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Robert M. La Follette
School of Public Affairs
1225 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Telephone: 608.262.3581
Fax: 608.265.3233
Last updated:
August 18, 2011
© Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Alumni and Friends: La Follette Notes: Fall 2007
Orientation sets tone for La Follette School experience
Exploring curriculum, picnicking and a little painting brought new and continuing students together at the La Follette School fall orientation, setting the stage for the friendships that often form during the two years students spend in the program.
Orientation activities spanned five days and covered the nuts and bolts of being a student, plus lots of social events.
Donations from alumni and friends made some activities possible by covering food and beverage costs.
A picnic at Tripp Commons in Memorial Union followed a daylong session at which new students talked with faculty, staff and continuing students; learned about courses and curricula; and heard about career development opportunities.
La Follette School students paint a hallway at the Salvation Army shelter in Madison as part of the school's fall orientation.
The La Follette School Student Association added a few social and volunteer activities to the orientation agenda as a way to facilitate first- and second-year
students getting to know each other.
Students painted a hallway at the Lussier Teen Center and four rooms at the Salvation Army’s family shelter, both in Madison.
“I think that the experience will help to set the stage for a wide depth of experience for the La Follette community,” says Jennie Mauer, LSSA’s social chair.
The six who painted a hallway at the teen center had a great time, Mauer says. “It was nice to have a sense of accomplishment when the day was over. I also really enjoyed having an opportunity to interact with fellow students in a small-group setting and do something useful.”
The crew at the Salvation Army did such a good job on their four rooms that they were asked to return and finish another eight.
“At the end of the afternoon, the volunteer coordinator gathered us together to tell us more about what the Salvation Army does in Dane County—how they’re funded, what kinds of services they provide, etc.,” reports Alexis MacDonald, LSSA alumni chair.
Other events included a pub crawl, text book sale, potluck at professor Karen Holden’s house and another picnic after the community service day.
“We appreciate the contributions LSSA makes to orientation every year,” says Associate Director Menzie Chinn. “These opening activities encourage students to interact and help them form the kinds of the friendships and professional contacts that our alumni continue to enjoy.”