Wisconsin Union Directorate
Challenge
Accepted.
The stories of our nation’s service members have been part of the Wisconsin Union’s story for generations. A digital experience was developed to remember fellow UW-Madison attendees who bravely served their country and to create a space for alumni and students to reflect on the complex facets of war and conflict.
We were so moved by the ideas and the passion
with which ZEBRADOG came to the table and worked with us to create this.
Kelly DeHaven
Senior Director of Development UW Foundation
THE DETAILS
EXPERTISE
Donor Recognition
Experience Design
Experiential Design
Interactive Media Design / Development
Website Design
MARKET
Higher Education
Historic / Museums / Cultural Centers
The Gold Star Honor Roll is dedicated to the service members who gave their lives in conflict while enrolled as a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Made possible by a gift from the classes of ’63 and ’67, this interactive exhibit and companion website allow visitors to learn the stories behind these remarkable men and women.
This moving experience is located in the Memorial Union, which in 1928 was dedicated as a memorial to UW-Madison’s Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I service members. The original Memorial Union Gold Star Honor Roll featured the names of those who died in active duty inscribed on four wooden plaques on the walls of the Memorial Union’s Memorial Hall.
Honor Rolls are named for a tradition that began during WWI; when a family had a spouse, son, or daughter in the service, the family displayed a card with a simple blue star in the window. If the service member passed away in active duty, the card was replaced with a gold star.
This tradition continues today. A digital display was created in collaboration with the Wisconsin Union to honor UW-Madison service members who died in wars since WWI. It was critical the display has the ability to update information as it was received and that information be shared through a dedicated website.
This project is not over. It will probably never be over, because one service member unacknowledged is one service member too many. Help us tell the stories of UW-Madison’s fallen heroes.
HUZZAH!
