Alumni association launches new service for families

In yet another expansion of the “uwalumni.community,” the Wisconsin Alumni Association introduces a family Web page that connects alumni and their families to the university.

Now, parents and others looking for ways to educate and entertain their children can log on to find ideas for family fun. Everything from travel opportunities, to relevant campus and world news, to journals and stories written by children are included in this extensive online resource.

“We realized we were already doing so much for families, but didn’t have all of those activities listed in one place,” says Paula Bonner, president and CEO of WAA. “This new page will give alumni and their extended families a means to participate in timeless campus traditions while connecting with the UW and each other.”

For example, many alumni have fond memories of Homecoming, but they don’t think about activities such as the Homecoming parade or fireworks display as perfect opportunities to return to campus with their families.

“Events like these are well-attended and enjoyed by people of all ages,” Bonner says. “And most of them are free.”

In addition, Bonner says many alumni familiar with WAA’s travel program are unaware of opportunities to travel with their families.

“We recently concluded a family tour in the Swiss Alps and are planning a Dino Dig in the red rocks of Colorado for next summer,” says Bonner. “The opportunity for parents and their children to combine education with unique travel destinations is really priceless.”

Interactivity is another important component of the new site, which offers families multiple opportunities to submit stories, photos and ideas for events.

The popular “Badger Baby” feature of WAA’s Web site has been expanded to include a gallery of alumni children sporting red and white.

UW alumni parents and friends are encouraged to join the uwalumni.community by bookmarking the site in their browsers and viewing it often.

The Wisconsin Alumni Association has been serving UW–Madison and its graduates since 1861. WAA provides an array of services to connect alumni to the UW, enrich their lives and serve their many needs. Services include the quarterly On Wisconsin alumni magazine, international educational travel programs, career resources and student-related programming.