Todays CapTimes story (bit.ly/1uU32DI) underscores that Sharing Science With Wisconsin is in our DNA here @UWMadison. The commitment of UW scholars to engage the public in science goes back a long, long way. The Wisconsin Ag Experiment Station opened in 1883 (go.wisc.edu/2s4jab) with farmers helping set the research agenda & collaborating in the research itself. The Washburn Observatory has been welcoming the public on the first & third Wednesday nights of every month since it was built in 1881 (astro.wisc.edu/~varda/Long_Wash_Obs_Text.html). The UW Geology Museum got started in 1848, even before the founding date of university itself (geology.wisc.edu/~museum/about.html). Over the years, the campus has continued to grow as an amazing Destination for Exploration as Ken Smith first called it. Visitors now have a constellation of some two dozen boutique science venues where they can experience science as exploring the unknown (science.wisc.edu/venues-constellation.htm). Welcoming the public to this public land-grant research university is vital to our public service mission. Its vital in part because Hospitality Is Reciprocal. Since UW-Madison scholars hope to be welcomed into homes and communities around Wisconsin, then in turn we at UW need to welcome people from communities all around the state to our place. Finally, heres my favorite formulation of the Wisconsin Idea: I shall never be content until the beneficient influence of the University reaches every family of the state. Its by President Charles Van Hise (a geologist & engineer), from a speech he gave to the Wisconsin Press Association and to the members of the Legislature gathered in the Red Gym on February 15, 1905. As a University, we provide instruction to about 40,000 students enrolled here. As a public land-grant research University, we seek to serve about 5.7 million learners all across Wisconsin. What a splendid heritage to receive. What a legacy to enrich and expand. What an enduring commitment to pass on to coming generations of Wisconsinites. Tom Zinnen
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 19:39:49 +0000
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