Alumni welcome new students at summer celebrations

University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni in 20 U.S. cities are greeting new UW students this summer to celebrate the start of the students’ college experience.

Chapters of the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) are inviting more than 4,000 incoming students to Badger Sendoff Celebrations to congratulate and support new UW students and their families.

“Students leave these celebrations with new friends they’ll see on campus, and they know they have support from alumni back home,” says WAA President and CEO Paula Bonner. “This year, our chapters are able to invite more than two-thirds of new incoming UW students to these celebrations.”

Badger Sendoff Celebrations often feature picnics or tailgate parties where alumni teach students about UW traditions, such as how to sing time-honored songs like “On Wisconsin” and “Varsity.” Incoming students can connect with fellow newcomers before classes begin, and parents are able to talk in person with other students’ families.

Upcoming Badger Sendoff Celebrations include:

• July 31: Washington, D.C.
• Aug. 3: Los Angeles; Rockford, Ill.
• Aug. 5: Boston area
• Aug. 6: Chippewa Valley, Wis.; Marshfield, Wis.
• Aug. 7: Rochester, Minn.
• Aug. 9: New York City, St. Louis
• Aug. 10: Hawaii, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Pittsburgh, West Suburban Chicago
• Aug. 13: Waukesha, Wis.
• Aug. 14: Brown County, Wis.; Chicago; Milwaukee
• Aug. 16: Detroit
• Aug. 17: Denver; Northwoods (Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Wis.)
• Aug. 19: Fond du Lac, Wis.
• Aug. 21: Connecticut

Celebrations have already been held in Dallas, Portland, Ore.; Orange County, Calif.; and San Francisco.

There are more than 100 UW alumni chapters in cities worldwide. Chapter activities include hosting alumni, students and friends at events, such as Founders’ Days and Badger game-watching parties; and raising funds for WAA’s Matching Dollar Scholarship Program.

Founded in 1861, WAA offers UW alumni and friends a wide variety of services, including the award-winning On Wisconsin Magazine, Badger Insider Magazine, career services, international travel opportunities and lifelong learning events.