About Us
The Wisconsin Alumni Association is where Badgers belong. It’s the place for you to continue to engage with the university and other alumni and friends and enhance your Wisconsin Experience.
We’re Here for You!
We’ve been in your shoes — the ones that made countless treks up and down Bascom Hill. This understanding of campus life provides us with a unique ability to both sustain beloved traditions and share the best of what the UW has to offer. It’s been that way from the very beginning — when, in 1861, Charles Wakeley founded WAA to “keep alive the spirit of loyalty” to the University of Wisconsin.
All alumni — wherever you live and whoever you are — are welcome in this global community that celebrates the Wisconsin Experience and shares in what makes being a Badger special. Consider WAA your source for meaningful ways to connect back to the UW and move forward as a Badger.
See Yourself in WAA
The Wisconsin Alumni Association is here for you and all Badgers — wherever you live and through every stage of alumnihood. See for yourself in this video and continue your journey as an alum with WAA.
Your Guide to Living a Badger-Filled Life
Page through WAA’s comprehensive guide to discover the many ways you can Badger On in the world today.
WAA Is Your Place to …
Strengthen UW Connections
WAA is your gateway back to UW–Madison and provides access to a vibrant alumni network ready to celebrate with, connect to, and support all Badgers. With programs and resources that matter to you, WAA offers a sense of community that welcomes all alumni and keeps you feeling close to the UW. Learn More >
Stay in the Know
WAA is your source for current campus happenings, alumni in the news, and positive impacts the university is making on the world. Enjoy stories that interest you, inform you, and give you even more reasons to be proud of the UW. Learn More >
Share Your UW Pride
WAA is where your pride really shines. As the keeper of traditions, honored host of alumni awards and achievements, and creator of unique Badger experiences, WAA holds the key to the countless ways you share and celebrate your pride and affinity for the UW. Learn More >
Continue Your Pursuit of Knowledge
WAA gives you the chance to remain part of the UW’s academic excellence through our alumni enrichment offerings. There’s something for everyone thanks to our wide range of programs and topics presented by renowned faculty and alumni experts. Learn More >
Boost Your Badger Spirit
WAA brings your Badger spirit to life. With traditions, tours, tailgates, and other events that reach Bucky levels of excitement, WAA pulls out all the stops to get you jumping around, singing “U-Rah-Rah,” and enjoying the moment with Badgers of all ages. Learn More >
Build Your Badger Network
WAA plugs you into a dynamic network of alumni who can help you grow your professional connections and open doors in your field of interest. With resources like Badger Bridge, WAA broadens your circle of professional contacts to move your career forward. Learn More >
Satisfy Your Wanderlust
WAA really takes you places. With an array of international and domestic tours, WAA is where your journey begins. So, take the roads less traveled, enjoy hands-on learning experiences, and make new Badger friends along the way. Learn More >
Make a Difference
WAA gives you great ways to give back. Whether it’s advocating for the UW, volunteering at a WAA event, or contributing to student scholarships, you are helping to fulfill our mission and making an impact on the greater good. Learn More >
A History of Connecting Alumni
Mission
To promote the welfare and advance the objectives of the University of Wisconsin–Madison by encouraging the interest of alumni, friends, and donors; to engage the UW’s alumni and friends in the life of the university; to inspire them to support the university and each other.
WAA’s Place in the UW Universe
Founded in 1861, WAA has a storied history of enriching the lives of UW alumni. Along the way, it has also compiled some interesting facts and honored accomplished Badgers with prestigious alumni awards. Today, much like the Wisconsin Idea (which is also the theme of WAA’s Alumni Park), WAA reaches beyond the boundaries of campus to connect, enrich, and serve more than 450,000 graduates.
In 2014, WAA merged with the UW Foundation to form the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the University of Wisconsin–Madison. As highlighted in WFAA’s annual report, the organization now provides a unified effort to engage alumni and friends in support and celebration of the UW. The members of the WAA Alumni Advisory Council are committed volunteers whose insights are invaluable to the organization.
WAA’s Commitment to Inclusivity
WAA invites participation by all UW alumni and donors. We seek to foster an open-minded, welcoming, and inclusive alumni and donor community. We seek to understand the views held by our varied and diverse communities and are committed to freedom of expression and respectful dialogue.
We do not tolerate acts of discrimination, harassment, profiling, or other conduct that threatens or causes harm to individuals on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, ability, religious beliefs, political preference, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, national origin, veteran status, or other personal characteristics. We acknowledge that WAA must take active steps to ensure that all alumni and donors feel welcome and included, and to eliminate bias and racism from our organizationally sponsored communications and activities. We further acknowledge our responsibility to continue learning and to assist each other in the learning process. To learn more about WAA’s commitment to inclusivity see our strategic plans for diverse alumni engagement.
Get in Touch
Have questions or want to learn more about WAA? We’re here for you. So, please reach out anytime. Contact us.