News

Meet the student who took Badger Volunteers to the extreme this summer

Evan Heiderscheit had a busy summer. The UW–Madison junior was immersed in studying for the rigorous medical school admissions exams on top of holding down a job. But he also found the time to join not just one Badger Volunteer team, but an unprecedented four teams. “They just all really interested me, and I felt …

Achievement Connections now recruiting high school math tutors

An ambitious education initiative in Madison is about to start its second year and will need the help of UW–Madison students in order for the program to reach its goal. Year after year, Algebra 1 proves to be one of the most difficult classes for area high school students. And passing algebra is the single …

Morgridge Center authors lead US analysis in new UNESCO report

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has never shied away from being an international leader in community-university partnerships. A new landmark report on community-university research partnerships from the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) features a critical analysis of practices in the United States from two University of Wisconsin–Madison authors. Morgridge Center for Public Service …

Wisconsin Idea Fellow Theo Loo sends photos back from South Africa

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 …

UW alumna Jenna Bushnell: A voice for Peace Corps volunteers around the world

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 awarded 2015 Global Humanitarian Award

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. …

Graduating with a public-service spirit

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 …

Vilas Zoo welcomes new addition this summer: Badger Volunteers

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 …

UW and Morgridge Center alumnus Alan Paberzs makes public service a career

“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 …

Latino Earth Partnership inspires teachers and students in Ecuador

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 …