overcoming adversity and achieving dreams through higher education
We are delighted to announce that this month Baron joins us as a senior, tenured professor with a joint appointment between the Odyssey Project and the UW Department of Theatre and Drama. For Baron, this new appointment represents a return to the university where he earned his PhD in theater. He also holds a diploma …
The UW Odyssey Project, First Unitarian Society, and MOSES Team invite you to a viewing of College Behind Bars, a film by Lynn Novick, as part of the First Friday Film Series on August 7 at 6:30 p.m. Join us as we “explore the transformative power of education through the eyes of a dozen incarcerated men and women trying …
Brian Benford, Odyssey Class of 2007, survived cancer, raised five children, and battled poverty as he journeyed toward degrees and a career. Although the pandemic robbed him of the chance to walk across a stage in cap and gown to mark earning his master’s in social work from UW–Madison this May, he describes his joy …
For the first time in Odyssey’s history, we are beginning a new online-only class. The challenges are immense, as we will be working to create a warm community and life-changing effects without in-person discussions, hugs, performances, field trips, and shared meals. From securing laptops, stipends for Wi‑Fi access and food, child-care assistance and enrichment through …
During insecure times, we are thrilled to announce a $3 million endowment to help secure Odyssey’s future. The endowment is named after Emily’s mother, Wanda, who made it out of dire poverty through her love of reading and a free college education. “Through her walk of poverty and courage to rise above, Wanda Auerbach knew what it …
From London to Seattle to Austin, comments poured in from Odyssey supporters who watched our first-ever online graduation ceremony last month: “You pulled the rabbit out of the hat and created magic under the direst circumstances.” “Your beautiful and amazing Odyssey 2020 graduates addressed the camera with such confidence and poise.” “This wonderful graduation ceremony …
Mustafa Mohammed Saed (pictured above, far right) watched his sister and fellow Odyssey 2016 classmate Umaima (third from left) graduate from UW–Madison in December, wearing cap and gown and walking across the stage at a crowded ceremony. Chancellor Becky Blank singled out Umaima and her family for their courage in fleeing from war-torn Iraq. Just one semester …
Odyssey made history on May 6 with its joyous, first-ever online graduation ceremony. Read our blog about the ceremony here. We’ll share graduation highlights in our June newsletter; in the meantime find NBC 15 coverage, student readings, and more on our website. Dauntrea Vance says her life changed when she was only eight years old and accompanied …
In-person, lively, Socratic discussions in a classroom filled with laughter, shared meals, and plentiful hugs have been at the heart of Odyssey classes for 17 years. What should we do in a pandemic? How can we connect with students at the poverty level lacking computers? After delivering rented laptops and food to those in need …
During December’s University of Wisconsin–Madison graduation ceremony at the Kohl Center, Chancellor Becky Blank singled out Umaima and her family for special mention (watch the video here). A refugee from Iraq, Umaima graduated from the UW Odyssey Project in 2016 with her mother and brother, also at UW now, while her younger siblings attended Odyssey Junior. …