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April 30, 2026
Campus Life
Laptop showing Spotify playlists.
Inside the Music League Connecting Students and Alumni
This spring, while the Frozen Four and March Madness brackets were taking over the campus consciousness, communication arts students and alumni were distracted by a very different kind of competition. This music league brings together generations of Badgers who compete to submit the best songs for themed playlists.
Announcement
Kristin Eschenfelder headshot.
Meet the Interim L&S Dean
Kristin Eschenfelder, a professor and associate dean, will serve as the Interim Dean for the College of Letters & Science effective May 17, while Eric M. Wilcots is in Bascom Hall as Interim Chancellor.
Student Spotlight
2026 Wolff Fellowship recipient, Chloe Shomo.
From Farm to Classroom to World Travel
The 2026 Wolff Fellowship recipient, Chloe Shomo, will spend a year traveling to five continents, taking a holistic approach to studying food systems and their impact on youth.
Research
A render of a QAnon flag based on the Betsy Ross flag.
Taking Conspiracy Theorists Seriously
Conspiracy theories and the people who deal in them are often written off. As more people fall down the rabbit hole, Matthew Hannah decided it was time to academically investigate what draws individuals to these beliefs.
Wisconsin Idea
Drone photo of Central UW–Madison campus.
At the Intersection of Journalism and AI
Tomás Dodds is leading the new Public Tech Media Lab, which aims to be a resource for journalists hoping to be deliberate about how to ethically use new technology.
Awards
Tehshik Yoon sharing his research in a chemistry lab.
Chemistry Professor Wins Samsung’s Prestigious Ho-Am Award
Professor of Chemistry Tehshik Yoon was just named one of the 2026 Samsung Ho-Am Prize Laureates. He is being honored for ushering in a new era of green chemistry.
From the Magazine
Classic book illustration of The Ugly Duckling.
Hans Christian Andersen’s Cautionary Tales
The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea and The Ugly Duckling. These are just a few of the internationally renowned fairy tales Danish author Hans Christian Andersen brought to life. The stories are also the subject of a popular class taught by Claus Elholm Andersen (no relation).
Research
Ona Ambrozaite headshot.
A Quantum Future Comes into Focus
Ona Ambrozaite has been tapped as the new executive director of the Wisconsin Quantum Institute. For the past six years, WQI has served as a research hub within the Department of Physics.
History Lesson
A help wanted sign posted in a window.
AI Hiring Is Nothing New
AI’s influence now dominates the modern career-matching experience. But as Greg Downey’s research shows, it’s been that way for a lot longer than we think.
University Updates
Eric M. Wilcots headshot.
Dishin’ With the Dean
L&S Dean Eric M. Wilcots answers questions about how he’ll approach his new role as Interim Chancellor.
Madison Moment
Students writing thank you cards during 2026 Day of the Badger Café.
Day of the Badger 2026
We’d like to thank our L&S community for joining the Party to Pay it Forward! Because of your generosity, the L&S Annual Fund raised more than $42,000 during this year’s Day of the Badger. Together, you helped unlock our full $13,000 match, amplifying the impact of every gift in support of our students, faculty and programs. And the students joined in on the fun at our annual Day of the Badger Café.

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