FOR UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON ALUMNI AND FRIENDS FALL 2020 Badgers vs. the Pandemic Meet UW heroes in the fight against COVID-19. Page 22 Vision Protesters kneel near Memorial Library, showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Following the killing of George Floyd by Minneap- olis police on Memorial Day weekend, demonstra- tions began in cities around the country, including Madison, where they centered on the capitol and State Street. Photo by Jeff Miller On Wisconsin 3 THE “DIDN’T MISS A SPOT” POLICY KnowYourDrive® rewards polished driving with big savings. You take the wheel when it comes to your savings with KnowYourDrive. Get a close look at your driving habits and free access to tools to improve your driving behaviors for a bigger discount. Because you should get rewarded for your attention to detail. Sign up today and get a 10% discount on auto insurance. Get a quote. Find an Agent. AmFam.com. American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2020 018549 – 6/20 Some products not available in every state. Program discounts will vary based on driving behavior. Discount does not apply to fixed fees that are part of your policy. Discounts may vary by state, vehicle, policy form and company underwriting the auto policy. Discounts may not apply to all coverages. Discounts are subject to regulatory approval; some discounts may not be available in all states. Contents Volume 121, Number 3 Shakuntala Makhijani examines Lab mix Beau at the Dane County Humane Society. See page 46. BRYCE RICHTER BRYCE DEPARTMENTS 2 Vision 7 Communications 9 First Person OnCampus 11 News 13 Bygone Remote Learning 14 Calculation Pandemic Financial Fallout 17 Conversation LaVar Charleston 18 Exhibition Online Art 20 Contender Tamara Moore OnAlumni FEATURES 52 News 53 Tradition Multicultural 22 Heroes of the Pandemic Student Center From treating COVID-19 patients at the height of New 54 Class Notes York’s crisis to 3D-printing face shields, everyday Badger 60 Diversions heroes are helping where they can. 63 Conversation Jim Lovell 66 Destination Ian’s Pizza 30 Journalism’s Last Best Hope RICHTER BRYCE Thanks to resourceful young reporters, local news makes a comeback. By Jenny Price ’96 36 Can We Trust the Polls? The UW’s Elections Research Center has an innovative plan for analyzing the presidential race. By Preston Schmitt ’14 42 “Ratso” Gets His Due Living legend Writer Larry “Ratso” Sloman MS’72 has worked closely with Jim Lovell. celebrities ranging from Howard Stern and Mike Tyson to Bob See page 63. Dylan — and now he’s chasing his own rock-star dream. By Hugh Hart Black Lives Matter on State Street. 46 It’s About the Animals — and See page 12. Humans, Too Sandra Newbury DVM’03 heads UW–Madison’s Shelter Medicine Program, which helps animal shelters save more NASA pets’ lives — and improve staff welfare at the same time. Cover Illustration by By Stephanie Haws ’15 Joe McKendry On Wisconsin 5 6 On Wisconsin FALL 2020 Communications Sterling Hall Memories campus alphabetically, but it was SOCIAL SOLIDARITY [In regard to “The Blast That of no strategic importance vis-à- In the aftermath of George Changed Everything,” Summer vis the Vietnam War. Moreover, Floyd’s death, UW–Madison 2020 On Wisconsin]: I’m a phar- no right-minded individual would campus leaders, student macy graduate, and on the night want to impede the improvement organizations, and alumni of the bombing, I was working as of beer! the night pharmacist at the old David Pomeranz ’77 took to social media to call for UW Hospital, right across Char- Brookline, Massachusetts justice and amplify the Black ter Street from Sterling Hall. Yes, Lives Matter movement. I was actually a firsthand witness Two years ago, we attended Below is a sampling of tweets. and most likely the first person the Madison “Sixties Reunion.” on the scene immediately after Imagine our surprise to discover Student Affairs the explosion. As with the other a plaque [on Bascom Hill near the @UW_StudentLife alumni quoted in your article, the Sifting and Winnowing plaque] We know that the events of the impact of that era and bombing called Reform and Revolt. [It] past week have been painful, had a profound impact on my life states that our protests mobilized and many of you are hurting. and remains a vivid memory. “thousands for and against the We are here for you. We are Steven Schmidt ’68 war.” We do not remember a here to provide support and Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin single demonstration for the war, resources, and we are here to only against. This [is] a distortion build community. The pressure wave from the of history. In addition, the plaque bomb cracked my bedroom states that the bombing of the window and left me on the floor, Army Math Research Center put UW–Madison Diversity short of breath. Cold War–era “a tragic conclusion on a period @uw_diversity conditioned response led me to of protest.” Undeniably tragic as We’ve put together a list of wonder “was this it?” Once the that was, it did not put a conclu- resources for our White com- newspaper articles were written sion on a period of protest. We munity members who want to and the tragedy fully realized, continued to demonstrate and educate themselves about sys- further protest felt pointless, and protest until our activism helped tems of racial oppression and our collective prospects both in to end the war in 1975. how they can change behaviors and outside the university felt Bette Gordon and 28 others; and become more effective very dark indeed. There was still for their names, visit the com- antiracist allies. diversity.wisc. some joy to be found in music, ments section for First Person at edu/resources-for-white-allies yes — but beyond that, we draft- onwisconsin.uwalumni.com. age male students in particular felt, having survived strontium Escape Artist Black Cultural Center isotopes in our milk, the polio As a Gallistel granddaughter, I @UWMadisonBCC pandemic of our childhood, and grew up spending time at Camp The BCC is in solidarity with the 1957 flu epidemic (from which Gallistella [“Paradise on Men- those in the fight for Black I had almost passed) … what was dota,” Summer 2020]. I loved liberation sparked recently by to be our hope? For me it was every bit of it, especially singing the murder of George Floyd. immersion in environmental around the campfire. I was less We acknowledge the lives of studies — thank you, UW, for enthusiastic about the firm rules Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, that opportunity. Hang on, stu- Grandma maintained, which Ahmaud Arbery and the many dents, to what you have! required me to leave through the others. Remain connected as John Laumer window one memorable evening. we gather resources & organize Returning the same way later spaces of support. My father, Y. Pomeranz, was on, I appeared to escape notice. hired in July 1970 as director of Lucie Seward the U.S. Barley and Malt Labora- Russell Wilson tory. Upon hearing of the bomb- Wrestling Hero @DangeRussWilson ing of the Army Math Research The documentary Wrestled BLACK LIVES MATTER. Center, our mother was sure that Away [mentioned in “A Story #BlackOutTuesday “they” would go after the Barley of Almosts,” Summer 2020] is and Malt Lab next. It took all of terrific. I highly recommend it my brother’s and my best efforts and am thankful for the story of Rose Lavelle to convince her that “they” were wrestler Lee Kemp. He is one of @roselavelle not going to do that. Yes, the my heroes. #BlackLivesMatter lab was the next U.S. facility on Kevin Phillips #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd On Wisconsin 7 FREE SHIPPING* OFFER! Use Code: FALL2020 Valid thru 10/31/20 * Free ground shipping to a contiguous U.S. delivery address on online orders. Must enter FALL2020 in the “Apply a promo code” box to receive offer. Excludes previous purchases, Lands’ End items, textbooks, all Standard Chair of Gardner products, and drop-ship items. All items with a handling charge will receive free ground shipping but handling charge will still be applied. This offer can’t be combined with other offers. Contact the Online Sales Dept with questions: [email protected] or 1-800-993-2665. Exp: 10/31/20 (11:59pm - CST). LUXURY LIVING is just the start. Along with resort-like services and a continuum of on-site healthcare, Capitol Lakes is proud to offer residents spacious, beautifully appointed apartment homes, with one- and two- bedroom floor plan options to suit your lifestyle and budget. Live every day surrounded by modern comfort and style, with the finest finishes and amenities as well as incredible views of the downtown Madison cityscape. Schedule your video tour today! Call 608-283-2046 or visit us online at retirement.tours/clk Capitol Lakes is a Pacific Retirement Services community and an equal housing opportunity. 8 On Wisconsin FALL 2020 First Person Dear fellow Badgers, Fall 2020 As we begin a new fall semester, we are facing challenges few of us could have imagined one year ago. I know the pandemic has impacted COEDITORS Niki Denison, Wisconsin Foundation and the lives of everyone in our Badger community, bringing disruption to Alumni Association (WFAA) all and tragedy to some. Dean Robbins, University Communications Here at the UW, COVID-19 has forced us to rethink and rework all PUBLISHER of our operations, from classrooms to dorms to research labs. Wisconsin Foundation and When we’re immersed in the day-to-day demands of a crisis, we all Alumni Association need to pause occasionally and remember why our work is important.