A social media journey through 2017… in red and white

Badgers use social media for many different purposes: to communicate with one another, to share thoughts and photos, to keep up to date with all that’s happening in the world around us. It’s a way we catalog our lives and document what’s happening on campus throughout the year.

The University Communications team at UW–Madison was proud to engage with so many students, alumni and friends throughout 2017.  Our social media accounts are highly regarded in higher education, and we realize that wouldn’t be possible without you.

Through some of our most popular Tweets and Instagrams, we look back at 2017.

January

Gliding into 2017, Badger football started the year with a win against Western Michigan in the Cotton Bowl. This would turn out to be the first of many wins for the team this year — and the first of two opportunities to beat coach PJ Fleck.

We also started the year with an opportunity to raise our voices. Thousands of demonstrators surged toward the state Capitol on January 21 in a rally protesting in support of women’s rights.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPidBZAFUt9/

February

Dress for the weather, not the season. Despite the calendar clearly stating it was winter, students enjoyed unseasonably warm temperatures, even being able to lounge on Bascom Hill in shorts and sunglasses.

And views like this are enough to keep the winter blues at bay…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ3uiNrDwa0/

March

March brought basketball fever, and the legendary Badger men’s basketball team made it to the Sweet Sixteen.

Campus had a visit from another legend, UW Band Director Mike Leckrone, who helped spread the word about his upcoming UW Varsity Band Concert.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSPcO4VjELp/

April

Spring has sprung! As Badgers continued to study strong, the blooming trees provided a sign that summer was just around the corner.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTKvZUYj4e4/

And with warmer weather comes time at the Terrace…

May

In May we were proud to send off the graduating Class of 2017 with a familiar tune.

And we struck down any doubts that they wouldn’t be successful in all that they do as Wisconsin alumni.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUKbFYhDEBO/

June

#UWSummer is in full swing. Whether students were taking classes or working on campus, at the end of the day they had the privilege of being members of the #UWSunsetClub.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVbavAdjery/

#NationalSelfieDay was in June as well, and it was rightly celebrated by truly everyone.

July

Contrary to popular belief, the campus is “bursting” with activity in the summer, which was displayed by our community through the hashtag #UWSummer.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWLksRijZ22/

We saw the return of another campus mainstay, the Hagenah Fountain on Library Mall.

August

Students and faculty took a break during their #UWSummer day to view the total solar eclipse, the first in 38 years.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYEU0qpDbhy/

As another “a-maze-ing” #UWSummer came to a close, we were excited to welcome Badgers back to campus to prepare for the fall semester.

September

The Golden Rule turned Badger Red in September.

We also discovered a very on-brand Terrace paver stone that most of us could live by.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZed7M-jznv/

October

Just in time for Homecoming Weekend, we welcomed the opening of Alumni Park, UW’s newest campus landmark.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BakdEmajfE2/

Of all the game day traditions, this one’s one of our favorites.

November

#UWFall might not have brought cool temperatures, but it did provide some pretty cool views.

Speaking of stellar views… the Northern Lights danced across the Madison skyline one starry November evening.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbQWCzwj8jI/

December

Snowflakes and finals are upon us as the Fall 2017 semester comes to a close.

And as the sun sets on another year, we thank you all for making it a memorable one. See you in 2018, #Badgers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcLtYfrDQKR/