W-Madison has named John Zumbrunnen provost after he’s served in the interim role since June, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin announced Monday.
UW-Madison picks interim provost as permanent second-in-command
Wisconsin State Journal
Category: Campus life
How UW-Madison’s WSUM became the best campus radio station in the country
Wisconsin State Journal
On Feb. 21, the station took home one of the highest awards in college journalism: the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System named WSUM the best college station in the nation.
Kelsey Brannan, the director of student radio at WSUM — one of the station’s two full-time employees — said WSUM’s students provide listeners with authentic shows and music that aren’t replicated on other stations or streaming services.
“You’re hearing students bring in music that you’re not hearing anywhere else,” Brannan said. “They’re telling news stories from their perspective that you’re not getting from the national news or even local outlets — it’s a really unique perspective. You’re hearing sportscasters who are students who are calling the games that their peers are participating in. There’s something really special about that.”
Student groups, local bands unite for house show fundraiser for Sudan
The Daily Cardinal
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter, with help from the Madison Anarchist League chapter and several local bands, organized a fundraiser for Sudan at the Mousetrap on Feb. 28.
Current District 8 alder, UW College Democrats endorse candidate Ellen Zhang
The Daily Cardinal
Current District 8 Alder MGR Govindarajan, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison College Democrats, endorsed sophomore candidate Ellen Zhang in the upcoming Madison Common Council election on Thursday, citing her understanding of city government and ability to build relationships within local leadership.
Zumbrunnen named provost after interim stint
The Daily Cardinal
Interim Provost John Zumbrunnen has been selected to hold the role of provost permanently, beating out finalists Anna Stenport (the University of Georgia) and Charles Martinez Jr. (the University of Texas-Austin), the University of Wisconsin-Madison announced Monday.
John Zumbrunnen appointed as next UW–Madison provost
WKOW - Channel 27
John Zumbrunnen has been appointed as the provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin announced. The position is the second to the chancellor UW, managing all academic program and budget planning.
UW-Madison provost named executive vice chancellor for academic affairs
Channel 3000
John Zumbrunnen, who has served as interim provost for UW-Madison since June 2025, saw that interim tag removed Monday. He was also named the school’s executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin announced.
Interim leader named as UW-Madison provost
Wisconsin Public Radio
John Zumbrunnen has been named the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin announced Monday.
Mount Mary offers a 3-year bachelor’s degree. Universities of Wisconsin could follow.
Wisconsin Public Radio
This year, Mount Mary University became the first college in Wisconsin to offer a reduced-credit bachelor’s degree.
The Universities of Wisconsin could soon follow.
Last week, the Board of Regents Education Committee unanimously approved revising a policy that would allow campuses to offer 90-credit degrees.
The approval on March 5 did not yet establish three-year degrees.
A critique of the new UW-Madison faculty survey
Inside Higher Ed
A new report by Alex Tahk, director of the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, reveals the results of an important survey of UW Madison faculty. But there are serious problems with the survey questions, and we need to be careful not to adopt Tahk’s claims about “ideological imbalance and its consequences” uncritically.
UW Athletic Hall of Fame has a new home
The Daily Cardinal
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Athletic Hall of Fame will have a new, permanent home outside of the Kohl Center, according to a UW Athletics press release. Construction is set to begin early spring and be completed in time for the 2026 Hall class next September.
UW-Madison faculty pressure leaders to remove on-campus Flock AI cameras
Wisconsin State Journal
A group of UW-Madison faculty and staff is putting pressure on campus police to remove AI-powered license plate-reading surveillance cameras.
UW-Madison installed eight cameras in July 2025 from the Atlanta-based company, Flock Safety. The company operates a network of automated cameras that monitor 24/7 and capture images of the rear of passing cars.
New professorship recognizes Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy
Madison Magazine
Anna Andrzejewski, an art historian who arrived at UW–Madison in the early 2000s, is the first holder of the Wright professorship, which was inaugurated on July 1, 2025.
Andrzejewski has taught a course on Wright’s architecture and writings since 2016. The endowed professorship — which she calls “utterly transformative and inspiring” — will enhance and expand Andrzejewski’s Wright-related teaching and research while supporting student field trips to Wright-designed buildings in the region.
Book Review: ‘The Opinionated University’
Inside Higher Ed
“As I argue in a new essay for Inquisitive magazine, institutional neutrality as originally formulated by the University of Wisconsin in 1894 is a concept that protects academic freedom by prohibiting colleges from punishing or condemning faculty for their political views. The issue of affirmative institutional statements is a much later, and more minor, concern. But when a university condemns certain political stands, it inevitably creates the danger of suppressing those ideas.”
“Universities ought to return to the 1894 University of Wisconsin approach to the opinionated university, where academic freedom is so important that even denouncing a professor violates standards of neutrality. But when the concept of institutional neutrality is abused by politicians and administrators to silence faculty, then it becomes a cure worse than the disease. Soucek’s book recognizes these dangers and provides a thoughtful approach to trying to address the problems inherent in the inevitable opinions of a university.”
UW junior launches interactive geopolitical intelligence site tracking risk across 198 countries
The Badger Herald
University of Wisconsin junior Noah Warren studies political science with a special interest in geopolitics. But, Warren said he became frustrated when he found no free platform displaying a picture of politics across the globe — so he built one.
UW requires students to report vaccination records
The Badger Herald
As of Thursday, Feb. 12, a new University of Wisconsin policy requires its students to share their vaccination status amidst the recent measles outbreak.
Despite some confusion, according to Jake Baggott, Associate Vice Chancellor & Executive Director of University Health Services, students are not required to be vaccinated but rather obligated to share their status for specific vaccinations, such as Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Varicella (Chicken Pox), Hepatitis B and more, according to the UHS Vaccination Records website.
UW announces creation of guide for federal agent encounters
The Badger Herald
The University of Wisconsin announced Mar. 4 that it created a web page with expanded information and guidance should students or employees encounter someone representing a federal agency in campus facilities or workspaces, according to UW News.
Eight student staff, 2,500 mouths to feed: The Open Seat Food Pantry’s campaign for help
The Badger Herald
The Open Seat food pantry, located in the UW Student Activity Center, provides food and hygiene products to students experiencing food insecurity. Open to all UW–Madison students without income verification, the pantry aims to remove barriers to basic needs so students can focus on academics instead of worrying about their next meal.
Now, the eight part-time student employees who operate the pantry are calling on Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor to fund a full-time, permanent staff position dedicated solely to pantry operations. Student organizers say the current model — in which students manage every aspect of a large-scale food distribution program — is no longer sustainable.
UW-Madison students studying abroad in Middle East relocated
WKOW - Channel 27
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is addressing the impact of the ongoing conflict in Iran and the broader Middle East. Students who are studying abroad in the region are being moved to new locations, where the university says they will continue their programs. Their plan aims to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff.
“The situation is evolving rapidly, and we are closely following developments,” said Fran Vavrus, vice provost and dean of the International Division. Vavrus emphasized the university’s commitment to connecting with both international students in Madison and those studying abroad.
Student group repurposes gently used items during dorm move-out
The Daily Cardinal
When University of Wisconsin-Madison juniors Amelia Wozniak and Kaleb Roessler worked for a moving company last spring, they were shocked by the amount of housing items that were thrown away in good condition. That observation led them to create Badger Reclaim, an organization dedicated to helping other UW-Madison students by recycling and distributing gently used items to those in need.
UW-Madison wins big in blood donation competition
WKOW - Channel 27
Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin called the win “exciting” and highlighted the importance of the partnership in saving lives.
“The Badgers contributed more than 15,400 donations over the course of the competition,” Mnookin said. “That included our students, alumni, community members, anybody who went and donated.”
Wisconsin Badgers announce homecoming football game date
WMTV - Channel 15
On Wisconsin! University of Wisconsin-Madison announced the date of this year’s homecoming game on Tuesday. (video)
What UW-Madison provost finalists say they’ll bring to campus
The Cap Times
Three candidates vying to become the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s next provost recently outlined their visions for how to address the university’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
UW-Madison’s third provost finalist says he’s always had a Wisconsin Idea mindset
Wisconsin State Journal
harles Martinez, a dean at the University of Texas at Austin, says he’s the right person to guide UW-Madison through the upcoming search for the university’s next chancellor.
Student activist groups reflect on Black Panther Party legacy
The Daily Cardinal
The Blk Pwr Coalition and non-profit organization Leaders Igniting Transformation reflected on the Black Panther Party’s historical activism and current political challenges at an event Wednesday at the Multicultural Student Center.
Provost finalists make their cases for the role
The Daily Cardinal
The three finalists for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s second-highest academic position — the provost — presented their visions for the role and the future of campus to an audience of faculty, staff and students alike last week.
Black Power Coalition meets to discuss significance of Black Panther Movement
The Badger Herald
The University of Wisconsin’s Blk Pwr Coalition held an event in collaboration with the Leaders Igniting Transformation club Wednesday to talk about the history of the Black Power Movement.
No need for more UW-Madison dorms, development groups say
Wisconsin State Journal
A few years after a frenzied off-campus housing search saw UW-Madison students camping overnight to secure apartments, groups representing Madison-area developers and property management companies say there is enough housing for all undergraduates near campus and no need for the university to build another dorm.
UWPD defends Flock camera usage at University Committee meeting
The Daily Cardinal
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department’s Chief of Police Brent Plisch spoke with University Committee members Monday about the presence of eight Flock Safety cameras on campus, addressing their privacy concerns.
Who are UW-Madison’s three provost finalists?
The Daily Cardinal
After a nine-month search to replace the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s second-highest academic official, three finalists — Anna Stenport, John Zumbrunnen and Charles Martinez Jr. — are presenting their visions for the future of campus this week.
BadgerEMS gains student government support for student-led EMS program
The Daily Cardinal
All-Campus Leadership Conference set to return to UW
The Badger Herald
The All–Campus Leadership Conference returns this year for an event with several professional and networking opportunities along with leadership skill building.
Spark students learn civic engagement starts now
Wisconsin State Journal
As a group of University of Wisconsin–Madison students made their way from campus to the Madison Municipal Building earlier this month, they walked on sidewalks, crossed downtown streets and rode the bus.
Longtime CEO of Morgridge Institute for Research at UW-Madison to retire
Wisconsin State Journal
The Morgridge Institute for Research’s leader, Brad Schwartz, is retiring after more than a decade, the UW-Madison-based nonprofit announced Tuesday.
The Morgridge Institute is a private biomedical research hub housed in the taxpayer-supported Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery.
While serving as CEO for 13 years, Schwartz expanded its research footprint in partnership with UW-Madison and recruited top scientists.
Badger Challenge to host gala ball supporting cancer research at UW-Madison
WKOW - Channel 27
The Badger Challenge is launching a new event to raise funds for cancer research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The 2026 Badger Challenge Ball will bring together survivors, supporters, researchers, and community partners for a formal dinner, reception, and auction at The Edgewater. Set against the lakefront backdrop, the evening aims to celebrate hope while directly supporting life-changing cancer research.
’How is love the solution?’: Black History Month keynote speaker leads ‘Black love’ workshop
The Daily Cardinal
Award-winning writer, healing justice practitioner and yogi Yolo Akili Robinson hosted Black Love as A Practice: A WorkShop to Help us Embody The Love We Desire Wednesday night, an event planned by the Black History Month Planning Committee (BHMPC) and the Black Cultural Center (BCC) where students rethought Black love not just as a feeling, but as a practice and a behavior.
Throwback photos: Take a look back at the creation of UW-Madison’s Kohl Center
Wisconsin State Journal
Fans are used to seeing basketball and hockey games at the Kohl Center, but that was only made possible after a large donation and lengthy construction project. On Jan. 17, 1998, the Wisconsin Badgers hosted Northwestern in the inaugural men’s basketball home game following completion of the new facility (UW won 53-33). Former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, who graduated from UW in 1956, donated $25 million toward the $76.4 million facility. Take a look back at archive photos tracing the construction process.
UW-Madison’s first provost finalist emphasizes shared experiences
Wisconsin State Journal
Anna Stenport, dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia, laid out her case Monday for why she’s the right pick for UW-Madison’s second-in-command.
The ancient US discovery predating the pyramids
BBC
Beyond Lake Mendota, Ho-Chunk ancestors left their mark on the landscape through a massive collection of effigy mounds used for gathering, ritual and burial, with at least 4,000 remaining throughout Wisconsin. Today tourists can visit the roughly 200 mounds in Madison, and take the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s First Nations Cultural Landscape Tour – a walking tour that explores upwards of 12,000 years of human history (running between 1 March and 30 November).
“I think the tours are so important for campus,” said Omar Poler, an Indigenous education coordinator in the Office of the Provost and a member of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community. “They’ve changed the way that UW-Madison sees and understands its own place,” Poler notes, adding that this is especially true of the tour guides.
UW Board of Regents to allow political canvassing in dorms
The Badger Herald
The Universities of Wisconsin and the Board of Regents have reviewed and changed policies regarding political campaigning in residential halls, both at UW-Madison and other UW system schools, according to the Feb. 5th Education Committee Meeting.
UW humanoid robotics club to build human-like robot from scratch
The Daily Cardinal
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Wisconsin Humanoid Robotics club, founded in November, plans to design and build a humanoid robot from scratch.
Humanoid robots are human-like automatons powered by artificial intelligence, with arms, bipedal legs and the ability to execute a range of mechanical tasks in the same way a human would. An analysis by Morgan Stanley projected the humanoid industry to become a $5 trillion market in the next 25 years. Humanoids could have applications in hazardous industrial work environments, consumer households and even scientific operations beyond Earth.
UW-Madison’s public affairs school receives $30M honoring Herb Kohl, finds new home
Wisconsin Public Radio
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s La Follette School of Public Affairs has found its future home at one of the college’s oldest buildings — thanks to a $30 million donation from the late U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl’s philanthropic foundation.
The public affairs school is currently sprawled across 28 different locations on UW-Madison’s nearly 1000-acre campus. The gift from Herb Kohl Philanthropies will turn the university’s Music Hall into Herb Kohl Hall and also help support school programming.
Artists vie for major public art commission near UW-Madison campus
The Cap Times
The inspiration for one of four new public art proposals on the edge of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus came from a 6-year-old boy named Luke.
“We go birding when we’re in Madison,” said artist Jason Klimoski, who with his wife, Lesley Chang, founded the architecture firm StudioKCA. “When we go to the Arboretum or Vilas Park, robins make that ‘cheerio’ sound: ‘Cheerio, cheerio, cheerio.'”
For first time in decades, UW changes rules for campaigning in dorms
The Cap Times
Wisconsin’s state universities are set to have new policies on campaigning in residence halls for the first time in nearly 40 years.
The Board of Regents, which oversees the Universities of Wisconsin system, last reviewed and approved the schools’ policies in 1988, when Ronald Reagan was president, floppy disks were popular and the movie “Die Hard” was released in theaters.
Phish, Shinedown coming to Kohl Center this year
Channel 3000
It’s gearing up to be an action-packed summer at the Kohl Center.
UW Athletics and FPC Live announced this week that Shinedown and Phish will perform at the venue later this year. Shinedown is coming to town on May 16 while Phish will have shows on July 7 and 8.
Tickets for Shinedown will go on sale on Friday and tickets for Phish go on sale Feb. 27.
Herb Kohl Philanthropies donates $30 million to UW-Madison’s La Follette School
FOX47
Herb Kohl Philanthropies announced a pledge to extend the late Sen. Kohl support of the UW-Madison’s La Follette School of Public Affairs with a $30 million lead private gift.
Herb Kohl foundation gift will expand UW’s School of Public Affairs
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The late Sen. Herb Kohl’s name will now grace not one but two buildings on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
Students march Bascom to demand sanctuary campus declaration amid ICE activity
The Daily Cardinal
Dozens of University of Wisconsin-Madison students, faculty and alumni marched from Library Mall up Bascom Hill Friday to demand stronger protections for immigrants and international students on campus.
UW-Madison faculty concerned new teaching requirements will limit research capacity, reduce staff autonomy
The Daily Cardinal
University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty are raising concerns over new workload requirements set to begin next fall that were passed as part of Wisconsin’s latest state budget negotiations.
Students volunteer to clean post-Lily’s litter
The Badger Herald
Volunteers gathered on Lake Mendota over the weekend to clean litter piles left on the ice following a party on the lake’s surface that took place in spite of the cancellation of Lily’s Classic, which was set to take place Saturday.
Lake Mendota party leaves environmental concerns after fraternity event canceled
Chanel 3000
A party on Lake Mendota Saturday left the lake covered in garbage after the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a fraternity could not reach an agreement to host its annual hockey tournament fundraiser.
Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels speaks on politics, higher education at UW-Madison
ABC 27
Mitch Daniels, former Indiana governor and past president of Purdue University, spoke Monday at the University of Wisconsin–Madison as part of the La Follette School of Public Affairs’ Spring Spotlight series.
UW-Madison’s La Follette School moving to new home after $57M upgrades
Cap Times
The La Follette School of Public Affairs plans to move into one of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s oldest buildings and rename the facility after former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl.
Police: UW-Madison student arrested for taking videos in dorm restroom
Wisconsin State Journal
A 19-year-old UW-Madison student was arrested Sunday for recording videos of people using the restroom at his residence hall, UW-Madison police said.
Herb Kohl’s foundation donates $30 million to renovate UW-Madison’s Music Hall for La Follette School
Wisconsin State Journal
Former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl’s foundation is donating $30 million to UW-Madison’s La Follette School of Public Affairs to modernize Music Hall, which will be renamed Herb Kohl Hall in honor of the late politician and businessman.
UW-Madison students demand campus leaders better support food pantry | Education | captimes.com
The Cap Times
After experiencing increased demand in recent years, organizers of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s student food pantry are asking campus leaders for help.
UW Library Friends should be thanked not booted off campus
Wisconsin State Journal
Readers most likely have encountered the Friends of the UW-Madison Libraries by attending their semi-annual book sales that bring in some $60,000 a year. The friends group has used the proceeds in various ways, including supporting speakers and making grants to visiting scholars using special and often unique material in the UW’s and State Historical Society’s libraries and archives.
UW-Madison fraternity cancels ‘Lily’s Classic’ fundraiser
Wisconsin State Journal
Sigma Alpha Epsilon at UW-Madison has canceled its massive annual fundraiser party on frozen Lake Mendota scheduled for this weekend after the university set rules around the event the fraternity says are unattainable.
How safe is UW drinking water?
The Badger Herald
The Madison Water Utility oversees the 21 wells that service the City of Madison, including the University of Wisconsin campus, according to Grande. They closely monitor a wide variety of regulated contaminants, like volatile organic compounds, pesticides, inorganic compounds, bacterial contaminations and PFAS, according to Grande.
Global Impact Musician program brings East African players to Madison
The Cap Times
Music educator and violinist Zeynep Alpan believes music is more than entertainment — it teaches “life.”
Alpan, who works on music education programming with the New York Philharmonic and Lincoln Center, is the co-founder of Global Impact Musician (GIM), a nonprofit based in New York and partnered with the University of Wisconsin-Madison that works with young professional musicians in East Africa.