Locally Crafted Sunburst Sparkler Beverage Expands with Two New Flavors

MADISON – The flavor lineup of Sunburst Sparkler — locally crafted, fruit-infused, caffeinated sparkling beverages created by the Wisconsin Union and Karben4 teams — has expanded with two new flavors, Kiwi Berry Bang and Raspberry Ginger Rush.

All Sunburst Sparkler flavors are on shelves now at all Wisconsin Union-run dining locations, some campus vending machines, and some Madison area retailers’ locations, such as Woodman’s Markets, Barriques, and Triangle Market.

            Kiwi Berry Bang blends strawberry, kiwi, and guava juice concentrates with tea-derived caffeine for a tropical-inspired, new Sunburst Sparkler flavor option. Raspberry Ginger Rush brings together raspberry and ginger with a hint of lime as a zesty Sunburst Sparkler lineup addition.

            Kiwi Berry Bang and Raspberry Ginger Rush join the original four Sunburst Sparkler flavors lineup of Cherry SubLime, Flamango Tango, Poppin’ Peach Punch, and Berry Burst. Like the originals, these new flavor options contain no added sweeteners, feature real fruit juice as the only source of sweetness, and have tea-derived, natural caffeine. Each can contains between 15 and 35 calories and are $3.69 per can at Wisconsin Union-run dining locations.

            “We’re excited to expand the Sunburst Sparkler line with two new flavors of our locally created, naturally caffeinated energy drinks,” said Carl Korz, Wisconsin Union associate director for dining and hospitality services. “This is such an incredible alternative to the artificially flavored energy drinks out there. You’re still getting a sustained burst of energy but without added sweeteners like stevia or hard-to-pronounce chemicals and additives.”

            Other Wisconsin Union-made food and beverage products include Terrace Lemonade and Terrace Strawberry Lemonade produced in collaboration with Karben4 and Wisconsin Union Beef Snack Sticks produced in collaboration with Bucky’s Varsity Meats. The Wisconsin Union also offers exclusive Wisconsin Union gifts and merchandise at its Badger Markets at Memorial Union and Union South as well as at its online Terrace Store.

            Purchases of Wisconsin Union food, beverages and merchandise help support the nonprofit’s work to create free and low-cost events, community spaces and student leadership opportunities.

Patrons can visit union.wisc.edu/about/wisconsin-union-products to learn about some Wisconsin Union-made products, including the Sunburst Sparkler lineup.

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About the Wisconsin Union

The non-profit Wisconsin Union strives to enhance and support student leadership and community engagement, including through recreational, cultural, educational and social opportunities and by providing world-class support services, such as in event management. The Wisconsin Union includes student leadership opportunities available through the Wisconsin Union Directorate, the Center for Leadership and Involvement, the Wisconsin Singers, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee; Memorial Union; Union South; various dining options throughout downtown Madison; UW Conference Centers; and the Fluno Center. Learn more about the Union and its tradition of providing experiences for a lifetime: union.wisc.edu.

About Karben4 Brewing

Founded in 2012, Karben4 (K4) was built to make great beverages while never taking itself too seriously. The team is committed to brewing high-quality, innovative beers and other drinks that push the boundaries of traditional brewing. Check K4 out online at karben4.com.

M3 Expands Surety Expertise with the Addition of Babcock Solutions

GRAFTON, WI – M3 is pleased to announce we have joined forces with Babcock Solutions, strengthening our surety expertise and our commitment to delivering best-in-class surety solutions. This partnership aligns with M3’s focus on providing comprehensive risk management backed by deep industry knowledge and a client-first approach.

“We are excited to join M3 and look forward to working with the M3 Surety team to continue building trusted relationships and best-in-class surety services for our current and future clients,” said Brad Babcock, founder of Babcock Solutions and now managing director of M3 Surety. “I believe joining with M3 allows us expand our team and reach throughout Wisconsin, Rockford, and the Upper Peninsula.” 

Since 2012, Babcock Solutions has been a trusted provider of surety bonds. Brad Babcock and team are known for their dedication to client success and personalized service. By integrating their expertise with M3’s broad capabilities, clients will benefit from an even stronger foundation of resources, industry insight, and tailored surety solutions.

“Welcoming Babcock Solutions to M3 is pivotal for our surety practice,” said Mike Victorson, CEO and partner at M3. “Their legacy of trusted relationships and expertise aligns with our promise to deliver unmatched value to clients. Together, we’re not just expanding services, we’re raising the bar for what’s possible for our clients.”

Babcock Solutions’ clients will continue to receive the same high level of service they have come to expect. In the coming months, all services will be fully integrated under the M3 brand, providing a seamless experience with expanded support and solutions.

For more information about this transition and how it benefits our clients, please visit m3ins.com/surety

About M3

M3 is a top insurance broker and risk management firm in America. We’re leaders in the products we represent and the industries we serve. M3’s people are an extension of your team, providing world-class resources to help you manage risk, purchase insurance, and provide employee benefits. And our focus on community builds better places to live and work. For more information on M3, visit www.m3ins.com.

UW–MADISON’S CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP & INVOLVEMENT CHANGES NAME TO OFFICE FOR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, LEADERSHIP & INVOLVEMENT

MADISON – The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Center for Leadership & Involvement (CfLI) has updated its name to the Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement (SOLI) to better encompass the Office’s offerings and mission. 

Under its new name, SOLI will continue its work facilitating the registration and advisement of UW–Madison’s more than 1,000 registered student organizations (RSOs), as well as overseeing leadership development opportunities such as the Leadership Certificate Program, Student Leadership Program and Wisconsin Experience Bus Trip. 

Housed within the Wisconsin Union, the Office is led by Barb Kautz-Wittwer, interim director of student leadership and involvement.

“Our work is three-fold: cultivating student leaders, getting students involved on campus and registering and providing resources to student organizations,” Kautz-Wittwer said. “After surveying students and campus stakeholders, one thing that rang loud and clear was the need to better represent our role with student organizations. This new name — Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement — brings together all that we do and paints a clearer picture of how we serve students.”

SOLI remains dedicated to supporting students with leadership and connection opportunities on campus and beyond. 

“The Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement continues to provide students with integral opportunities to engage with campus and beyond, building real-world skills, fostering connections and creating a sense of community along the way,” said Mark Guthier, Wisconsin Union director and associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs. “We’re excited that the Office’s new name makes it even easier for students to discover these incredible resources, no matter where they are in their UW–Madison journey.”

Individuals can find more information regarding SOLI at soli.wisc.edu. 

About the Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement (formerly the Center for Leadership & Involvement)

The Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement (SOLI) assists University of Wisconsin–Madison students in intentionally connecting with the far-ranging leadership opportunities throughout campus, including student organizations. The Office supports students in making meaning of their leadership experiences and in developing leadership capacity and the ability to affect positive change. Learn more about SOLI at soli.wisc.edu. 

Dupaco Credit Union Employees Reap the Benefits of Giving Back

Dubuque, IA – This week is National Volunteer Week and Dupaco Credit Union is celebrating the impact the financial cooperative has had on the communities they serve. Logging 6,187 volunteer hours in 2024, Dupaco employees are choosing to make life better for others, by helping build homes, teach in classrooms, plant trees, clean up parks, donate blood, develop their communities, prepare healthy meals and much more.  

“It feels good to get out in our community and use my skills to help other people and organizations who may not have the resources. In my own small way, I’m serving a need for our community, I’m happy I get the opportunity to provide the help I can,” says Spencer Smith, Branch Manager at Dupaco. Smith chooses to help with the local economic development corporation in Peosta, Iowa. 

Dupaco employees don’t just walk the walk when it comes to volunteering. Their culture embodies it. Their policies promote it. And their actions add up to some impressive numbers.  

In 2024 alone: 

• Dupaco’s 602 employees volunteered a total of 6,187 hours. 
• Dupaco employees served on 170 nonprofit boards and committees 
• 256 Dupaco employees used a paid benefit in 2024 called Volunteer Time Off (or VTO), allowing them to take time off during the workday to lend a helping hand and volunteer in their community at an organization of their choice. 

That ‘feel good feeling’ mentioned by Smith is real, according to data from Mayoclinic.com. According to their studies, people who volunteer experience these benefits: 

• Improved physical and mental health — Volunteer activities keep people moving and thinking at the same time. Research also shows volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety. 
• Less stress and more positive/relaxed feelings – The release of the hormone dopamine contributes to feelings of lower stress. By spending time in service to others, volunteers report feeling a sense of meaning and appreciation, both given and received, which can have a stress-reducing effect. 
• Nurture new and existing relationships — Volunteering increases social interaction and helps build a support system based on common interests. 

Michelle Becwar, Community and Social Impact Manager, has spent the last 11 years of her career at Dupaco focusing on how the financial cooperative can create and foster community partnerships that benefit people inside and outside the organization. “Whether it’s through volunteer time off or by supporting nonprofits that help improve our communities, we’re working together to create a lasting impact and helping build strong communities,” she notes. 

Spencer adds that being part of an organization like Dupaco cultivates a powerful sense of satisfaction for his co-workers. “When we work together, whether it’s in the office or in the community, we’re helping fulfill our mission for a brighter community for all. It benefits us too. We know it makes us feel better, more connected with our peers and communities, and we have a greater sense of wellbeing. These are definitely reasons why I love working at Dupaco.” 

ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION  

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 173,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com. 

New UW-Madison research reveals a genetic influence on quitting smoking

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 17, 2025
CONTACT: Lauren Schmitz, llschmitz@wisc.edu

MADISON, Wis., – In a novel study that is among the first in economics to combine genetic information and data from a randomized controlled study, a team of researchers led by Associate Professor Lauren Schmitz of the La Follette School of Public Affairs identified that smoking cessation efforts may be less effective for individuals with a high genetic risk for smoking.

The National Bureau of Economic Research working paper, which also includes La Follette Professor Jason Fletcher as a co-author, finds that participants in the landmark Lung Health Study with more genetic variants that predisposed them to smoking addiction were less likely to  benefit from a five-year smoking cessation intervention program.

“While we have intuitively understood for some time that genes likely play a factor in making it easy for some to quit smoking while difficult for others, we didn’t have the capabilities to test this until quite recently,” Schmitz says. “This study leverages advances in statistical genetics to better understand the interplay between genes and behavior and hopefully improve treatment options.”

This study uses the polygenic index from 4,145 participants in the Lung Health Study, a randomized controlled trial conducted from 1989 to 1994 with heavy smokers between 35 and 60 who were diagnosed with early stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and were motivated to quit smoking.

A polygenic index is a weighted average of an individual’s genetic predisposition for a given trait, such as smoking addiction, based on the cumulative effects of measured genetic variants. Polygenic index measures have become an important tool for connecting genetic data with social outcomes in social science research.

Although both treatment groups in the Lung Health Study were 23% more likely to quit smoking on average, the success of the intervention declined by approximately 2.5% for every standard deviation increase in the polygenic index associated with the likelihood of beginning to smoke.

Smoking has declined in popularity in the US over the last several decades, with 2024 matching a historical low as only 11% of adults reported smoking cigarettes in the previous week. Despite the decrease in prevalence, smoking remains a significant public health concern.

“Tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the US. Precision medicine approaches that tailor smoking cessation efforts to individuals’ genes could help improve cessation outcomes in high-risk smokers,” Schmitz says.

Schmitz and Fletcher are leading scholars in the emerging field of social genomics, and core faculty members for the Initiative in Social Genomics at the La Follette School of Public Affairs.

The Initiative in Social Genomics integrates social science and genetic research to study how genes are linked with human behavior and socio-economic outcomes, how genes and environments interact, and how social conditions can influence humans all the way down to the molecular level.

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