UW-Madison sesquicentennial events kick off Sept.10
Celebrations like this don’t come along very often.
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UW–Madison will commemorate its 150th anniversary and 15 decades of service to Wisconsin and its citizens starting next month. The creation of the university in 1848 — less than two months after Wisconsin became a state — will be highlighted during the UW Sesquicentennial Inauguration Sept. 10-12.
“The university was conceived in vision, and we are thriving 150 years later because of that vision,” said Chancellor David Ward. “It is exciting to consider what developments and breakthroughs will come forth from this institution in the next 150 years.” The festivities will start with a state proclamation to officially begin the UW sesquicentennial. The university will paint the state red – and white – through six other signature events through 1999 that are designed to recognize UW–Madison’s achievements over the past 150 years and look forward to its future.
“It is significant that the fourth act approved by the first Wisconsin Legislature created a public institution of higher education for the state and its citizens,” said Charles Hoslet, special assistant to the chancellor for state relations and chair of the opening weekend event.
“This weekend is designed to commemorate that pioneering act, to celebrate the university’s history and impact on Wisconsin, and to look ahead at how we can effectively serve the state in the next millennium.”
The State Sesquicentennial Commission and the UW System join UW–Madison in sponsoring the Sesquicentennial Inauguration.
“This event, and all the UW Sesquicentennial events, will showcase how this world-class university has been and still is one of Wisconsin’s greatest resources,” said UW System President Katharine Lyall.
Major events of the first sesquicentennial event are:
* The proclamation ceremony, part of the Wisconsin State Sesquicentennial Celebration, begins at 4 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Abraham Lincoln statue on Bascom Hill. The alternate site in case of inclement weather is Music Hall. Gov. Tommy Thompson has been invited to sign the proclamation declaring September 1998-December 1999 the official UW Sesquicentennial Celebration.
* An evening reception from 5-7 p.m. at the Elvehjem Museum of Art follows the proclamation ceremony and will commemorate the UW’s charter legislation. The Wisconsin Idea Sesquicentennial Exhibit will also be unveiled at the reception. (See related story.)
* A WHA-TV “Weekend” feature will air Sept. 11.
* A commemoration ceremony will be held during half time of the Sept. 12 Wisconsin-Ohio University football game at Camp Randall Stadium.
The UW Sesquicentennial Celebration is a partnership between the university, its schools and colleges and a 47-member Sesquicentennial Council, said Peyton Smith, UW sesquicentennial coordinator. That partnership is extended through several community and university sponsors, Smith added.
Community sponsors are American Family Insurance, The Evjue Foundation, Firstar, University Bookstore, UW Credit Union, the Wisconsin State Journal and The Capital Times. Specific university sponsors are the UW Foundation, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, UW Health and the Wisconsin Alumni Association.
No state funds are paying for the UW Sesquicentennial. Donations from sponsors and gifts to the university are covering the costs.