Recent Sightings

Sifting sunlight
A sliver of sunlight, from low in the winter sky, shines through the Bascom Hall portico and strikes the plaque that preserves the university’s honored “sifting and winnow” statement on academic freedom, first made by the Board of Regents in September 1894. The bronze plaque, a commencement gift to the university from the class of 1910, was stored in the basement of Bascom until its official dedication in 1915. It has been a constant presence since then, whatever the weather. (Photo: Jeff Miller)

All in jest
A long-standing tradition continues: A jester, played by Connor Word, a student and member of the Wisconsin Union catering staff, presents a platter of meat — and awaits approval — from Sir Thomas Cleary, master of ceremonies for the 69th annual Tudor Holiday Dinner Concert. The event, which recreates the atmosphere of merry old England, was held for sellout crowds on Dec. 4-8 and 10-11 in Memorial Union’s Great Hall. Along with a hearty feast and mulled wine, attendees enjoyed strolling minstrels and harmonies by the Philharmonic Chorus of Madison. (Photo: Jeff Miller)

Really big reel
Instrument maker Bart Dana, above, removes a level winder arm from a 10-ton hose reel and sledge under construction at UW–Madison’s Physical Science Laboratory. They are components of a drilling system to be used to construct IceCube, a neutrino telescope to be built at the South Pole. When deployed, the hot-water rig will be used to drill kilometer-deep holes in the Antarctic ice so that strings of photomultiplier tubes — the heart of the IceCube detector array — can be sunk into the ice. (Photo: Michael Forster Rothbart)