Brittingham Viking Organization - Wisconsin Alumni Association

Brittingham Viking Organization55th Annual Convention in MadisonSeptember 18–21, 2008Welcome Back to Madison!This year’s Viking Convention will be hosted in Madison. We welcome you backto campus for a weekend of golf, history, great food and Viking camaraderie.The following schedule of events, as well as introductions and pictures of yourViking hosts, can be found online at uwalumni.com/bvo.Convention Schedule of EventsThursday, September 18, 2008Check-in at Wisconsin Alumni Association650 North Lake Street, Madison8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.Stop by the front desk to pick up your welcome packet.Golf Tournament and Lunch at University Ridge (pre-registration required)Dress: Golf Attire11:30 a.m. Transportation pickup at WAA, 650 N. Lake St.12:00–5:00 p.m. Golf6:00 p.m. Dropoff at WAAHost: Aaron RutkowskiThe 2008 Brittingham Cup tournament will take place at University Ridge golf course,which got its name from the landscape features formed when the last remaining glaciers ofthe ice age retreated from central North America. It sits upon a terminal moraine where theWisconsin Glacier stopped, forming the backbone of the ridge that separates the land intorolling hills and valleys. Robert Trent Jones designed the course to be player-friendly, butalso to be challenging enough to host some of the most prestigious NCAA and amateurchampionships.Wisconsin Welcome Dinner and ReceptionDress: Casual (indoor and outdoor)Memorial Union, Main Lounge6:00–9:00 p.m.Hosts: Beth Kubly, Tessa Michaelson, Nicole Rybeck and Emily SternJeff Miller, University CommunicationsThe 2008 Annual Convention will formally begin with a welcome dinner and receptionheld in the majestic Main Lounge of Memorial Union. Founded in 1907, the Union is theheart and soul of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Beginning at 6 p.m. witha cocktail cash bar, Vikings and guests can pick up convention name badges and mix andmingle with old friends (and Bucky Badger!). At 7 p.m., the event hosts will give a 30-minute“Brittingham Legacy” slideshow. This presentation is intended to complement and extend onthe Ripples on the Water DVD from the 2003 Annual Convention in Madison. A traditionalWisconsin dinner will follow the slideshow, with an opportunity to take in the sunset from areserved balcony overlooking the Terrace on Lake Mendota.Friday, September 19, 2008Check-in at Wisconsin Alumni Association650 North Lake Street, Madison8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.Stop by the front desk to pick up your welcome packet.

BVO Convention MeetingDress: Casual (indoor)Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street, Madison9:00–11:00 a.m.Host: Tessa MichaelsonThe annual Brittingham Viking Organization business meeting will take place at thePyle Center, located next to UW-Madison’s Red Gym in the heart of campus. Wewill gather in the auditorium and have a light catered breakfast. During the meeting,we will examine the annual report and budget, conduct elections and review ongoingtasks of the BVO. Special attention will be directed at a review of the seven scholarshipprograms and finances and examination of the updated scholarship manual.For Vikings interested in pleasure rather than in business, a host of opportunitiesabound on and near campus. Taking a walking tour, visiting the Chazen Art Museumor touring the Capitol building are some of the options available to Vikings and theirguests on Friday morning.BVO and Sigma Phi Join Luncheon and SpeakerDress: Casual (indoor)Memorial Union, Tripp Commons11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.Hosts: Sam Moore and Pete HolmgrenCampus Greek life has played a large role in the lives of many Vikings over the years.With a significant overlap of Vikings and Sigs on this reunion weekend, a joint eventwas a logical idea. What better venue for socializing, dining, and discussing than TrippCommons?Whether you’re coming directly from the business meeting or a morning on your own,we’ll rendezvous at the Union for a tasty meal and stimulating food for thought providedby the keynote speaker. Directly following the luncheon, Vikings will depart for theafternoon bus tour.Brittingham Family Sites Tour with photos and ceremonyDress: Casual (indoor and outdoor)2:00 p.m. Bus pickup at Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.4:00 p.m. Bus dropoff at WAAHosts: Beth Kubly and Jenny WoyakThe Brittingham family has benefited both the city of Madison and the Universityof Wisconsin-Madison in many ways, both publicly and privately for almost a century,and for long after family members have lived here. The 2008 BVO convention’sheritage tour will visit three important locations: the Viking runestone; the Lincolnstatue on Bascom Hill; and “Dunmoven”, the Brittingham family mansion. At eachlocation, we’ll hear a short talk about the history of each landmark. While at the Brittinghammansion, now used as a residence for the university president, we’ll have theopportunity to tour the grounds before attending a special commemoration ceremony.A formal group photo will also be arranged to capture and conclude the heritage tour.This symbolic event is not to be missed!

BVO Formal DinnerDress: Formal Wear (black tie/evening gowns; indoor)Madison Club5 East Wilson Street, Madison6:00 p.m.–MidnightHosts: Beth Kubly, Emily Stern, Tessa Michaelson and Kjersten BakkeCap Friday off with style at the BVO Formal Dinner at the Madison Club. Dress toimpress for this delightful evening featuring fabulous food and drink, unforgettableentertainment and great company. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m., followed by a gourmetdinner at 7 p.m. Dinner will feature speeches given by the recent scholars, traditionaldrinking songs and aquavit for all. The gala evening will be topped off with dancingto music from across the decades provided by the locally known dueling pianists PianoFondue.Jeff Miller, University Communications (above photos)Saturday, September 20, 2008Coaches Luncheon and VIP Tour of Camp Randall StadiumDress: Casual/Badger Spirit (indoor)Camp Randall Stadium, Heritage Hall11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.Hosts: Pete Holmgren and Kjersten BakkeShuttle service from Concourse Hotel to Camp Randall beginning at 10:30 a.m.Due to events out of our control, the UW athletic department cancelled the Badgerfootball game slated for this Saturday. Pushing disappointment aside, a special eventhas been created in its place. Viking extraordinaire Ted Kellner has arranged for aprivate visit to the football headquarters at Camp Randall, including an intimate tourof the facilities and lunch with former coach Barry Alvarez and current coach BretBielema. While we regret the chance to jump around and tailgate, we are excited tooffer this unique football experience specially arranged for the Vikings. On Wisconsin!Lakeside Picnic DinnerDress: Casual (indoor)5:00–8:00 p.m.Hosts: Beth Kubly, Hannah Kirking and Kjersten BakkeShuttle service to and from Concourse Hotel to Beth Kubly’s residence,629 Woodward Drive, beginning at 4:30 p.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m.In addition to being known as a football-loving town, Madison is admired for itsperch on the isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. We’ll spend thelate afternoon and twilight hours at Beth Kubly’s lakeside properties on the shadednorthern shore of Lake Mendota. Guests will have the opportunity to dine al frescoor underneath a canopy tent. This leisurely event will allow for long conversations,lawn games, and lots of laughter. Folks will also have the opportunity for a finalprivate rehearsal before the talent show.BVO Talent Show and Dance PartyDress: Casual (indoor)Concourse Hotel1 West Dayton Street, Madison8:00 p.m.–Midnight

Hosts: Nicole Rybeck, Tessa Michaelson and Corey HadeSaturday evening’s entertainment will surely go down in Viking history as a conventionfavorite. Following the lakeside picnic dinner, we’ll reconvene at the beautiful MadisonConcourse Hotel for a inaugural night of impressive talent. Our very own BrittinghamVikings, old and new, will provide unforgettable entertainment through songs, skits andwhatever other hidden talents lie within this great organization. Think you have nothingto offer? Think again! Everyone is encouraged to play a role. To confirm your place on theevent playbill, e-mail Tessa Michaelson at Tessa.Michaelson@gmail.com to register yourperformance.Sunday, September 21, 2008Farewell Brunch at The Concourse HotelDress: Casual (indoor)Concourse Hotel1 West Dayton Street, Madison9:00–11:00 a.m.Hosts: Hannah Kirking and Tessa MichaelsonThe 2008 Brittingham Viking Convention will officially conclude with a scrumptiousbrunch at the Concourse Hotel. There will be an amazing array of brunch items andhugs to go around as we wish our good-byes to one another until we meet again nextyear in Denmark.AccommodationsA block of rooms for the BVO Convention has been reserved at each of the followinglocations. Please refer to the “BVO Reunion” when making your reservation.The Lowell Inn and Conference CenterUniversity of Wisconsin-Extension610 Langdon StreetMadison, WI 53703-1104Front Desk: 608-256-2621Reservations (Toll Free): 866-301-1753Fax: 608-262-5445TTY: 800-947-3529www.conferencing.uwex.edu/lowell.cfmE-mail: lowell@ecc.uwex.eduThe Madison Concourse Hotel1 West Dayton StreetMadison, WI 53703Reservations (Toll free): 800-356-8293fax: 608-257-5280www.concoursehotel.comNote: Transportation to and from Dane County Regional Airport may be available.Please ask about shuttle transfers when reserving your room.Questions? Please contact the Wisconsin Alumni Association’sRebecca Fichtner at BeckyFichtner@uwalumni.com or toll free at (888) 947-2586.

Helpful Numbers and Web sitesThe following listing of Web sites and phone numbers may be helpful on your travels toMadison. If you have any other questions, your Viking hosts are happy to assist you inany way they can. Their names and e-mail addresses are listed at the end of this document.You may also find information about your hosts online at uwalumni.com/bvo.Van Galder Bus Service to and from Chicago O’Hare Airportwww.coachusa.com/vangalderBadger Cab Taxi Service608-256-5566www.badgercab.comDane County Regional Airportwww.msnairport.comGreater Madison Convention and Visitors BureauMaps of the city and information about all that Madison has to offer can befound at www.visitmadison.com.Brittingham Family HistoryPater familias Thomas Evans Brittingham was born in 1860 in Missouri. After havingfinished his studies, he spent some time in Colorado and California before finallysettling in Wisconsin in 1885 where he co-founded the Brittingham and Hixon LumberCompany. Thomas Brittingham served as the company’s president, guiding its expansioninto a chain of 24 lumberyards in several states — one of the largest retail lumberyardchains in the country.Thomas and his wife, Mary Clark Brittingham, had lived in three different houses nearthe UW-Madison campus in the first decade or so of their marriage, but had always beenlooking for a more permanent residence. When they finally found a beautiful spot in theHighlands where in 1916, they had prominent Madison architect Frank Riley designthem a grand Georgian-style home, which they named “Dunmuven.”Although the Brittinghams loved to entertain and travel — eventually visiting over 30countries and 20 states, they had a strong social consciousness, which compelled themto contribute time and resources to the city and university. The Brittingham name isscattered throughout Madison: Brittingham Park, the Brittingham Gallery at theChazen Museum and on the statue of Abraham Lincoln atop Bascom Hill.Thomas and Mary Brittingham had three children: Margaret in 1892, Harold Hixon in1894, and Thomas Evans, Jr. in 1899. As adults, all three Brittingham children steeredthe University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Brittingham Fund established by the wills of theirparents, but Thomas Evans Brittingham, Jr. was both the most active and the most publicin managing the fund.

Under the supervision of Tom Jr. and his wife Margaret Cummins (Peg), the BrittinghamFund supported both the arts and the sciences. Tom Brittingham’s vision for his family’smoney included the Viking Program, a scholarship program for Scandinavian students,which he began in 1952.Thomas Brittingham, Jr., died suddenly of a heart attack in 1960. In his honor, theBrittingham Vikings students he had supported placed a stone in gratitude for allhe had given them. Translated, this 250-pound Swedish runestone — traditionallycreated to honor a lost leader — reads: “To a good friend the way is not long, thoughhe be far away.”The convention heritage tour will allow those who have benefited so much from theBrittingham family’s largesse to remember with gratitude their vision and ongoing generosity,to reflect on the bonds underpinning the BVO, and acknowledge the international andintergenerational ripples that continue to propel Tom Jr.’s inspired idea forward.Your 2008 Viking HostsTessa MichaelsonMadison Viking, 2004tessa.michaelson@gmail.comBeth KublyHonorary Vikingbkubly@earthlink.netHannah KirkingMadison Viking 2005hlkirking@wisc.eduEmily SternMadison Viking, 2007elstern@uwalumni.comNicole RybeckMadison Ehrnrooth Viking, 2008rybeck@wisc.eduPete HolmgrenMadison Viking, 2006peholmgren@wisc.eduJenny WoyakEhrnrooth Viking, 2005j_woyak@hotmail.comCorey HadeMadison Ehrnrooth Viking, 2007hade@wisc.eduThis event is sponsored by the Wisconsin Alumni Association.