Connecting Campus and Community through Community-based Service, Learning, and Research
In spring 2015, UW–Madison student Theo Loo was awarded a Wisconsin Idea Fellowship to develop a waterborne disease prevention project in Kumanzimdaka, South Africa this summer. Last week, Leo posted some incredible photos of his work as well as beautiful South Africa. Currently, 40% of South Africa’s population lives in rural areas with little access to clean water, leading …
In March 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 10924, creating the Peace Corps – an experimental initiative designed to send American volunteers abroad to provide technical assistance and gain a better understanding of other cultures. Today, nearly 220,000 Americans have served in 140 countries through the program. Among them have been more than …
John and Tashia Morgridge have been awarded the 2015 James C. Morgran Global Humanitarian Award by the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, California. The University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni join a prestigious list of former winners including Ted Turner, Bill Gates, Queen Rania Al Abdullah, of Jordan and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. …
Dana Vielmetti graduated from UW–Madison in 2011 with degrees in political science and psychology — as well as an itch to make a difference in the world. She also graduated with what she credits as a true spark in her professional life: a liberal arts education. This fall, the Mequon, Wis., native is heading back …
After finishing her first year at UW–Madison, undergraduate student Shun Zhou faced a difficult choice: return home to China or stay in Madison for the summer. She decided to stay and enroll in two intensive courses, but Zhou also wanted to do more with her time. So she followed up on something that’s always interested …
“I feel like the Morgridge Center is the place to get excited about giving back.” Alan Paberzs’ first significant brush with public service and social justice at UW–Madison was during his sophomore year on an Alternative Spring Break trip in 2001. Ever since that week spent repairing hurricane-damaged homes, he’s really never stopped living a …
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum developed the Earth Partnership program to engage learners of all ages with nature. The program trains teachers to start restoration projects on school sites, where kids can create natural habitats. It also trains them to work the subject of restoration into their curricula. A related initiative, the Latino Earth Partnership, reaches youth …
In 2013, over 1.2 million children in the United States were identified as homeless. In Wisconsin, the figure was 18,000. Research shows that homeless youth face barriers to education and are more likely to experience heath issues. The financial crisis of 2007 only worsened child poverty in the United States. While many income groups in …
Transportation has always been a significant barrier to UW–Madison student volunteer work and involvement in the Madison community. But a generous grant from the Evjue Foundation last week just made volunteering much more accessible for UW–Madison students. The incredible $11,000 gift will help students in the Badger Volunteers program access volunteer sites throughout the city via bicycle, car share …
Students in Nutritional Sciences 421 (Lead, algae and trash, oh my!) spent their first week of summer break traveling around Madison, Milwaukee and Wisconsin learning about local environmental hazards. The trip served as a field experience for the Global Health certificate and was a collaboration between the Global Health Institute and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. …