MADISON, Wis. — Founders' Day celebrates the first day of classes at UW-Madison. On Feb. 5, 1849 twenty students gathered at UW's temporary quarters near the Wisconsin State Capitol for the university's first classes.

Now, Wisconsin Alumni Association chapters around the world host special Founders' Day celebrations every year to commemorate this milestone.

What You Need To Know

  • The very first classes at the University of Wisconsin gathered on Feb. 5, 1849

  • There were 20 students at UW's temporary quarters near the Capitol on that first day 

  • Wisconsin Alumni chapters around the world host special Founders' Day celebrations every year

  • The university has 480,000 alumni all over the world

That season stretches from February to May; a way to celebrate how UW has changed lives since that first day. 

Sarah Schutt, executive director for the Wisconsin Alumni Association, called the 175th anniversary an “incredibly special milestone” for UW-Madison.

“I think it shows the commitment of the state to sustaining the university and it shows just the incredible work by faculty, researchers, stakeholders and of course the impact of our alumni to keep the university a global, excellent place and a beacon for people in the state, as well as a really big source of pride for alumni all over the world,” Schutt told us.

The university has 480,000 alumni across the globe, according to Schutt. She said they recognize the positive impact of the university and how it can “positively change the world and make society a better place.”

Watch the full interview above.