Events

Matt Villeneuve of Turtle Mountain Chippewa descent, is Assistant Professor of U.S. History and Native American and Indigenous Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he teaches courses in American Indian History, Native education, and environmental history. His research focuses on Native histories of education and schooling. Matt will present on one type of school that has been largely overlooked for over a hundred years: Indian Boarding Schools. Supported by the federal government, there were nearly a dozen such schools which worked to separate Indigenous families, eliminate language, and enact cultural replacement. This talk will offer a brief sketch of the history of Wisconsin's Indian Boarding schools and gesture towards current efforts to seek truth and healing in the wake of these deeply impactful institutions and showcase the strength and resilience of Wisconsin's Native nations. 

Join John Patterson, a 27-year veteran of the Madison Police Department and the Acting Chief of Police, as he discusses his vision for the Madison Police Department. Chief Patterson will speak on the challenges and the opportunities of his role, his commitment to enhancing police-community interactions and collaborations, and fostering transparency.

Jim Berkenstadt, aka the Rock And Roll Detective, is a local bestselling author of nonfiction, popular music history and mystery books. He will be speaking about his past work as a musical consultant to The Beatles, and other groups, as well as his film documentary work. Berkenstadt will also delve into his two recent award-winning, mystery bestsellers, The Beatle Who Vanished: 60th Beatles Anniversary Tour and Mysteries in the Music: Case Closed. 

From welding labs to health clinics, culinary kitchens to art studios—Madison College is a place of endless discovery. Join Dr. Berne for a behind-the-scenes look at how the college is shaping futures and strengthening our community.

Dr. Jasmine Zapata is an award winning author, national speaker, double board certified physician, visionary public health leader, business pioneer, and mother of four. In addition to practicing in the hospital and holding statewide physician leadership roles, she is passionate about stepping outside of the clinic walls to explore upstream and innovative approaches to improving birth outcomes for all. Zapata’s many lived experiences help her uniquely connect with the communities she serves, and she is well known for her infectious energy, passionate advocacy, and heart for service.

In her presentation, Dr. Zapata will share the gripping details of her own daughter’s premature birth at 25 weeks gestation and the life threatening complications that came after. She will share how her birth story tremendously shaped her career trajectory and what she is doing on a personal and professional level to combat black infant mortality in Wisconsin. She will challenge listeners to reflect on what role they play in the current infant mortality crisis and what things that they can do in both traditional and non-traditional ways to improve it. This session will be a mix of storytelling, self reflection, and fireside chat style Q/A. Join us! 

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum turns 125 years old on April 5, 2026. As always, the museum team works to preserve, interpret, and affirm the role of Wisconsinites in service to the United States armed forces. This talk will give an overview of the museum's history, activities, and plans for the future. 

In honor of Rabbi Manfred Swarsensky, Rotarian Lester Pines will share history about the Rabbi and how Rabbi Swarsensky worked to repair the world, through kindness, respect, generosity and charity.