More than 10,000 Madison-area college students will receive degrees this weekend over a two-day span starting Friday.
Thousands will graduate from UW-Madison, Edgewood and Madison College this weekend
Wisconsin State Journal
May 12, 2023
Top Stories
Internet-famous for Irish dancing, Mary Papageorge is about to grab a new title: UW-Madison alum
Wisconsin State Journal
Mary Papageorge is a testament to putting her classroom learning to use. As one of the 70% of UW-Madison students who have a job offer in hand by the time they don their caps and gowns for commencement, Papageorge will take what she learned in class and on her portable Irish dance platform to improve consumer relationships.
Research
Over 30 million birds will land in Wisconsin beginning Friday; here’s what to know
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Bird expert and University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Stanley Temple said most of the birds that will make Wisconsin home on Friday were in Missouri or Arkansas on Thursday afternoon.
“There are so many factors that go into predicting where they will land, like wind and route, but it’s very likely they will be in Wisconsin by Friday morning,” Temple said.
Money available for nonprofits to address maternal and infant health disparities
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health has money to give away. Now it needs applicants.
The school is inviting nonprofit health organizations to apply for grants “to provide better care and address root causes of maternal and infant health disparities.” Awards will be made for a maximum of $1.15 million for up to two years. Applicants must propose working with community partners.
Higher Education/System
UW to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion statements for job applicants as Vos threatens funding cuts
Wisconsin Public Radio
The University of Wisconsin will no longer require diversity, equity and inclusion statements from job applicants, UW System President Jay Rothman announced Thursday.
The move comes after Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has threatened to cut state funding to Wisconsin’s public universities. Specifically, Vos has criticized DEI programming at UW as an attempt to “indoctrinate” students with taxpayer dollars.
UW System eliminates diversity statements from hiring process. Here’s the latest on the campus DEI debate.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The University of Wisconsin System will no longer ask job applicants to sign statements about their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campuses in an effort to depoliticize the hiring process.
UW System president bans mandatory diversity statements in hiring
The Capital Times
In an Assembly committee hearing focused on concerns about free speech on campuses, Rothman said diversity statements could be perceived as political or ask an applicant to agree with a particular viewpoint. He told chancellors in a Wednesday letter to eliminate the requirement of such statements by June 30.
Campus life
UW-Madison to celebrate spring commencement this weekend
WKOW-TV 27
There will be two ceremonies, one at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Kohl Center and another at noon Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.
Everything you need to know about this year’s UW-Madison commencement ceremonies
WISC-TV 3
UW-Madison’s spring commencement ceremonies are this weekend, bringing thousands of people to downtown Madison. Even if you aren’t among the people celebrating a graduation this weekend, there are still some things to know when it comes to travel and congestion downtown.
State news
Buildings continue to rise in Milwaukee while its finances dry up. What explains a tale of 2 cities?
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The potential Milwaukee and Milwaukee County sales taxes that could be implemented under the Assembly bill would not be without consequences, said Andrew Reschovsky, professor emeritus of public affairs and applied economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“You don’t pay attention if you have plenty of money,” he said of the increased prices that come with a sales tax. “But if you’re having trouble getting through the month, those extra pennies can make a big difference.”
Arts & Humanities
Understanding the Writers Guild of America strike and its impact
Wisconsin Public Radio
We talk with Michael Childers, a professor in the UW-Madison School for Workers and Department of Labor Education, and an entertainment reporter about the latest in the second week of a massive Hollywood writers strike.
UW alum headed to Cannes Film Festival in France
NBC-15
Hans Obma credits his time at UW-Madison where he took theater classes and studied Spanish, French and German which, he says, is why he usually plays foreign characters in films. That includes the one he created that will be played in Cannes.
Health
Covid Public Health Emergency ends: What is free and what will you pay for now
TMJ4
“During the pandemic almost everything Covid related, whether it was vaccines or testing or treatment was all covered by the government. Basically, it was all subsidized that starts to go away. Now, what’s covered depends on who your insurer is, or if you have insurance,” said Dr. Jeff Pothof, chief quality officer at UW Health.
‘You’ll always be a mother’: Navigating Mother’s Day after loss
CBS 58
UW Health psychologist Dr. Shilagh Mirgain said Mother’s Day can be an emotional trigger for many.
“Almost in anyone’s life, there are going to be years where Mother’s Day is really challenging,” Mirgain said.
UW Health expert gives advice on how to cope with a challenging Mother’s Day
WKOW-TV 27
Shilagh Mirgain, a health psychologist for UW Health, says reframing how you view the day may help you still enjoy it and work through those hard feelings.
“Reframing the focus of this holiday can be an effective way to celebrate all the positive attributes of motherhood you may not have experienced yourself as a child or missed out on as an adult,” she said.
Athletics
Mike Lucas, who has covered Wisconsin athletics for more than 50 years, is retiring
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Mike Lucas, who covered University of Wisconsin athletics in a variety of formats for more than 50 years, is retiring.
Wisconsin’s longtime football and men’s basketball radio team is breaking up
Wisconsin State Journal
University of Wisconsin football and men’s basketball radio broadcasts will sound different next season.
Opinion
Racist video is a teachable moment — Masood Akhtar
Wisconsin State Journal
Letter to the editor: People are not born with hate. They are taught to hate. To counteract this, we should be teaching compassion and empathy through engagement and education. We need to get out of our silos and open our ears and hearts for one another. We must unite to fight our true enemies — fear, anger and hate.
UW-Madison Related
‘It’s never too late’: 54-year-old former musician graduates from UW School of Medicine and Public Health
WISC-TV 3
At 46 years old, Eich decided to go back to school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to become a physician’s assistant.