2026 Schedule

How race shadows America’s anniversaries

Princeton University professor Eddie Glaude Jr. discusses his new book, “America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation’s Anniversaries,” with the Rev. Alex Gee, founder of the Center for Black Excellence and Culture. Glaude’s book focuses on continued backlashes against Black citizens of the U.S. from the end of Reconstruction in the 1870s and since.

Event sponsored by TruStage, book signing sponsored by Madison Community Foundation

‘Walt Whitman’s American Dream’

A staged reading of a powerful 90-minute ensemble play written by Sarah Maraniss Vander Schaaff, with eight actors, that illuminates the life and times of America’s poet, weaving literature, history, journalism, philosophy and politics through a story that raises issues as resonant today as they were in Whitman’s time. A reception will precede the event starting at 5 p.m. in the Union’s Main Lounge.

Heroine on the high seas: Two tales of Mary Ann Brown Patten

Playwright Erica Berman draws on the real exploits of 19-year-old Mary Ann Brown Patten in her play “Steady She Goes,” which Madison’s Forward Theater produces in a world premiere this September in the Overture Center Playhouse. Tilar J. Mazzeo’s 2025 book about Brown Patten — the first female commander of an American merchant vessel, in 1856 — draws on historic journals as well as her own expedition to Antarctica. Forward Theater artistic director Jen Uphoff Gray moderates this discussion about two very different interpretations of Brown Patten’s extraordinary story.

Presented by Forward Theater

Closing the Data Gap: Tracking national health trends from cyclosporiasis to GLP-1 usage

Access to up-to-date health data is as important now as ever, even as traditional sources for data on disease outbreaks and healthcare utilization become less reliable. Learn how Epic Research is filling that gap with its recently launched Health Alerts, new data trackers showing GLP-1 usage and obesity trends, and regular studies on timely topics such as how prediction markets and legalized gambling are affecting rates of gambling disorders.

Presented by Epic

An evening with Jane Alexander

The award-winning actress from “All The President’s Men” to “The Great White Hope” to “Eleanor and Franklin” discusses her career not only on stage and screen but also as a leading environmentalist and supporter of the arts. In conversation with David Maraniss.

Special thanks to Nancy Gage for underwriting this session.

Preparing Wisconsin’s workforce for a changing economy

Artificial intelligence, demographic shifts and evolving employer needs are reshaping what it takes to succeed. As Dane County and Wisconsin continue to grow, what skills will workers need not only to get a job, but to build family-sustaining careers? This conversation will explore the durable skills employers value most, how colleges and training providers are adapting to a rapidly changing labor market, and what pathways can help more learners access economic opportunity. Session preceded by reception starting at 5 p.m.

Presented by Ascendium Education Group

‘Yet Here I Am’

Jonathan Capehart of MS NOW and the “PBS News Hour” examines the issues of democracy and the Trump era as well as his gripping memoir about making his way as a gay Black man in American journalism. In conversation with David Maraniss.

Can Madison get this right? Schools, talent and our city’s future

Madison is entering a period of rapid population growth that will significantly affect the Madison Metropolitan School District. This discussion will highlight how MMSD is proactively preparing for this future and why public funding alone will not be enough to meet the challenges. A new level of public-private partnership will be required, with philanthropy playing a major role.

Presented by Madison Public Schools Foundation

‘This Land is Your Land’

One of our great historians, Beverly Gage, the Yale professor who won the Pulitzer Prize for her brilliant biography of J. Edgar Hoover, roamed the country in a fascinating geographic search for lessons in how America’s past has shaped the present. In conversation with David Maraniss.

‘The Political Scene’ live podcast

The three members of “The Political Scene,” The New Yorker’s national politics podcast, record their show in front of a live audience for the first time west of the Hudson River.

A Celebration of Journalism with Jacob Soboroff and David Maraniss

The violence of ICE, the cruelty of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, the fires that ravaged his native Los Angeles, the politics of the midterms and beyond – as a leading journalist and weekend anchor on MS NOW, Soboroff has covered them all with his deeply reported and irrepressible style. In conversation with David Maraniss. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., music, cocktails and food included with ticket.

AI in cancer research and care: Friend or foe?

Join leading oncologists, artificial intelligence scientists and research pioneers for a discussion about how machine learning is transforming patient outcomes, streamlining drug discovery and rewriting clinical workflows. Hosted buffet precedes the session starting at 4 p.m.

Presented by UW Health-Carbone Cancer Center

The Badass Caucus on the state of American politics

Mikie Sherrill, Elissa Slotkin and Abigail Spanberger were all Democrats elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018 and came with backgrounds in national defense. They became friends and have since advanced to more prominent positions as the governor of New Jersey, a U.S. senator from Michigan and the governor of Virginia, respectively. In this extended session, they will discuss the state of American politics with Karen Tumulty of the Washington Post.

Special thanks to Joe and Mary Ellyn Sensenbrenner for underwriting this session.

Ben Wikler on the future of the Democrats and democracy

In conversation with former Washington Post Chief Correspondent Dan Balz, former Wisconsin Democratic Chair Ben Wikler will talk about his best-selling book, “This Is the Plan,” and the challenges ahead for the country and his party.

How Minneapolis Beat ICE

The U.S. government sent more than 3,000 federal immigration and border patrol officers to the Twin Cities, targeting Somali and Southeast Asian communities. Three people were shot, two fatally, and over 3,500 people were detained, including 70 children. In this conversation moderated by Samuel Freedman, panelists Chao Xiong of the Minneapolis-based news organization Sahan Journal, and Gal Beckerman, author of “How to Be a Dissident,” discuss this moment and what it says about the path the United States is on.

The new politics of 2026 and 2028

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, is considered one of the most politically savvy members of Congress. A progressive with a big vision for America and a record as an ardent defender of democracy, he is also a deeply experienced policymaker who has earned praise from both sides of the political aisle. Van Hollen will share his sense of what is possible in our politics and in Congress as the country approaches some of the most critical elections in American history. Van Hollen will be introduced by U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, who has worked closely with the senator on political and policy initiatives.

Taking on wars, AI and the Epstein class

U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna of California has led the fight to force the release of the Epstein files, in what was broadly seen as the most significant congressional revolt of Donald President Trump’s second term. Khanna has become a leading anti-war voice and an outspoken advocate for taxing billionaires and establishing policies that benefit American workers. A former top aide to President Barack Obama on tech issues, Khanna is considered one of Congress’ most serious thinkers on AI regulation. He’ll explain why he believes the U.S. should borrow from FDR’s New Deal enthusiasm to initiate “a new economic patriotism.”

Gallery exhibition opening & welcome by Lilada Gee

Life and politics viewed through the lenses of three prominent Black, female photographers and leaders. Welcome by Lilada Gee at 4:45 p.m.

Session sponsored by The Camera Company, Thursday events sponsored by Summit Credit Union

Greentree: The ties that bind

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photojournalist Angela Peterson presents her O’Brien Fellowship project, focusing on gaining the trust of underserved communities and sharing the richness of their stories. Moderated by Enjoyiana Nururdin.

Thursday sessions sponsored by Summit Credit Union

Empowering Black storytellers

Polly Irungu, a former White House photographer and photo editor, will discuss her career and how she founded the Black Women Photographers network to give Black and African women artists representation and to dismantle barriers to recognition, visibility and opportunity. In conversation with Enjoyiana Nururdin.

Thursday sessions sponsored by Summit Credit Union

Witness to history

Sharon Farmer was the first Black woman to serve as a White House photographer, and under President Bill Clinton became the first woman to be the director of the Office of White House Photography. She’ll talk about her life and work in a conversation with Polly Irungu.

Thursday sessions sponsored by Summit Credit Union

Twin Cities to Madison: A shared reckoning

Against a backdrop of photographs by Ilana Bar-av, Peter DiCampo, Ruthie Hauge, Chris Lotten, Leah Millis and Owen Ziliak capturing both Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities and the fatal shooting of Madison native Corey Ruiz, poets and writers will share lyrics of witness about this dark period in recent memory.

Thursday sessions sponsored by Summit Credit Union

Coffee and check-in

Welcome table, raffle entry, and students who signed up in advance for a portfolio review will get a time and the name of the professsional(s) reviewing their portfolios.

Gearing up to get to work

Receive a beginner’s guide to gear and educational discounts from a Roberts Camera expert.

Friday sessions sponsored by University Research Park and in partnership with UW-Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Social media for journalists

Learn best practices for amplifying stories on social media platforms. Useful for managers, editors, reporters and photographers.

Friday sessions sponsored by University Research Park and in partnership with UW-Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Same beat, different lens

A panel of Madison photographers who work in the same building but for different newsrooms talk about maintaining mutual respect while still making their best images.

Friday sessions sponsored by University Research Park and in partnership with UW-Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Student portfolio reviews and lunch

Signup required for portfolio review. Lunch included for participating students and reviewers only.

Journalism in hostile environments

Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Leah Millis, who has worked in Ukraine and covered the Jan. 6 insurrection, talks about how to assess risk and prepare for reporting and photographing in hostile environments.

Friday sessions sponsored by University Research Park and in partnership with UW-Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Stop the Bleed certification course

In this session, learn life-saving techniques to control severe bleeding in emergency situations. Led by Mitch Reuter of Moraine Park Technical College and Badger EMS, a volunteer emergency medical services organization at UW-Madison.

Friday sessions sponsored by University Research Park and in partnership with UW-Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Visual storytelling, leveled up

Hear ProPublica visuals editor Peter DiCampo explain how to strengthen visual storytelling skills, whether you’re an editor, photographer, designer or illustrator.

Friday sessions sponsored by University Research Park and in partnership with UW-Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Finding clarity in conflict

Fresh from a reporting trip to Palestine, Jordanian American photographer Tanya Habjouqa reflects on finding the frame amid ongoing violence.

Friday sessions sponsored by University Research Park and in partnership with UW-Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Lakefront after-party

Open networking for students and professionals. All welcome – drinks and food not provided.