Little College in the Big Woods

In June, Alumni College attendees met at a lodge in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin. This February, the popular program will expand its offerings to include a session in Tucson, Arizona. Courtesy of Red Crown Lodge

For a dozen years, alumni and friends have traveled to Wisconsin’s Red Crown Lodge in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin, for Alumni College, where they learn about the most important topics of the day from UW experts.

For this year’s event in June, some 50 participants gathered for a long weekend on the shores of Trout Lake at the scenic resort owned by Bob Dunn ’89 and his wife, Julie Dunn ’91.

“It’s a treat for Badgers to spend time with such accomplished UW faculty and learn about the breadth and impact of their work,” says Sarah Schutt, chief alumni officer and executive director of the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA). Melissa Zehner ’12, who directs the program along with McKenzie Zdrale ’00, MA’23, adds that “there is a lot of ongoing connection with people who see each other year after year, but there are always some newcomers, too.” Some attendees come from as far as Texas and Alaska.

Zehner says that the immersive experience connects attendees with faculty members for meals and leisure activities such as canoeing, pontoon boat rides, and pickleball, “so it really gives them a good opportunity to learn more about what their academic departments are doing.”

This year’s presentations covered a range of topics. Gregory Nemet, a professor at the La Follette School of Public Affairs, spoke about renewable energy. Journalism professor Michael Wagner explored how news and social media affect democracy, and Laura Albert, a professor of industrial and systems engineering, explained how engineering is optimizing public safety. Nasia Safdar MS’02, PhD’09, associate dean for clinical trials at the School of Medicine and Public Health, spoke about antibiotic resistance.

“I would love to be able to add five stars to all the [satisfaction survey] ratings,” says Milwaukee attendee Heidi Cooper ’70. “The venue and professors are fantastic. I come away feeling a part of the greater UW community and so proud of my university.”

Donald Olson ’74 of Fort Mill, South Carolina, adds, “Great weather, amazing food, terrific speakers, and old and new friends made for a perfect long weekend.”

In addition to the annual summer event in the Northwoods, in February 2027, WAA will host its first Alumni College in Tucson, Arizona, due to popular demand from Badger chapters and other alumni in the state.

Published in the Fall 2026 issue