Odyssey Events

Join fellow booklovers and UW English professor Emily Auerbach for a lively discussion of two powerful books focused on resilience. Classes meet on Tuesdays in the South Madison Community Room at 2300 S. Park St. (free and accessible parking) from 10-11:30 AM, with coffee and snacks served starting at 9:30 AM. This program is offered free, but with hope that participants will donate to the life-changing UW Odyssey Project, a free jumpstart course in the humanities for adults facing barriers to higher education. Find details for the Spring 2025 sessions below:

Tuesday, March 4: Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel (2022)

This novel, acclaimed for its originality and humor, features Elizabeth Zott, a female scientist treated with sexism by her peers. Described as a “chemistry whiz, single mother, and outspoken atheist,” Elizabeth unexpectedly becomes a 1950s TV star whose Supper at Six show empowers women to change not only their cooking but also their lives. Elizabeth says, “Cooking is chemistry. Chemistry is life. Your ability to change everything – including yourself – starts here.”

Tuesday, April 22: Percival Everett, James: A Novel (2024)

Explore the classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn reimagined from the standpoint of Jim, the slave Huck helps escape. The author notes of his highly successful work, “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the source of my novel. I hope that I have written the novel that Twain did not and also could not have written. I do not view the work as a corrective, but rather I see myself in conversation with Twain.”

REGISTRATION LINK: If you plan to attend Tuesday Morning Booktalks this spring, please register below (even though free) so we know how much food to order and how many handouts to make.

Register here

Questions about Tuesday Morning Booktalks? Contact Professor Emily Auerbach at emily.auerbach@wisc.edu.

UW-Madison’s Day of the Badger is a spirited day of giving that unites alumni, friends, and students to strengthen the university and ensure future generations enjoy the same level of educational excellence.

This year marks Odyssey’s fourth year participating in #DayoftheBadger and Odyssey families need your support now more than ever! The award-winning UW Odyssey Project, now in its 22nd year, expands the UW–Madison experience to a wider and more diverse population and addresses racial and economic inequities through its unique (and free!) humanities programs. Your support provides educational programming and wraparound services to Odyssey students, alumni, and whole families so they can stay on their educational paths. Your gift truly changes lives.

Who: You!

When: April 8-9, 2025

Where: online HERE

You are cordially invited to attend the inspiring and memorable graduation ceremony for students of the UW Odyssey Project Class of 2025! Please join Odyssey staff, alumni, and supporters in celebrating students’ successful completion of six UW credits following two semesters studying challenging works of literature, American history, art history, and philosophy.

This event will be HYBRID, so please feel free to join us in-person at Memorial Union in Great Hall or online via Zoom! Register below to receive up-to-date information regarding this event. Heavy appetizers and refreshments will be provided following the ceremony. We hope to see you there!

Who: This event is free and open to the public!

When: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 6-7:30 PM

Where: This is a hybrid event and will be both in-person (Great Hall in Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.) and shown via Zoom:

Zoom link coming soon!

Register here!