For me, answering the question “Why WASB?” is about reflecting on what drew me in and the gratitude I’ve held onto ever since.
Although I grew up in Minnesota, I’ve been a Badger since the day I was born. My parents met in Physics 103, and I’ve dreamt of continuing the Badger tradition for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I always formed unlikely connections when someone noticed me wearing my mom’s Wisconsin Alumi sweatshirt and excitedly struck up a conversation. After constantly bonding with strangers over this shared identity, I always knew I wanted to be a part of a community with such a contagious spirit.
When I began my first year of college, I came to campus armed with so much theoretical Badger spirit, but over time, I felt like I lacked the types of friendships that would make me feel genuinely connected to campus in the way I had hoped to be. I was deeply interested in the topics I learned about in my classes, and I loved the ability to go from exploring the greater Madison area to retreating to the summer-camp-esque vibe of my dorm in Kronshage. Still, I wanted to expedite the process of finding my people. Everything else about my college experience seemed to just click for me, but socially, I was relatively stuck in my introverted ways and needed a way out… fast.
Enter WASB! Mid-semester of my freshman year, I decided to attend an open house for the student organization that my older sister had been raving about since she joined two years prior. Despite feeling apprehensive about stepping on her toes, I was drawn in by the welcoming and enthusiastic atmosphere. I immediately got the sense that I would be able to find my own place in the group. After hearing more about WASB’s structure and membership requirements, I felt like this was an opportunity to really push myself out of my comfort zone.
Flash forward two years, and joining WASB has been one of the best decisions of my college experience. Though my older sister and I spent three semesters together on WASB, I have always felt like people truly see and value me for who I am, independent of the impact she made on this organization. No community is perfect, but this is a space where I can be myself, with people dedicated to supporting one another and facing challenges together. Among these 65 individuals, I have never felt such a strong sense of belonging, where the strength of our relationships pushes us to hold one another accountable as we collaborate on event planning, community outreach, and internal projects. Being able to share this with my sister only made it that much more meaningful.
Beyond the social aspects, taking on new roles within WASB has helped me grow more confident in myself and my professional abilities. From figuring out how to align student voice with the Wisconsin Alumni Association brand as the Social Media Chair, to planning an event for the nation’s largest alcohol- and cost-free celebration on the All Campus Party Team, and now finding ways to revamp our blog as the WASBlog/Website Chair, I’ve gained valuable skills that translate well to my academic and career-related endeavors. Through the work that we do to connect Badgers past, present, and future, I am constantly reminded of what makes this school so special, and I get to help enhance that student experience for others.
Though I was once able to joke with my hometown friends that I had an “incognito mode” in Madison, as I could easily go all day without seeing anyone I knew, WASB changed that for me in the best possible way. Since getting off the bus from my first retreat, I probably haven’t gone more than a couple of hours without seeing or hearing from a fellow member. WASB is what turned Madison from a place where I could blend into the crowd to one where I belong and can live out the Badger pride I grew up admiring.
If you resonate with my story or are curious about WASB, join us for our WASB 101 info session on October 22nd. Applications open November 10th—stay tuned!
By Ali Browne
Website/WASBlog Chair, Marketing Team