Wisconsin Union: Wisconsin Homecoming Committee, Wisconsin Alumni Association, Partners Host 2024 UW Homecoming

Returning for its 114th year, University of Wisconsin–Madison Homecoming will take place Oct. 20-26 with a week of fun for students, alumni, UW community members and honorary Badgers alike. Attendees can look forward to time-honored traditions, such as the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee and Wisconsin Union’s downtown Madison parade, as well as the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s (WAA’s) post-parade block party and pep rally. 

“Every year, our talented committee has the privilege of designing and organizing events that engage both the campus community and the greater Madison area, celebrating our shared Badger identity,” said Wynton Wright, president of the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee. “I’m excited about the diverse events we have planned this year and eager to continue the Homecoming tradition.”

Both UW–Madison registered student organizations and non-university groups are invited to apply to walk, dance, bike, or build a float for the UW Homecoming Parade, which will proceed from Gilman Street to Lake Street on Oct. 25 starting at 6 p.m.

“We are thrilled to welcome our alumni and friends back to campus for the UW’s Homecoming celebrations,” said Sarah Schutt, WAA chief alumni officer and executive director. “The Wisconsin Alumni Association is proud to offer a variety of activities for alumni, students and the Madison community in partnership with the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee.”

Highlights of the weeklong celebration will include:

Now through Oct. 11

• Coloring page contest, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee

Oct. 19

• Badger Games: bracket-style student intramural volleyball tournament, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee

Oct. 20

• Paint the Town: opportunity for registered student organizations to decorate Memorial Union and State Street windows, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee

Oct. 21-25

• Medallion Hunt: daily treasure hunt with prizes, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee

Oct. 21-26

• Window Display Showcase, featuring windows painted by UW–Madison registered student organizations, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee

Oct. 21

• Cocoa with HoCo: free hot chocolate inside Memorial Union and Union South, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee

Oct. 22-24

• UW Homecoming Blood Drive, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee and American Red Cross

Oct. 24-25

• Fill the Hill, presented by the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association

Oct. 25

• Badger Meet-Up, presented by WAA
• UW Homecoming Parade, presented by the Wisconsin Union and the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee
• UW Homecoming Block Party and Pep Rally, with fireworks (weather-permitting), presented by WAA
• Multicultural Homecoming Yard Show, presented by WAA and UW–Madison Fraternity & Sorority Life, supported by the Wisconsin Union
• Recent Grad Badger Meet-Up: Hoco Edition, presented by WAA

Oct. 26

• Badger Bash: Wisconsin vs. Penn State, presented by the Wisconsin Union
• Multicultural Homecoming Tailgate and Watch Party, presented by WAA and UW-Madison Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement

Attendees can find the full up-to-date list of Homecoming fun and activities at wiscohoco.com and uwalumni.com/homecoming.

Lake Ridge Bank’s Ben Udell Named a BankBeat 2024 Rising Star

September 12, 2024 (MADISON, Wis.) – Ben Udell, Senior Vice President-Digital Innovation at Lake Ridge Bank, was recently named one of BankBeat’s 2024 class of Rising Stars. In July, BankBeat honored six bankers from across the Midwest who have made outstanding contributions to their bank, industry and community, showing promise to continue making a substantial impact for years to come. Nominees must be under the age of 45 and can hold any position within banking.

Rising Star Honorees are chosen from banks located in Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Udell is the only banker honored from Wisconsin this year.

With an MBA from UMass Amherst and a degree from the Graduate School of Banking at UW-Madison, Udell has a special interest in using AI smartly and ethically – and teaching others to do the same. He is a national leader in helping banks tap into the transformative power of generative AI and has presented on this topic at the Wisconsin Bankers Association, Financial Brand Forum, and other national events.

“Ben is part innovator, part disrupter,” says Paul Hoffmann, Lake Ridge Bank President. “Through his role in digital innovation, Ben is trying to help people be more productive and do a better job so we can provide an amazing client experience while future-proofing our bank.”

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Lake Ridge Bank’s mission is to “build prosperous communities, one relationship at a time.” For more than 100 years, this has meant getting to know each of our clients to offer personalized services to meet their specific financial goals. Lake Ridge Bank offers a full line of financial products and services. We focus on offering products and services to make your banking easy. Our business banking and mortgage lenders are trusted leaders in their field with the expertise to provide the right loan at the best rate possible for our clients. As a community bank, we are dedicated to reinvesting in, and making our communities great places to live, work and raise a family. Visit lakeridge.bank to learn more about how we can help you.

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

Lake Ridge Bank. Go Far. Go Together!

For additional information, please contact Mark Schellpfeffer at mschellpfeffer@lakeridge.bank.

MMoCA seeks work from statewide artists for Wisconsin Triennial

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) is seeking artwork created by Wisconsin artists to include in the Wisconsin Triennial, which presents a survey of the creativity and innovation of the state’s artistic community. Every three years, the exhibition showcases a wide range of artistic approaches and subjects, reflecting current directions in Wisconsin’s visual arts scene. 

In a return to its original form, the 2025 Wisconsin Triennial will be a juried exhibition selected and organized by MMoCA curatorial staff. The 2025 Wisconsin Triennial will be installed in the Museum’s Main Galleries and on view to the public May 2–Sept. 14, 2025.

Artists from across the state are invited to apply to this exhibition by submitting examples of their artwork along with a brief biography, statement, and CV by Oct. 14. To learn more and apply, click here.

Read more at In Business Magazine

Capitol Bank Strengthens Commitment to Employee Satisfaction with New HR Leadership

Capitol Bank is excited to announce the appointment of JoAnna Vanderpoel as AVP/Director of Human Resources. Her arrival marks a significant step in the Bank’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that every employee feels supported, valued, and fulfilled in their role. JoAnna will play a crucial role in fostering an environment where professional growth, well-being, and job satisfaction are central to the employee experience.

At Capitol Bank, we believe that happy and engaged employees are key to delivering outstanding service to our customers. JoAnna’s role will focus on enhancing the employee journey—from onboarding to career development—ensuring that every team member has access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed and grow within the organization.

“Capitol Bank is built on the belief that our people are our greatest asset,” said Ami Myrland, President & CFO of Capitol Bank. “JoAnna’s leadership in HR will help us continue to cultivate a workplace where employees feel heard, appreciated, and empowered to achieve their best. Her passion for people and strategic thinking aligns perfectly with our commitment to creating a workplace centered on employee well-being.”

Capitol Bank’s dedication to employee satisfaction is evident through its strong culture of inclusion, recognition, and support. By regularly seeking employee feedback, offering professional development opportunities, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, the Bank continues to foster an environment where employees can thrive personally and professionally.

JoAnna’s strong background in human resources will help Capitol Bank deepen its focus on nurturing a positive workplace culture that not only attracts top talent but also retains and grows that talent through ongoing support and development.

About Capitol Bank: Capitol Bank, locally owned and operated, is committed to serving the communities in which we live, work, and do business. We are proud of the partnerships we have established with organizations, businesses, and individuals in the Greater Madison area. Our philosophy of community support is demonstrated at the corporate level, as well as in the time and energy our employees devote to our community each year. Capitol Bank is Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

Immigration and Family Law Attorney Maryam Ghayyad Joins DeWitt’s Madison Office

GREEN BAY | MADISON | MILWAUKEE | MINNEAPOLIS – Today DeWitt LLP law firm announced attorney Maryam Ghayyad joined its Immigration and Family Law practice group in the firm’s Madison office. 

Ghayyad specializes in immigration and family law. Her immigration practice involves both employment-based and family-based cases. Her family law specialization includes divorce cases, paternity matters, custody and placement of minor children, grandparents’ rights, and post-judgment issues that impact families. 

As a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Ghayyad is able to stay current with ever-changing immigration law. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she has delivered speeches to students about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in both Madison and Janesville, Wisconsin. Her volunteer work at the Family Law Assistance Clinic as a bilingual attorney helps address the needs of family law litigants. 

Prior to DeWitt, she served as partner at another law firm in Madison. The esteemed attorney was recognized as an “Up and Coming Lawyer” by the Wisconsin Law Journal in 2018.

In 2012, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School and received the Bercovici Prize for Jurisprudence/Legal Philosophy which recognizes graduates who excel in the study of jurisprudence and legal philosophy. Ghayyad also earned an undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from UW-Madison in 2005.

About DeWitt

Founded in 1903, DeWitt LLP is one of the ten largest law firms based in Wisconsin, with an additional presence in Minnesota. It has more than 130 attorneys practicing in Green Bay, Madison and Greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Minneapolis, Minnesota and has the experience to service clients of all scopes and sizes. DeWitt is known for its work in a variety of legal areas including family law, background screening, business law, employee stock ownership plans, employee benefits, intellectual property, patents, trademarks and copyright law, construction litigation, employment relations, environmental, estate planning, family business, litigation, real estate, tax law, and more. Additional information is available at dewittllp.com.

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