For the past 166 years, UW-Madison alumni have celebrated Feb. 5 as Founders’ Day to commemorate the first class held in 1849 and honor the university’s history.
Wisconsin Alumni Association Vice President of Alumni Relations and Engagement Jeff Wendorf said taking time to observe the past can help students recognize their own potential.
“It’s important to know your history and to realize that from some very humble beginnings, something great can happen,” Wendorf said. “We all possess the ability to make change and have an impact around the world.”
This year, the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board took over the celebration, adding on-campus events throughout the day to make Founders’ Day bigger than ever before, Kristen Grilli, UW-Madison junior and WASB’s campus and community outreach director, said.
The day began with WASB members and alumni handing out birthday cake at various campus buildings and a scavenger hunt that challenged students to find Bucky and post photos to social media sites. Events wrapped up with UW-themed trivia at Gordon Dining and Event Center.
Grilli said she and other WASB members have been planning the day since September, when they started brainstorming events to bring students and alumni together.
She said her favorite part of Founders’ Day this year was hearing students’ reactions, including the notion that the celebration came at the perfect time.
“With all of the budget cuts happening and all of the negativity on campus, it really brings a nice positive light to campus,” Grilli quoted a student as saying.
Wendorf also thought Founders’ Day complemented recent campus controversy by bringing together alumni with current students.
“Our university remains strong with a strong alumni base that continues to support the university and one another,” Wendorf said.
