Greetings from the Center for Campus History, and happy Latine Heritage Month! For September’s edition of the newsletter we have LHM events, archival finds, Center updates, resource recommendations and more!
The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Rebecca M. Blank Center For Campus History is an ongoing effort to expand and enrich UW-Madison’s historical narrative by centering the voices, experiences, and struggles of marginalized groups. As always, if you have a story to share, an event you think should be researched, or a person you think has been overlooked, please email us at centerforcampushistory@wisc.edu.
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If you’re reading this newsletter it most likely means you’re already a huge fan of the Center for Campus History. But if for some reason you haven’t been following all of our work with rapt attention, we have you covered.
We just published the annual CCH Year in Review for the 2024-25 academic year with updates on research, collaborations, curricular resources and more.
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An undated photo of MEChA members meeting on campus. UW Archives
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CLS is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026 and we’ve been thrilled to partner with them on work that highlights the program’s history for the occasion, including collecting more than 30 oral history interviews with CLS alumni, students, community members, and current/former staff and faculty.
But you don’t have to wait until next year to celebrate. There’s a whole slew of events in the coming weeks for Latine Heritage Month celebrating the theme, Amor Sin Fronteras.
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Are you interested in doing an oral history interview or project? Or are just curious what it actually is? Check out the aptly named workshop Oral History: What is it? And how do I do it? UW Archives Oral Historian Troy Reeves will lead this 90-minute session that offers an overview of the art and science of oral history.
Wednesday, October 1 – 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Steenbock Library, Room 340 or virtual via Zoom (Link will be sent prior to the workshop.)
Find out more and register here.
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Each month, we like to share one of the many (many… many… ) books that have helped the Center’s research.
With Badger football back in action, this month we’re recommending College Sports: A History by Eric A. Moyen and John R. Thelin.
Using thorough historical research, Moyen and Thelin tell the intriguing story of the success—and excess—of American college sports from their inception to today. Arguing that the modern American university's structure spurred the growth of big-time sports, they also highlight the treatment of marginalized groups in athletics and the role that commercialization and the media have played in shaping college athletics.
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Bill Sagal, the first human Bucky Badger mascot in 1949. He is assisted by Bill Sachse and Connie Conrad, who constructed Bucky. UW Archives
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We get asked a lot of questions about UW history. Each month we’ll answer one in the newsletter.
This month: When did Bucky become UW’s mascot? And where did his name come from?
The answer: If you know UW-Madison, you know Bucky is completely ubiquitous on campus. But apparently that’s not what the ‘U’ in Buckingham U. Badger stands for. According to the Wisconsin Alumni Association, U is Mr. Badger’s full middle name. Go figure.
As for his origin story, it’s not exactly straightforward. The badger has been UW-Madison’s mascot since the late 1800s, when the school’s football team was founded. The cartoon image of Bucky as we know him was commissioned by the university bookstore in 1940 and the first live-action bucky attended a football game in 1949, sporting a giant papier-mâché head. That same year, students held a naming contest where Bucky beat out other options like Bouncy, Buddy, Bernie, and Bobby (though in some tellings, the vote counting wasn’t entirely on the level).
If you want to learn more about the beloved badger’s backstory, check out Bucky!, a new documentary from our friends at PBS Wisconsin!
Have a question? Let us know! Email us at centerforcampushistory@wisc.edu.
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Each month Center Director Kacie Lucchini Butcher will share a book, podcast, movie, quote, or something else she thinks has been adding to the CCH. We're calling it "From The Desk of KLB".
This month From the Desk of KLB, Kacie is a huge national parks fan. Inspired by her recent visit to Yellowstone (she has pictures to share if you’re interested!!!), Kacie insists everyone sit down and watch Ken Burns’ documentary, The National Parks: America's Best Idea. The six-part series is stuffed with breathtaking scenery from Alaska to Florida but it’s also a story of people from all different walks of life who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved.
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As always, if you have a story to share, an event you think should be researched, or a person you think has been overlooked, please email us at centerforcampushistory@wisc.edu.
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