MADISON — Families, students and future alumni are invited to learn more about attending the University of Wisconsin System during a day of special events at the Wisconsin State Fair.
“UW Day at the State Fair” on Friday, Aug. 2, will offer prospective students and their families a window to understand how the UW System can be a valuable part of their future. Campus exhibits will show friends and visitors how the system’s 13 four-year universities, 13 freshman-sophomore campuses and UW-Extension impact their communities every day.
The day’s events will take place at the UW Main Stage at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in West Allis from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. University staff will be available to answer questions about admissions, campuses, courses, college-savings programs, financial aid and future careers. UW System President Katharine C. Lyall, members of the Board of Regents and student ambassadors will be at the fair to greet visitors.
Fairgoers can also meet Chancellors Douglas Hastad of UW-La Crosse, Nancy Zimpher of UW-Milwaukee, Richard Wells of UW-Oshkosh, Ann Lydecker of UW-River Falls and William Messner of the UW Colleges.
“The UW System is proud to celebrate 30 years of providing access to quality education,” Lyall said. “We look forward to sharing good news with as many as 30,000 fairgoers who are interested in the UW System. It would take numerous visits to campuses and college fairs to spread the word to the same number of people.”
“UW Day at the State Fair” will allow representatives from throughout the UW System to join the university institutions that feature agricultural and scientific exhibits at the fair each year. Families can take part in hands-on exhibits, child-friendly learning stations and insightful discussions with UW faculty and staff. Talented UW community members will also treat fairgoers to musical entertainment during the day.
“Everyone in Wisconsin is part of the UW System,” said UW-Baraboo/Sauk County Dean Aural Umhoefer, head of the committee that organized “UW Day at the State Fair.” “Fairgoers can stop by ‘UW Day’ to learn more about the UW System and have fun in the process.”
Here’s a glance at the day’s events:
HELP: Discover more about attending a UW System campus. Staff from the UW System Higher Education Location Program can answer questions about admissions, courses and programs, careers, transfers and financial aid.
Science: Learn from the experts at the UW Sea Grant Institute and UW life science and biotechnology programs. Visit the UW-Milwaukee Science Van, and check out the latest robotics innovations from UW-Platteville.
Wisconsin Public Radio: Stop by in the morning to hear live radio broadcasts with hosts Jean Feraca and Larry Meiller.
Alumni: Support your alma mater or a close-to-home campus at the UW Store. Take home a cap, T-shirt or sweatshirt with a favorite UW logo.
Meet the Mascots: Shake hands ? or paws ? with UW System mascots, including UW-Madison’s Bucky Badger, UW-Whitewater’s Willie the Warhawk and Stevie Pointer from UW-Stevens Point.
For Kids: UW athletics coaches will lead mini-clinics for youngsters, who can also attend an interactive “College for Kids” and take home a collectible activity book.
The UW Main Stage will be conveniently located near the Cream Puff Pavilion on the Fair’s central mall. For more information, visit the UW System’s “UW Day at the Fair” website at http://wisconsin.edu/statefair.