17 Blank announces that alternate delivery of classes administration
will continue through the end of the semester, Laurent Heller
including final exams. (right).
Dear Fellow Badgers,
18 The UW Libraries close.
What a year it has been.
23 Spring break ends, and classes resume. According Here at the UW, we (like so many of you)
to Scholz, more than 90 percent of courses are continue to deal with upheaval, isolation, and
ready to deliver online. uncertainty.
And yet, in the middle of this crisis, we also
— B
lank announces that commencement will be have found reasons to be hopeful. We’ve contin-
postponed. ued to move forward with much of the work of the
university, using technology in new ways. We’ve
— A
ccess to UW buildings is restricted to essential figured out how to stay in touch with, and deliver
personnel. education to, our students at a distance, and
loaned our residence halls to health care workers.
And we’ve been part of an international scien-
“Of all the decisions we’ve had to make in tific collaboration that is driving an extraordinary
this extraordinary time, this one has been response to fighting COVID-19. As mentioned in
the most heartbreaking.” this issue, UW–Madison is a clinical trial site for a
promising COVID-19 treatment, and members of
— Chancellor Rebecca Blank, statement on postponing commencement
our faculty are leading a worldwide team working
on a coronavirus vaccine.
24 Evers issues a Safer at Home order, asking non- And in the proud tradition of the Wiscon-
essential businesses to close. Its initial period sin Idea, when our faculty, staff, students, and
begins March 25 and runs through April 24. alumni heard about critical shortages of per-
sonal protective equipment, they pulled together
— C
ampus events and travel are restricted through and quickly figured out how to produce hand
May 15. sanitizer and make face shields. You’ll read more
about those efforts in these pages, too.
26 The UW offers students a special pass/fail grad- In short, I’ve been proud of this university and
ing option for the spring semester. how it has responded to this crisis in the past few
months.
APRIL The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Associa-
01 Blank announces that online-only instruction tion created a website to gather and share updates
will continue through summer term. from campus: advanceuw.org/coronavirus. I hope
you will follow what’s happening here, and I hope
16 Wisconsin’s Safer at Home order is extended to you will let us know how you are supporting one
May 26. another and your communities at this difficult
time.
29 The university announces faculty and staff fur- But most of all, I hope that you will take good
loughs as part of a plan to address the pandemic’s care of yourselves and your families.
financial effect. UW–Madison estimates it may I look forward to the day when we can welcome
face a $100 million shortfall. • you back to campus in person.
Be well and keep in touch.
Note: News around the COVID-19 pandemic develops rap- My best,
idly. This time line includes what we knew as of press time. Chancellor Rebecca Blank
On Wisconsin 25KYLE FLUBACKER PHOTOGRAPHY Kemp poses with his five gold medals. He was the first American to win three gold medals on the wrestling world stage, posting a record of 53–8 in international competition. A STORY OF 26 On Wisconsin SUM MER 2 02 0
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