Wisconsin Idea Seminar
The Wisconsin Idea Seminar is a five-day bus tour that immerses forty faculty and academic staff members in the educational, industrial, social, and political realities of Wisconsin. Started in 1985, the seminar introduces and promotes the Wisconsin Idea, the committment to use university expertise and resources to address the problems of the state.
The 2009 Wisconsin Idea Seminar:
MONDAY-FRIDAY, MAY 18-22, 2009
The 2009 seminar is currently being developed and may include visits to the Aldo Leopold Shack, Baraboo; a dairy farm in western WI; the Ho-Chunk Nation, Black River Falls; Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield; businesses in the Wausau area; Green Bay Correctional Institution, Green Bay; the Dewaunee Power Station, Carlton; and the Milwaukee Public Schools.
What your colleagues say about the Seminar:
"Don't miss this chance to meet so many interesting colleagues while taking a 'crash course' in the state and its resources." John Niles, College of Letters and Science
"The most important thing to me was meeting a lot of new people, both on and off the bus, and hearing their stories, told from the heart. I have a much richer sense of my mission at the university, what I want to accomplish in my teaching here, and what I want to give to the people of Wisconsin." Mary Lou Roberts, College of Letters and Science
"Of course we met dozens of wonderful Wisconsin residents....The seminar gave me a much better understanding of the kinds of communities from which my students come and the kinds of issues they face." Eric Camburn, School of Education
"I was struck by the inter-connectedness of our work; the diversity of connections across disciplines. Also the eagerness of industry/organizations to have the Madison campus assist on projects." Susan Crowley, University Health Services
"I have a much keener vision of my connection to Wisconsin and the reward of investing in Wisconsin development. It was moving to observe the interest ... Wisconsin people have in what we are doing here at UW-Madison." John Pfotenhauer, College of Engineering
Who may apply
- New faculty members
- Recently tenured faculty members
- New deans and department chairs
- Lead academic staff with statewide responsibilities
Selection process
Nomination forms are submitted to/by department chairs who approve and forward to the appropriate Dean's Office. The Deans review the nominations, recommend candidates for selection, and submit forms to the Graduate School. By mid-April, approximately 40 people from a cross-section of schools and colleges and disciplines will be notified that they have been selected to participate. All nominations are due in the Dean's Offices before March 1. Space is limited and early nominations are encouraged.
To apply or nominate
Complete the nomination form and submit to your dean before March 1, 2009. Early applications are recommended.
Funding
Funds are provided by the deans of the Schools and Colleges and by a grant from the Evjue Foundation.
Additional information
For additional information, look at our flyer or contact seminar staff below.
Miriam Simmons, Assistant Dean
UW-Madison Graduate School
333 Bascom Hall
Phone: (608) 262-9970 Fax: (608) 262-5134
email: msimmons@bascom.wisc.edu
Joyce Crim, Senior Outreach Specialist
(608) 265-5416 jcrim@bascom.wisc.edu
Marcia Marshall, Program Assistant
(608) 262-1044 mmarshall@bascom.wisc.edu