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Author: Nathan Steagall

Closures Contributed to Deep Cuts in April

Posted on
Inside HigherEd

Officials at the public flagship said in a recent court filing that the university may have to lay off up to 160 employees if it doesn’t get clarity on federal funding in the near future, The Cap Times reported.

At issue is an effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to impose conditions on financial disbursements. USDA has asked states to agree to conditions to continue receiving funding, including ensuring federal money won’t be used to “promote gender ideology” or diversity, equity and inclusion practices. In March, 21 states sued the USDA over the preconditions; though UW Madison is not a plaintiff, the state of Wisconsin is.

UW MedFlight to conduct training landing at Iowa County Sheriff’s Office

Posted on
Channel 3000

UW MedFlight is scheduled to land at the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday evening as part of a training event.

The sheriff’s office said the training will occur at approximately 7 p.m.

Iowa County Emergency Services will be training with the UW MedFlight team on landing zone safety.

“For everyone’s safety, anyone wishing to watch should not park in our parking lot or along the roadway. Please use adjacent parking lots and remain a safe distance away,” Sheriff Michael Peterson said in a statement.

Maria Woldt named director of Dairy Innovation Hub

Posted on
WTAQ
On June 1, Maria Woldt will become the third director of the Dairy Innovation Hub, a state-funded initiative that brings together scientists, farmers, businesses, and educators to explore new ideas to ensure Wisconsin’s $52.8 billion dairy sector remains globally competitive while advancing economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

UW-Madison plans pay raises for 548 faculty in high-demand fields By Becky Jacobs

Posted on
The Cap Times

Nearly 550 faculty members at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are set to receive pay raises this month as part of efforts to attract and retain faculty in high-demand fields of study.

State lawmakers provided $27 million annually and created an annual appropriation to the UW system in the current state budget for the compensation. Over 2,300 faculty members across the state’s 13 public universities are receiving raises through the funding, said Mark Pitsch, a UW system spokesperson.

No Mow May, is letting your grass grow in May worth it to help pollinators?

Posted on
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Mid-May is the perfect time to start a pollinator garden in Wisconsin. But could someone just not mow their lawn for an entire month and reap similar benefits? That depends.

No Mow May is pitched as a way to let yards grow out and help pollinators. Manicured lawns provide little food or resting spots for bees, butterflies and other insects. These pollinators need vegetation to feed on and find a safe spot to nest.

Is global warming impacting bird migration?

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Question: Is global warming impacting bird migration?

Answer: Global warming refers to the rise in global temperatures due to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. One impact is that northern latitudes are experiencing warmer mean annual temperatures and experiencing earlier springs, milder winters and delayed falls.

Opinion: How to fill 3 big university jobs in Madison | Our View

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

The chancellor is leaving.

The president got fired.

The athletic director jumped before he could be pushed.

That’s a lot of turnover at the top for UW-Madison and the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin. It’s also an opportunity to reset priorities for higher education in Madison and across the state. The Regents and others who will help fill these jobs need to get this right.

Groundbreaking advancements in pancreatic cancer treatment excite UW Health doctor

Posted on
ABC 27

In recent weeks, researchers have announced several breakthroughs in treatment for pancreatic cancer. Researchers in New York shared results of a small study with promising signs for mRNA vaccines, and scientists shared research on ways to target and block the KRAS protein.

“For the first time, we have a phase two trial that has told us that we can help patients live longer when we block this protein,” UW Health medical oncologist Dr. Jeremy Kratz told 27 News anchor Caroline Dade.

‘An enormous privilege and opportunity’: UW Carbone Cancer Center’s new director talks goals for statewide cancer care

Posted on
NBC 15

Pediatric oncologist and researcher Dr. Christian Capitini was named the new director of the UW Carbone Cancer Center.

Capitini said the new role is both a personal milestone and a statewide promise.

“This was the biggest honor of my career… to be able to serve everyone in the state through this leadership role is just an enormous privilege and opportunity,” Capitini said.

MadHatters final performance of the spring happening this Friday

Posted on
NBC 15

he MadHatters, an a cappella group at UW-Madison, will be performing their final show of the spring semester on Friday, May 1.

The group consists of 14 performers, using just their voices to sing and dance for performances.

“We really try and bring the energy so the crowd can feed off of that, and it can be this really fun night,” Kevin McNeil said. “Everybody just has fun, even apart from all the music, we’ve got some video skits with a little bit of dancing in there. We make our fair share of jokes, and we just really try to make sure everyone has a good time.”

UW system launches search for UW-Madison’s next chancellor

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

The Universities of Wisconsin has launched a national search to identify UW-Madison’s next chancellor.

Acting UW system head Chris Patton and UW Board of Regents President Amy Bogost appointed a group of 23 faculty, staff, students and people from the Madison area to identify UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin’s successor.

UW-Madison police remove firearms to enhance campus safety

Posted on
Channel 3000

The UW-Madison Police Department said that officers have removed several firearms “from situations that posed a potential risk to [their] campus and the surrounding community.”

The announcement came Tuesday afternoon, detailing cases involving individuals not affiliated with the university. These incidents included a range of violations, from going armed while intoxicated to prohibited possession.

UW-Madison students unveiling Madison Public Market website redesign

Posted on
Channel 3000

UX Club at UW-Madison is hosting its final showcase for a redesign project in partnership with the Madison Public Market on Thursday.

Over the course of six workshops, students  conducted UX research, developed personas, built wireframes, and produced a fully interactive prototype for what will become Madison Public Market’s primary launch website.

Madison drivers paying over $4 at the pump amid Iran war

Posted on
NBC 15

Many Madison drivers are paying more than $4 at the pump and say they are feeling the impact.

Average gas prices have increased more than a dollar since the U.S. and Israel first attacked Iran two months ago.

Jon Pevehouse, a political science professor at UW-Madison explained why prices are on the rise.

“In large part because Iran is a central producer, as are the countries around Iran, are central producers of oil, which of course goes into gas,” Pevehouse said.

UW-Madison research leader is among science advisers Trump dismissed

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

President Donald Trump’s dismissal on Friday of the independent board that advises the National Science Foundation included UW-Madison’s top research leader.

Vice Chancellor for Research Dorota Grejner-Brzezińska was one of the 22 current members on the board that advises Congress and the president on the National Science Foundation’s operations. President Joe Biden appointed her in 2023 when she was working at Ohio State University.

UW-Madison warns in court filing that 160 employees may be laid off

Posted on
The Cap Times

If University of Wisconsin-Madison administrators don’t get more clarity on new federal funding rules soon, the university’s Division of Extension may lay off up to 160 employees.

Vice Chancellor Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska, who oversees UW-Madison’s $1.93 billion research operation, recently outlined that concern in a court declaration filed as part of a broader lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

UW-Madison Odyssey Project ready to see another class graduate

Posted on
NBC 15

The UW-Madison Odyssey Project works to break the cycle of generational poverty through access to education.

The project has impacted two students who are about to graduate with goals of attending college.

For Lilibeth Sobrevilla, the mother of three emphasized the support she received from the project to help her educational goals.

UW-Madison names founding dean of College of Computing and AI

Posted on
Channel 3000

UW-Madison named Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau as founding dean of the College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence as the school prepares to launch the new college on July 1.

Approved in December by the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents, the college is the first academic division created at UW-Madison in more than 40 years.

University Of Wisconsin receives $100 million for its new AI college

Posted on
Yahoo News/University Business

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has received $100 million in private gift commitments for its new College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence, which is set to launch on July 1, 2026.

The donations come from what’s referred to as the Catalyst Collective — a group of alumni, business leaders and corporate partners who have pledged major investments in the college. The alumni donors include Andy Konwinski, cofounder of Laude, Databricks and Perplexity AI; John Morgridge, former chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems, and Tashia Morgridge, a retired special education teacher; Signe Ostby, a former marketing executive; and Jeff Tangney, cofounder and CEO of Doximity. The contributors also include Scott Cook, co-founder of Intuit; and Epic, a software company based in Verona, Wisconsin.

Her island has no hospital. So she chose to go to medical school.

Posted on
The Cap Times

Yihana Melendez Alejandro decided at age 7 she wanted to be a doctor.

Alejandro, now a first-year medical student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is from Vieques, an island eight miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico. Vieques has no hospital and had only one small primary care clinic that was destroyed by Hurricane Maria in 2017 and has yet to reopen. For Alejandro, this served as inspiration to pursue medical school.

University Of Wisconsin Receives $100 Million For Its New AI College

Posted on
Forbes

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has received $100 million in private gift commitments for its new College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence, which is set to launch on July 1, 2026.

The donations come from what’s referred to as the Catalyst Collective — a group of alumni, business leaders and corporate partners who have pledged major investments in the college. The alumni donors include Andy Konwinski, cofounder of Laude, Databricks and Perplexity AI; John Morgridge, former chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems, and Tashia Morgridge, a retired special education teacher; Signe Ostby, a former marketing executive; and Jeff Tangney, cofounder and CEO of Doximity. The contributors also include Scott Cook, co-founder of Intuit; and Epic, a software company based in Verona, Wisconsin.

UW-Madison announces $100 million gift, dean for new AI college

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

UW-Madison on Monday announced a $100 million donation and dean for the College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence that will hold its first classes next fall.

The investment comes from a group of alumni and industry leaders and is intended to help swiftly recruit and hire 50 new faculty, expand research and build programs for the college, which opens July 1.

UW–Madison’s reach throughout Wisconsin adds up to $38.9 billion a year

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s core mission has long held that the work of the university should benefit the entire state. A newly released study now quantifies that commitment, estimating that the university, its affiliated organizations and the startup companies it generates contribute $38.9 billion annually to Wisconsin’s economy.

Mifflin Street Block Party returns to Madison with record turnout

Posted on
Channel 3000

The Mifflin Street Block Party is back in Madison this Saturday, and students showed up in numbers.

To celebrate the week before finals, Badgers at UW-Madison brought their party outdoors, spawning a sea of red across Mifflin Street.

Police at the event said this year’s record turnout is thanks to clear skies and sunshine.

According to Ethan Hafenbredl, it’s giving students the community boost they need to finish out their school year.

16-year-old UW student organizing fundraiser to fight celiac disease, which she’s lived with her whole life

Posted on
Madison365

Kimaya Soin was diagnosed with celiac disease at age 4, but it took some pushing from her mother.

“My doctors actually weren’t really going to check me for it, so it wasn’t on their radars,” Soin said. “My mom had to research my symptoms. She looked them up, and based on the symptoms I had, it was either likely celiac disease or leukemia, and she had never heard of celiac disease, like most people haven’t.”

Who could replace Chris McIntosh as Wisconsin’s AD? 7 possible options

Posted on
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Wisconsin Badgers are in a relatively rare position.

For just the third time in more than three decades, UW will be hiring a new athletic director.

Chris McIntosh left earlier in April to take a new position with the Big Ten as its deputy commissioner for strategy. Marcus Sedberry will serve as interim athletic director during the national search.

Madison officers hurt while breaking up State Street fight, managing busy weekend downtown

Posted on
NBC 15

One Madison police officer was hurt and another was taken to the hospital after trying to break up a fight on State Street following a busy weekend of events.

The Mifflin Street Block Party brought thousands together Saturday, with crowds later migrating to State Street. Students said State Street had more people than usual, with lines around buildings and the roadway filled with people dressed in Badger gear.

UW-Madison’s new provost rejects reactive response to threats, challenges

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Around framed photos of his dogs and Badger merchandise, a paper name plate on John Zumbrunnen’s desk in Bascom Hall at UW-Madison has the word “interim” crossed out with a pen.

After nine months as interim provost, Zumbrunnen secured his role as the university’s chief academic officer and second-ranking official after a national search this winter. As provost, he oversees academic programs and budget planning.

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research to change its organizational structure, better support research

Posted on
The Badger Herald

The University of Wisconsin Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research announced April 21 that it is planning to change its organizational structure, according to UW News.

“The efforts include a proposed reorganization intended to better support the research and scholarly mission of UW–Madison and grow the research enterprise and creative expression across arts and humanities, biological sciences, physical sciences and social sciences,” according to UW News.

Dane County Board ends Flock cameras contract, citing privacy alarms

Posted on
The Cap Times

Law enforcement agencies in Dane County have been using AI-enhanced cameras to help investigate crimes over the past few years, but the Sheriff’s Office must now shift its strategy following a County Board vote.

The board removed $80,000 in funding from the sheriff’s budget for Flock Safety cameras, following concerns over the Atlanta-based company and how local law enforcement use surveillance software. The sheriff had contracted with Flock years ago for two dozen automatic license plate readers, which are scattered around the county.

Wisconsin researchers excited about psychedelic drug order but worry about high costs, therapist shortage

Posted on
ABC 27

UW-Madison researchers are celebrating a new executive order from President Donald Trump that expedites FDA approval for psychedelic treatments for conditions like depression and PTSD.

Paul Hutson from UW-Madison School of Pharmacy, who has studied psychedelics for mental health for years, says the new executive order will not only expedite FDA approvals but may help secure state funding for their research.

Anjon Audhya assumes inaugural role of vice dean for research

Posted on
WisPolitics

Anjon Audhya, PhD, will become the inaugural vice dean for research for the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health effective April 19. The role serves as the chief research officer for the school, charged with articulating the goals and vision of the school’s research enterprise to major stakeholder groups and planning for the long-term success and global impact of research activities.

Cardinal Call: Interim dean announced

Posted on
The Daily Cardinal

Ellie Huber sat down with staff writer Henry Matson to discuss longtime UW-Madison faculty member Kristin Eschenfelder’s appointment as L&S dean amid broader leadership changes. In other campus news, student Democrats and Republicans debate foreign policy, free speech and political polarization, and Memorial Union’s sunburst chairs are back on the terrace.

Cardinal View: UW’s leadership turnover is an opportunity to reevaluate value

Posted on
The Daily Cardinal

The University of Wisconsin System has undergone a striking series of leadership changes over the past few months. In February, University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin announced her departure for Columbia University. A couple weeks ago, the Regents terminated President Jay Rothman, and most recently, Athletic Director Chris McIntosh announced his exit.

UW retains top Peace Corps rankings

Posted on
The Daily Cardinal

The University of Wisconsin-Madison ranked first on the Peace Corps’ 2026 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities list, according to an April 7 Peace Corps press release.

The university also ranked first in 2025 and sustained its second place ranking for all-time volunteer-producing institution

UW-Madison fashion show ‘Becoming’ celebrates personal evolution

Posted on
The Cap Times

College freshman Nandini Aluri spent a month “all day and all night” painting dozens of designs — a digital camera, the University of Wisconsin-Madison crest, an intricate design in the style of henna — on a matching set of brown corduroy pants and jacket.

She designed this wearable suit for “Becoming,” a fashion show hosted by The Vault. The Vault is a student organization at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that focuses on fashion, from design to marketing to business operations.

Crazylegs Classic to close multiple streets, detour buses in Madison

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Several Downtown and UW-Madison campus-area streets will be closed for a time on Saturday to make way for the annual UW Athletics fundraiser known as the Crazylegs Classic.

More than 9,000 people are expected to participate in the event’s 8K wheelchair race, 8K run or 2-mile walk, with the wheelchair race starting at 9:50 a.m., the run at 10 a.m. and the walk at 10:20 a.m.

This UW-Madison alum says his ‘Tinder’ swipe-style app will fix student renters’ headaches

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

During his four years at UW-Madison, student Harshet Anand repeated the “painful” and competitive search for housing in Madison with his roommates.

“We’d bounce between Zillow, Apartments.com, Facebook groups, texts from anyone that was older than us,” said Anand, a computer and data science major who graduated in spring 2025. “We’d spend hours and hours comparing listings, waiting days for property managers to respond to emails, scheduling tours around sometimes midterms.”

Madison girds for Mifflin Street Block Party

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

The police are assigned and the balconies inspected. All that’s left — as much as city leaders might wish otherwise — is for the drinking to begin.

With the Mifflin Street Block Party scheduled for Saturday, Madison officials on Wednesday laid out a series of warnings and plans pertaining to the annual and unsanctioned bacchanalia that traditionally occurs near the end of the UW-Madison spring semester.

Wisconsin interim athletic director role comes with pay raise for Marcus Sedberry

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Marcus Sedberry is getting a pay raise to serve as interim athletic director at the University of Wisconsin.

Sedberry will have an annual base salary of $875,000 for the temporary role, according to an offer letter from UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin dated April 12. That was the same day Chris McIntosh submitted a resignation letteras he left the school to take a job as deputy commissioner of strategy at the Big Ten Conference.

Indian-American author delivers UW keynote APIDA Heritage Month speech

Posted on
The Daily Cardinal

Author Sarah Thankam Mathews spoke about her relationship with writing and her experience immigrating to the U.S. last Thursday as part of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month keynote speech.

Mathews is a University of Wisconsin-Madison alum who published her debut novel, “All This Could Be Different,” in 2022. The book follows a young woman in Milwaukee in 2008 as she navigates relationships and employment during the Great Recession.

Wisconsin Union to move forward on renovation to Hoofers’ Lake Lab

Posted on
The Badger Herald

The Wisconsin Hoofers are getting a new expansion, as the University of Wisconsin plans a $2.7 million renovation to the club’s lake lab, according to Isthmus. The renovation to the lake lab, which is located off the Memorial Union shoreline, would include additional storage for the Hoofers’ sailing facility, an expanded rooftop, and a ramp compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, according to Isthmus.

UWPD renews call for information in 1982 death of UW-Madison student

Posted on
Channel 3000

The UW-Madison Police Department is renewing call for information in the 1982 death of UW-Madison student Donna Mraz.

In the early morning hours of July 2, 1982  just days before the July 4 holiday Mraz was walking home from her shift at The Bittersweet restaurant on State Street. While on a sidewalk behind Camp Randall Stadium, she was stabbed repeatedly by an unknown offender with an unknown motivation.

University of Wisconsin scientist accused of trying to poison lab colleague who got promotion

Posted on
NBC News

A University of Wisconsin lab worker upset about his colleague’s behavior and promotion allegedly confessed to poisoning the co-worker’s water bottle.

Makoto Kuroda, 41, was charged with recklessly endangering safety and tampering with a household product “with the intent to kill, injure or otherwise endanger the health” of another person, according to a criminal complaint filed in Dane County last week.

After 4,000 patients and 34 years, UW Health Med Flight doctor calls it a career

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Mike Abernethy had an unexpected meeting with a former patient in 2020 — one he’ll never forget.

It was after a shift in the emergency department. He was checking out with groceries at Walmart when a man approached him and asked, “Are you Dr. Abernethy?”

Abernethy had no recollection of the man until he unzipped his jacket and revealed a large scar.