Inclusive Excellence
Creating Community at UW–Madison

Multicultural Homecoming 2018 – in photos

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Current students and Badger alumni came out for UW–Madison’s 2018 Multicultural Homecoming events from Oct. 17 to Oct. 20. Guests of the Multicultural Homecoming Committee included alumni renowned choreographer and producer Frank Gatson Jr. (’80); dancer, choreographer and educator Rebecca Arends (’04); chef entrepreneurs Gabriel Stulman (‘03) and Matt Kebbekus (‘03); as well as music and dance performances by June’s Diary, the Band Bazaar and many more.  Other guests — of course — included the many alumni who came from near and far to celebrate college memories, reconnect with long-time friends  and enjoy the reunion tradition.  The celebration was a joint venture between the Division of Diversity, Equity and Educational Achievement (DDEEA) and Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA).

We hope to see you all again next year!

RedTalk

Featuring Frank Gatson Jr. (’80) and Rebecca Arends (’04) on Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, 330 North Orchard Street.

Four people are seated in red chairs in front of an audience at the RedTalk. The people are Anthony Ward, Frank Gatson Jr., Rebecca Arends and Nia Scott.
UW–Madison alumni Frank Gatson Jr. (’80), center left, and Rebecca Arends (’04), center right, talk about their experiences at UW and in the dance industry at the 2018 Multicultural Homecoming RedTalk, moderated by students Anthony Ward, left, and Nia Scott, right, at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
Dozens of audience members sitting in chairs look at the RedTalk speakers, who are not included in the photo.
Dozens of UW–Madison students, alumni, staff and faculty attended the RedTalk with Frank Gatson Jr. and Rebecca Arends. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
Frank Gatson Jr. points at someone out of frame while Rebecca Arends smiles looking at the same person.
It was a night full of laughs and real talk as Frank Gatson Jr. and Rebecca Arends regaled the audience with stories from their experiences rising up the ranks of the dance industry. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA

Multicultural Homecoming Networking Reception

Featuring a panel discussion with distinguished alumni Gatson and Arends along with Gabriel Stulman (’03) and Matthew Kebbekus (’03) of the Happy Cooking Hospitality food chain in New York on Thursday, Oct. 18, at Heritage Hall in Camp Randall Stadium from 6 to 8 p.m.

A panel discussion with speakers sitting on barstools. Speakers are Frank Gatson Jr., Rebecca Arends, Gabriel Stulman and Matthew Kebbekus with moderator Nia Scott.
From left: Frank Gatson Jr., Rebecca Arends, Gabriel Stulman and Matthew Kebbekus speak at a panel discussion with moderator Nia Scott. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
Panelists sit on stools facing an audience standing around small tables in a conference room in Camp Randall Stadium.
Panelists addressed an audience of invited guests at the Multicultural Homecoming Networking Reception at Camp Randall on Thursday. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA

Dance Master Class

UW–Madison dance students were treated to a master class with guest instructor Rebecca Arends on Friday, Oct. 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. in Lathrop Hall.

Rebecca Arends demonstrates dance moves to a class of eight students in a dance studio.
Rebecca Arends teaches a master class of dance students in Lathrop Hall on Oct. 19. VALERIA DAVIS, DDEEA
Rebecca Arends gestures and speaks while providing feedback to a dance student.
Rebecca Arends gives some notes to a dance student. VALERIA DAVIS, DDEEA

Multicultural Homecoming Reception

The Multicultural Homecoming Reception was a fun social mixer in two locations in the Memorial Union on Friday, Oct. 19, that gave alumni and students a chance to reconnect ahead of the featured ReUnite: The ReUnion Experience concert later that night.

People gather in a large ballroom in the Memorial Union listening to Patrick J. Sims give some remarks from a podium at the back of the room.
AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
A woman poses for a photo with a stilt walker dressed in a flashy pink outfit with sheer fabric wings on sticks held out to her sides.
AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
A group of alumni gather for a group photo along with Patrick J. Sims at the alumni reception.
AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
Eight alumni women pose holding up a hand symbol for their sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, on a red carpet in front of a backdrop with logos for Ho-Chunk Gaming, CUNA Mutual Group, Rough Sportswear and the DDEEA.
AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA

ReUnite: The ReUnion Experience Homecoming Concert

Hundreds of alumni and students turned out for a concert featuring June’s Diary, the Band Bazaar, Rebecca Arends, comedian T. Murph and a slew of UW performers at the ReUnite: The ReUnion Experience Homecoming Concert at Memorial Union’s Shannon Theatre on Friday, Oct. 19.

Comedian T. Murphy stands on state holding a microphone with his body in an amusing position.
Comedian T. Murph performs at the Multicultural Homecoming Concert on Oct. 19. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
Members of the audience laugh while watching T. Murph perform.
Members of the audience laugh while watching T. Murph perform. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
Five members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity stand on stage during a step routine. Four members are looking at the fifth one, who is blowing a white powder into the air while posing standing on one leg.
The Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity performs a stepping routine at the Multicultural Homecoming Concert on Oct. 19. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
Rebecca Arends poses with her hand over her forehead while looking up with an emotional expression on her face during a dance routine.
Rebecca Arends performs a contemporary dance routine at the Multicultural Homecoming Concert on Oct. 19. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
A black woman singer with long, blonde hair holds a mic while singing with the Band Bazaar.
The lead singer of the Band Bazaar performs at the Multicultural Homecoming Concert on Oct. 19. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
A member of June's Diary stands looking out at the audience with dramatic red and purple lighting on her and behind her.
June’s Diary performs at the Multicultural Homecoming Concert on Oct. 19. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
A member of June's Diary sings into a microphone with eyes closed while sitting on a stool surrounded by other members of the group on stage.
June’s Diary performs at the Multicultural Homecoming Concert on Oct. 19. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
The five members of June's Diary sing and dance on stage.
June’s Diary performs at the Multicultural Homecoming Concert on Oct. 19. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA

Tailgate and Watch Party

Hundreds of alumni, including dozens from the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Epsilon Delta chapter — which celebrates it’s 50th anniversary at UW–Madison this year — attended a free tailgate and football game watch party at the Pyle Center on Saturday, Oct. 20.

Dozens of people in Badgers gear sit at tables watching a screen showing the Badgers football game.
Alumni gathered to watch Wisconsin play Illinois at the Pyle Center on Saturday, Oct. 20. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
A woman wearing an Alpha Kappa Alpha sweatshirt has a surprised look on her face while playing Jenga.
People played games while enjoying free drinks and food at the Multicultural Homecoming Watch Party. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
Four alumni members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority perform a coordinated stroll routine around a room.
Four alumni members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority perform a coordinated stroll routine around the room. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
Seven alumni members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity hold up a hand symbol of their frat while posing for the camera.
Alumni of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity pose at the tailgate party. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
People play a card game at a round table.
AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
Dozens of women stand and sit in a posed portrait for the Epsilon Delta chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Members of the Epsilon Delta chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority – including several charter members seated in the first row – celebrated their 50th anniversary at Multicultural Homecoming this year. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
Three people talk while standing at the party.
Trent and Cathy Jackson talk with Chief Diversity Officer Patrick J. Sims at the party. AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA
Two women pose for a selfie photo using one of their phones.
AMADOU KROMAH FOR THE DDEEA