History project blog | Division of Continuing Studies

UNIVERSITY of WISCONSIN-MADISON

Stories of lifelong learners and continuing studies

Who are these lifelong learners? What’s continuing studies? When did it originate at UW–Madison? Why does it matter? Get answers to these questions, and read inspiring stories about continuing studies students, faculty and staff.

Richardson with trombone in background

Summer Music Clinic success story: Trombonist Bill Richardson’s legacy of performing and teaching

Trombonist Bill Richardson’s legacy, from Summer Music Clinic to the White House and UW–Madison, inspiring generations of young musicians.

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Howard Martin

Remembering a champion of lifelong learning

Dean Howard Martin, UW–Madison pioneer and advocate for continuing education, remembered for his 42-year career and legacy of lifelong learning.

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Howard Martin with family and friends

Badger Ready helps Alex Smith continue grandfather’s lifelong learning legacy

Badger Ready helped Alex Smith finish his UW-Madison degree, continuing the lifelong learning vision of his grandfather, Howard Martin.

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Marge Engelman sitting at her kitchen table, flipping through her scrapbook

Marge Engelman at 98: Looking back on a lifetime of learning, serving and breaking barriers

Marge Engelman (98): Lifelong learner, barrier-breaking administrator, & fiber artist defied expectations to champion nontraditional students.

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A series of photographs and postcards spread out on a table

A summer tradition 140 years in the making

Since 1885, the University of Wisconsin–Madison has opened its doors each summer to students eager to continue their learning, explore new opportunities and experience summertime in Madison.

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A collage of an image of a mailbox beside another image of a man working on his computer.

Innovation + access: The evolution of technology in continuing education at UW–Madison

Long before Zoom classrooms and digital discussion boards, education traveled by mail. Envelopes packed with assignments and hand-graded feedback were the lifeblood of correspondence courses at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, starting in 1892 and continuing through the 1990s when the UW–Madison Division of Continuing Studies (DCS) came to be. 

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A collage of the DCS learner audience

Continuing education at UW–Madison

UW–Madison Motivational Interviewing courses helped these two professionals deepen connections, build empathy and inspire positive change.

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Summer Term students studying on the terrace from the 1970s

Get ahead with Summer Term, a campus tradition

Celebrate nearly 140 years of summer sessions by being part of this longstanding campus tradition and enrolling now for Summer Term 2024.

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A vanilla cake with Badger Ready written in frosting

Badger Ready students and staff celebrate 5th anniversary

Happy anniversary to the Badger Ready program, celebrating five years of increasing access to the university and welcoming returning adult students.

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Class of 2024 group photo

UW Odyssey Project celebrates 20 years of transformation through education

The UW Odyssey Project celebrates 20 years and invites the community to the Chazen Museum of Art for a celebratory event on April 20.

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A group of UW-Madison students posing for a picture by the lake

Visiting International Student Program celebrates 10 years of global connection

In recognition of its 10-year anniversary, VISP hosted a four-day celebration with program alumni, faculty and staff in activities ranging from a Badger football game to a dinner reception.

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