UW–Madison Student Death Reports: University Memorial Honours Students Remembered as Badgers

The University of Wisconsin–Madison community honours students who have passed away through its “Remembering Our Badgers” memorial and provides support for those affected by grief.

UW–Madison Remembers Students Through Its Badger Memorial

The University of Wisconsin–Madison community continues to recognize students who have passed away through memorial gatherings and campus support services. These remembrances give classmates, faculty, staff and loved ones an opportunity to honour the lives lost and reflect on the impact each student had on the university.

One of the university’s remembrance traditions is the “In Memoriam: Remembering Our Badgers” ceremony. The gathering at the Carillon Bell Tower provides an opportunity for the campus community to come together, remember former students and acknowledge the grief experienced by those who knew them.

The university’s memorial announcement named Aylen Bain, Kaedyn Bolin, Nicolas Castaneda, Nicholas Chmielewski, Natnael Shiferaw, Madilyn Vang and Roan Vaughan. It stated that eight students were being remembered, although only seven names appeared in the published list.

University Provides Mental Health and Grief Support

UW–Madison recognizes that a student death can affect friends, roommates, classmates, faculty members and the wider campus community. University Health Services offers confidential mental health assistance, counselling and crisis support.

Students and others concerned about a student’s wellbeing can contact:

• UHS 24-hour crisis support: 608-265-5600, option 9.

• Access appointments: 608-265-5600, option 2.

• Dean of Students Office: 608-263-5700.

Remembering the Lives Behind the Badger Community

A university is more than classrooms and academic achievements. It is a community shaped by friendships, personal experiences, ambitions and relationships.

Memorial gatherings provide an opportunity to recognize students as individuals and acknowledge the sadness experienced by those who shared important moments with them. They also remind the campus community of the importance of compassion, connection and supporting one another through difficult times.

As UW–Madison remembers its Badgers, the focus remains on honouring their lives, respecting their families’ privacy and ensuring that students experiencing grief know where to find help.